HTML: Web's Backbone
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It's the standard language for creating web pages. Unlike programming languages, it structures content and is the foundation of all websites.
The Birth of HTML
HTML was conceived by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991. Originally, it was designed to share documents with colleagues at CERN. It has since evolved into a complex language with many versions.
HTML vs Programming Languages
Unlike programming languages that perform complex operations, HTML is a markup language that determines how to display web page elements like text, images, and links.
Evolution: HTML5
HTML5, released in 2014, is the latest major version. It brought significant improvements, such as native audio and video support, without needing plugins like Flash.
HTML and Browsers
Web browsers interpret HTML code to display web pages. Each browser might render HTML slightly differently, leading to cross-browser compatibility challenges for developers.
HTML's Role in SEO
Proper use of HTML tags and structure improves SEO, helping search engines understand and rank content. Tags like header, title, and meta play crucial roles.
Surprising HTML Facts
The first version of HTML had only 18 tags, with many since deprecated. HTML also helped inspire XML, a tool for defining custom markup languages.