Basic HTML

What are HTML Files?

Just when I started to think that I could get some work done, Aria runs in, leaps into the empty box sat next to me, does a huge yawn and stares at me as I sit down. Ignoring her isn’t really an option, as anyone who has an attention seeking cat will know. So I take the direct approach and ask her what’s the matter.

So are we ready to start speaking Hutumelle yet?

I told you, it’s an acronym so you say each of the letters: HTML

Also you don’t speak it you write it and save it on a computer.

But it’s a language, don’t you speak it?

Nope. But once you understand what HTML is you can read and understand it.

HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language which is a mouthful and so is shortened to the acronym. It’s a language because there are a specific set of words which mean specific things. Just like any language, the words need to be written in the right way or they can be misunderstood, just like how commas, full stops and capital letters make the English language easier to understand.

HTML Describes What Is In A Page. Like Aria In A Box

As we talked about before, HTML is used to describe what is in each webpage, like how you might describe that a cat is in the box in the picture shown above. You may want to include some text, an image, a video or a few buttons, each of which is called a HTML element.

Each paragraph and each image and each button are all separate HTML elements and they come in many varieties. Just like cat food sachets, each sachet is separate from the others and comes in many flavours. Instead of beef, tuna or salmon, in HTML you have text, images or buttons.

There is also no reason why you can’t have several of the same element on one webpage, just as you get several of the same flavour in a box of cat food.

You Can Have Duplicate Elements Just Like Duplicate Flavours In A Box

HTML code is saved into HTML files which all have a file name which ends with .html. Homepage.html, introduction.html and feedback.html are all valid and correct HTML file names.

What about: the best places to doze.html?

No. If you use several words you should use - to connect the words.

You can’t have spaces.

So the-best-cat.html is fine?

Yes, sure.

And so is dogs-are-bad.html?

Well, the filename is fine but I’m not sure it’s fair.

You’re on thin ice here.

Try out your own filenames in the box below:

All the HTML elements you want to show on your web page are contained in the HTML file for that page. Aria might have a biography of herself full of text saved in about-me.html and all the HTML elements required to show her favourite pictures of herself saved in my-selfies.html.