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HTML Get Started

Getting started with HTML is simple. HTML files are just plain text documents that you can create and edit with any text editor. To view your results, open the file in a web browser. As you progress, you can switch to more robust tools and workflows, adding live preview and version control to your development process.

Key Topics

Basic Setup

Example: Create a file named index.html and add a minimal HTML structure. Then open it in a web browser by double-clicking the file.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>My First Page</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Hello, World!</h1>
    <p>This is my first HTML page.</p>
</body>
</html>

Tools for Development

  • Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac): Simple text editors come pre-installed. Just ensure you save as .html files.
  • Visual Studio Code (VS Code): A popular, free code editor with syntax highlighting, extensions, and integrated terminals.
  • Atom, Sublime Text: Other editors with advanced features.

Live Preview and Extensions

Once you start using an editor like VS Code, you can install extensions for live preview:

  • Live Server (VS Code): Launch a local development server with one click, auto-refreshing your page as you edit.
  • Browser DevTools: Inspect elements, test CSS changes, and debug JavaScript directly in the browser.

This workflow speeds up development by removing the need to manually refresh the browser after every change.

Sample HTML Example

Here’s a quick example you can try with Live Server. Save this as index.html, then right-click in VS Code and choose "Open with Live Server" to see changes instantly:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Live Server Demo</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Developing with Live Server</h1>
    <p>Edit this paragraph in VS Code, and see the update instantly in your browser!</p>
</body>
</html>

Explanation: With Live Server running, when you modify the paragraph text, the browser updates automatically, streamlining the development process.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with a basic text editor and a browser—no special software needed.
  • As you grow, switch to editors like VS Code for advanced features and productivity boosts.
  • Use Live Server or similar tools for instant previews and faster iteration.
  • HTML development relies on a simple file structure and direct browser rendering.
  • Gradually add more tools, version control (Git), and frameworks as your skills develop.
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