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The basics of web development consist of three main technologies: HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) and JavaScript. Together, they form the foundation for the design and functionality of websites.
HTML: Structure and content
HTML is the markup language used to define the content and structure of a website. HTML is used to create various elements such as headings, paragraphs, links, images and forms. Each element is characterized by so-called tags that enclose the content. A simple HTML code could look like this, for example:
<!DOCTYPE html><html><head> <title>My first website</title></head><body> <h1>Welcome to my website</h1> <p>This is a sample text.</p></body></html>
In this example, <h1> represents a heading and <p> a paragraph. HTML therefore ensures that the content of a page is logically structured.
CSS: Design and Layout
While HTML defines the structure of a website, CSS defines the design and layout. CSS makes it possible to control colors, fonts, spacing, frames and much more. A website is designed using style sheets, which can either be embedded directly in the HTML document or referenced as an external file.
A simple CSS example could look like this:
h1 { color: blue; font-size: 24px;}p { color: gray; line-height: 1.5;}
This CSS changes the color of the heading to blue and displays the text in the paragraph in grey. CSS is extremely flexible and offers extensive options for adapting the layout, e.g. by using flexbox or grid systems to create responsive designs.
JavaScript: Interactivity and functionality
JavaScript is a programming language that enables dynamic and interactive elements on websites. While HTML and CSS control the basic presentation and layout, JavaScript comes into play to add additional functionalities, such as:
- Validation of forms
- Animated content
- Showing and hiding elements
- Dynamic content that reacts to user actions
A simple example for JavaScript could look like this:
document.querySelector('h1').addEventListener('click', function() { alert('You clicked on the headline!');});
In this example, a notification is displayed when the headline is clicked. JavaScript can significantly improve the user experience by adding interactive features.
Interaction of the three technologies
A well-developed website uses HTML, CSS and JavaScript together to provide an optimal user experience. HTML provides the logical structure and accessibility of the content, CSS makes the page attractive and visually appealing, while JavaScript ensures interactivity and dynamism.
Best practices for beginners
- Clean structure: Start with a well-structured HTML framework and use semantic tags.
- Separation of layout and logic: Use external stylesheets for CSS and external JavaScript files to keep the code clear.
- Responsive design: Use techniques such as flexbox and media queries to display the website well on different devices.
- Progressive enhancement: Ensure that the website remains usable even without JavaScript or with deactivated CSS functions.
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