What is HTML?
HTML are initials that stand for HyperText Mark-up Language.
(Computer
people love initials and acronyms--you'll be talking acronyms ASAP in no
time). Let me break it down for you:
- Hyper is the opposite of linear. It use to be that
computer programs had to move in a linear fashion. This before
this...this before this...and so on. HTML does not hold
to that pattern and allows the person viewing the World Wide Web page to
go anywhere, anytime they want.
- text is what you will use, real, honest to goodness
English letters.
- Mark-up is what you will do. You will write in plain
English and then mark-up what you wrote. More to come on that in
the next Primer.
- Language because they needed something that started
with "L" to finish HTML and Hypertext Mark-up Louie didn't flow
correctly. Because it's a language, really - but the language is in plain English.
Beginning to Write
You will actually begin to write HTML starting with
Primer #2.
That's tomorrow if you follow the seven day plan this was written
for. Here I want to tell you how you will go about the
process.
You will write the HTML document on the Word Processor,
or Notepad, WordPad, or Simple Text. When you are finished creating the HTML document,
you'll then open the
document in a browser, like Netscape Navigator. The browser will interpret the HTML commands
for you and display the Web page.
Now, some people who are already schooled in HTML are
going to jump up and down and yell that you should be using an
HTML assistant program because it makes it easier.
That's true, but it also makes it harder to learn as the program does
half the work for you. Take my word for it, use the word
processor for a week, then go to the assistant if you still want to use one.
You'll be far better off for the effort. I have been writing HTML for six years and I still
use Notepad for the bulk of my writing.
Let's get into the programs you will use to write your HTML document.
Keep this in mind: HTML documents must be text only. When you save an HTML document, you must save
only the text, nothing else.
The reason I am pushing NotePad, WordPad, and Simple Text is that
they save in text-only format without your doing any additional work. They just do it.
But, if you're like me, then you will want to start writing on a word processor, like WORD, or
WordPerfect. Maybe you're just more comfortable on it. If so, read this next part carefully.
The Word Processor
When you write to the word processor you will need to follow
a few steps:
1. Write the page as you would any other document.
2. When you go to save the document (Here's the trick),
ALWAYS choose SAVE AS.
3. When the SAVE AS box pops up, you will need to save the
page in a specific format. Look at the SAVE AS dialogue box when it pops up,
there will be somewhere, usually at the bottom, where you will
be able to change the file format.
4. If you have a PC, save your
document as ASCII TEXT DOS or just TEXT. Either one will work.
5. If you have a MAC, save your document as
TEXT
6. When I started writing HTML, I saved pages by assigning every web page
it's own floppy disc. It just helped me keep it all straight, but if you want
to save right to you hard drive, do it. I only offer the floppy disc premise as a
suggestion.
Please remember! It is very important to choose
"SAVE AS" EVERY
time you save your document. If you don't, the program won't
save as TEXT, but rather in its default format. In layman's terms--use
SAVE AS or screw up your document.
You see, when you save you document in WORD, or some other word
processor format, other than text, you are saving much more than just the letters on the page.
You're saving the margin settings, the tab settings, specific fonts, and a whole lot of other
setting the page needs to be displayed correctly. You don't want all of that. You just want
the text.
NotePad, WordPad, and SimpleText already save in text-only
format so if you use one of them as your word processor, you'll get the correct format simply
by saving your document.
How To Name Your Document
What you name your document is very important. You must first
give your document a name and then add a suffix to it. That's the way everything
works in HTML. You give a name and then a suffix.
Follow this format to name your document.
1. Choose a name. Anything. If you have a PC not
running Windows 95, you are limited to 8 letters however.
2. Add a suffix. For all HTML documents, you will add
either ".htm" or ".html".
".htm" for PC's running Windows 3.x and ".html" for MAC and Windows 95/98 Machines
Example:
I am looking to name a document I just wrote on a PC running
Windows 3.11 for workgroups.
I want to name the document "fred".
Thus the document must be named
"fred.htm". If it was a MAC or Windows 95/98 you would name it
"fred.html". Please notice the dot (period) before .htm and
.html. And no quotation marks, I just put them in here to set
the name apart.
Uhhhhhh....Why do I do That?
Glad you asked. It's a thing called "association". It's how
computers tell different file types apart. ".html" tells the computer
that this file is an HTML document. When we get into graphics,
you'll see a different suffix. All files used on the Web will follow the format of
"name.suffix. " Always.
OK, Why .htm for PC's running Windows 3.x and .html for MAC and Windows 95/98?
Because that's the way the operating systems are made.
(Windows 3.x, Windows 95/98, and MAC OS are all technically called operating systems)
Windows 3.x only allows 3 letters
after the dot. MAC OS and Windows 95/98 allow four, or more.
Your browser allows for both
suffixes. It acts upon .html and .htm in the same fashion.
Why do you keep harping on the fact that I must save in TEXT only?
You're just full of questions. You see, HTML browsers can only
read text. Look at your keyboard. See the letters and numbers and little signs
like % and @ and *? There's 128 in all. Read upper and lower case letters as two.
That's text. That's what the browser
reads. It simply doesn't understand anything else.
If you'd like to test this theory, then go ahead and create an
HTML document and save it in WORD. Then try an open it in your browser. Nothing will happen.
Go ahead and try it. You won't hurt anything.
Remember that if you are using Notepad, Wordpad or Simple Text, the document will be saved as
text with no extra prompting. Just choose "save."
Opening the Document in the Browser
Once you have your HTML document on the floppy disc or your hard drive, you'll need to
open it up in the browser. It's easy enough. Since you're using a
browser to look at this Primer, follow along.
1. Under the FILE Menu at the very top left of this screen, you'll
find OPEN, or OPEN FILE, OPEN DOCUMENT or words to that effect.
2. Click on it. Some browsers give you the dialogue box that allows you
to find your document right away.
Internet Explorer, and later versions of Netscape Navigator, require you to click on a BROWSE
button or
OPEN FILE button to get the dialogue box. When the dialogue box opens up, switch to the
A:\ drive (or the floppy disc for MAC users) and open your document. If you saved the
file to your hard drive, get it from there.
3. You might have to then click an OK button. The browser will do the rest.
One More Thing
You easily have enough to keep you occupied for the first
day. Don't worry, the Primers get less wordy after this.
If you are going to start writing HTML, I suggest you make
a point of
learning to look at other author's HTML pages. You say you're
already doing that, right? Maybe. What I mean is for you to
look at the HTML document a person wrote to present the page you are looking at.
Don't look at the pretty page, look behind it at the HTML document.
Why Would I Do That?
Because you can...but seriously folks. Let's say you run into
a page that has a real neat layout, or a fancy text pattern, or a
strange grouping of pictures. You'd like to know how to do it.
Well, look, I'm not telling you to steal anything, but let's be
honest, if you see some landscaping you like, you're going to use
the idea. If you see a room layout you like, you will use the
idea to help yourself. That's the point of looking at another
page's HTML document. I think it's also the best way to learn HTML. In fact I am self
taught in HTML simply by looking at other's documents. It was the long way around, believe me.
You're going to have a much easier time of it with these Primers.
Here's how you look at an HTML document (known as the "source code"):
1. When you find a page you like, Click on VIEW at the top
of the screen.
2. Choose DOCUMENT SOURCE from the menu. Sometimes is only reads SOURCE.
3. The HTML Document will appear on the screen.
4. Go Ahead. Try it with this page. Click on VIEW and then
choose the SOURCE.
It's going to look like chicken-scratch right now, but by the end
of the week, it'll be readable and you'll be able to find
exactly how a certain HTML presentation was performed.
It's a little different on AOL
Those of you who use AOL can also see the source. You can do it
by placing your pointer on the page, off of an image and clicking the right mouse button.
MAC users should click and hold. A small menu should pop up.
One of the items will allow you the ability to view the source.
That's the Primer for today. Print it out if you'd like and get ready to delve in and
write your first HTML document. See you tomorrow.
On to Primer
#2
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