Approx. read time: 2.2 min.
Post: HTML, CSS, & JavaScript: Essentials of Web Development
Lesson: Introduction to Web Development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Overview
Welcome to the journey into web development! In this lesson, you’ll explore the three cornerstone technologies of the web: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These technologies work together to build visually appealing and interactive websites.
Section 1: Understanding HTML – The Structure of the Web
What is HTML?
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the backbone of all web pages. It defines the structure and layout of a web document by using a variety of tags and elements.
Key HTML Tags
<!DOCTYPE html>
: Declares the HTML version.<html>
: Root of an HTML document.<head>
: Contains metadata, like the document title.<body>
: Visible page content.<h1>
to<h6>
: Headings.<p>
: Paragraphs.<a>
: Links.<img>
: Images.<div>
,<span>
: Containers for content.
Example: Simple HTML Page
Section 2: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) – Styling the Web
What is CSS?
CSS enhances the visual presentation of HTML elements. It allows you to style fonts, colors, layout, and spacing.
Key CSS Concepts
-
Selectors: Define which HTML elements to style.
-
Properties: Define what aspect to change (e.g., color, font-size).
-
Values: Specify the value for a property.
Example: Styling with CSS
You can place CSS inside a <style>
tag in the <head>
or link to an external .css
file.
Section 3: JavaScript – Adding Interactivity
What is JavaScript?
JavaScript is a scripting language that adds interactivity to web pages. It can modify content, validate forms, create animations, and more.
Basic JavaScript Example
You can trigger JavaScript functions with events like onclick
, onload
, etc.
Section 4: Bringing It All Together
Example: Full Interactive Page
Final Assignment
Task:
Create a personal profile web page that includes:
-
A heading with your name.
-
A short bio paragraph.
-
A button that changes the content of the bio.
-
CSS styling for font, background color, and text color.
Example Starter Code:
Answer Key
Expected Elements:
-
HTML structure with
<!DOCTYPE html>
,<html>
,<head>
, and<body>
. -
A heading element like
<h1>
. -
A paragraph with an
id
(e.g.,id="bio"
). -
A button with an
onclick
attribute. -
Embedded CSS using a
<style>
tag. -
A JavaScript function that updates the paragraph content using
innerHTML
.