HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language for creating and structuring web pages. It defines web page elements through tags and provides structure and meaning for content. 1. HTML is not a programming language and does not perform logic or calculations; 2. It serves as the skeleton of web pages, the basis for supporting styles (CSS) and interactions (JavaScript); 3. The correct use of HTML helps to improve website accessibility, SEO optimization and cross-browser compatibility; 4. Learning HTML only requires a text editor and browser, and the entry threshold is low; 5. Mastering HTML helps to deeply understand the operating principles of web pages and improve control over website layout and content.
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, and it's the standard language used to create and structure web pages. It's not a programming language — it doesn't "run" logic or calculations — but rather it gives structure and meaning to content on the web. Without HTML, a browser wouldn't know how to display text as paragraphs, headings, images, links, or any other type of content you see on websites.

The Basics: What Does HTML Do?
HTML works by using tags to define elements on a webpage. These tags tell browsers how to interpret and display content. For example:

-
<p></p>
defines a paragraph -
<h1></h1>
through<h6></h6>
define different levels of headings -
<a></a>
creates a hyperlink -
<img src="/static/imghw/default1.png" data-src="https://img.php.cn/upload/article/000/000/000/175217285630671.jpeg" class="lazy" alt="What is HTML and why is it important?" >
embeds an image
These elements combine to form the basic structure of any website. Think of HTML as the skeleton of a webpage — without it, there's no foundation for style (CSS) or interaction (JavaScript).
Why HTML Matters for Web Development
Even with all the modern tools and frameworks out there, HTML remains essential because it powers the core structure of every site. Here's why that matters:

- Accessibility : Proper use of HTML helps make websites accessible to screen readers and other assistive technologies.
- SEO-Friendly Content : Search engines rely heavily on HTML tags like
<title></title>
,<meta>
, and heading structures to understand and rank pages. - Cross-Browser Compatibility : Well-written HTML ensures your content displays consistently across different browsers and devices.
If you're building a website — whether you're coding from scratch or using a CMS like WordPress — understanding HTML gives you more control over layout, formatting, and how content is interpreted by machines.
You Don't Need Much to Get Started With HTML
One of the great things about HTML is that it's beginner-friendly. All you need is a text editor (like Notepad or VS Code) and a browser to preview your work. There's no complicated setup or installation required.
Here's a very simple HTML example to try yourself:
<!DOCTYPE html> <html> <head> <title>My First Page</title> </head> <body> <h1>Hello, world!</h1> <p>This is my first HTML page.</p> </body> </html>
Just save that as index.html
and open it in a browser. You'll see a basic webpage with a heading and a paragraph. From there, you can start experimenting with lists, links, images, and more.
Learning HTML opens the door to understanding how the web works at a fundamental level. It's not flashy or complex, but it's absolutely necessary for anyone interested in web development, design, or even just tweaking their own blog.
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