Being a computer programmer usually means that you can expect open job positions anytime while also sustaining your own tech-related needs sufficiently. Indeed, even knowing the basics of computer programming can get you places you never thought of before.
But there are other reasons to get started with computer programming and coding. For instance, learning HTML can help you easily build your own website from scratch. Hence, here’s how to start learning HTML even as a beginner.
What Is HTML and Why Do You Need It?
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. To put it simply, it is a language used for writing websites and their web pages. HTML is somewhat like a backbone for websites making their pages functional and creating the structure of your website. In addition to HTML, you will need to use CSS (or Cascading Style Sheets). This is another language used for creating the visual look of your web pages.
Created in 1989, HTML was the invention of Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau among others. The latest version of HTML is HTML5. As you start learning HTML, you will likely realise that it isn’t as difficult as it may seem at first. It’s just a matter of building a strong foundation with basic HTML knowledge and then learning more about it as you go.
Organise Your Learning Process
Before you begin learning HTML, you should first think about organising your learning process. By having a schedule for your study sessions and considering all the learning materials you will be using, you will be able to get ready on time and organise yourself better. And, of course, by being organised, you will be able to manage your time much better, learning at a faster pace and getting other work done throughout the day swiftly.
In other words, organising your learning process will help you save a lot of time and effort while also streamlining your learning journey. After (or even before) you have chosen your courses and study materials, think about how often you can actually study. Aim for at least three to four hours a week and adjust your schedule accordingly. If you enrol on a course with a fixed schedule, you will also have to take this into account when making your schedule.
But how long will it take you to learn HTML properly? The good news is that you can grasp the basic elements of HTML in no more than a few hours. However, these are just the bare basics and no more than that. To truly understand HTML or even master its advanced elements, you will need to invest more time in learning theory and practising what you have learned. Practice is the keyword here – without it, you won’t be able to learn HTML properly.
Consider Other Things You Should Learn
As mentioned earlier, HTML is not the only thing you will need to use to create your website. There’s also CSS to think about because the two come together. As Veronica Hills professional essay writers review site puts it, “HTML lets you create the skeleton for your website while CSS builds on it creating the bones, the muscles, and everything else.”
Much like with HTML, CSS will require you a few hours to grasp the basics and then tons of practice to properly learn it. Luckily, many resources available to you for learning actually combine materials for HTML and CSS which means you can learn the two simultaneously. Alternatively, you can first seek out HTML resources and then move on to CSS once you are confident with using HTML.
Choose Your Learning Platform and Resources
So, how exactly can you start learning HTML? Well, you can buy a book, enrol in a university course… or you can start learning it yourself by finding relevant online courses or using online learning materials. Here are some options to consider:
- W3Schools is a website that covers the basics of such languages as HTML, CSS, Python, JavaScript, and others. There are examples and interactive tests available absolutely for free.
- freeCodeCamp is a free online course on HTML and CSS focusing on practice.
- Udacity is an e-learning platform where you can find free HTML and CSS courses taught by an instructor who will explain all the basics to you.
- Codecademy is one of the most popular platforms for learning HTML piece by piece and focusing on theory.
- HTML.com is a website for beginners who want to learn HTML. It has step-by-step tutorials guiding you through the foundations of the language.
HTML Editors You Can Use
Last but not least, as you study HTML, you will need to use an HTML editor. As experts from the best websites with custom writing reviews say, “Never use word processors for writing HTML code. Instead, use an HTML editor. Test what you’ve written in different browsers to see how your work varies depending on the browser you use.” Here are some HTML editor options to check out:
- Notepad++ is a very popular choice in the realm of HTML editors but it can also be used for other languages. It is a small program that offers the basic functions for you to write your code as clean as possible. It has a simple design preventing you from getting distracted and also has some plugin options for more functionality. In addition to that, it has a very handy autocomplete feature. However, Notepad++ isn’t supported by Mac computers and can be a bit difficult to get used to as a beginner.
- Sublime Text 3 is another popular HTML editor which is both free and available for multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. The best thing about this HTML editor is that it is quite user-friendly and has a number of customisation options while also having a visually appealing interface to look at. On the other hand, there is no toolbar or dashboard and you can’t print code or documents.
- Komodo Edit is another interesting option to check out. It is a free, open-source editor that supports multiple languages and offers different extensions. Komodo Edit is known for having a user-friendly interface and being supported on multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux). That being said, there is no default autocompletion and some of the settings are hard to find and change.
Final Thoughts
All in all, learning HTML definitely has a variety of benefits, no matter what job you are performing or how you will be applying your HTML knowledge. Whether you want to be a computer programmer, or you are a small business owner looking to build your own website, learning HTML is the way to go.
That being said, as you set out on your learning journey, you will need to follow a number of best practices to be successful in your endeavour. Use the tips in this article to help you start learning HTML.
