Lesson #04 Understanding HTML Tags
Written By C-Pimp

Before we get to the good stuff and actually start creating pages, I want to give you the rundown on what HTML tags are and how they work. Understanding them is essential.

I. What’s in an HTML Document?

An HTML document consists of two elements. First off, there is the text that is viewable by anyone that accesses your page online. Then there's the actual HTML tags tiny bits of text codes within brackets) that allow you to format text, display images, sounds and links on your pages.

The Internet Browser interprets all the text and HTML tags which makeup the document and displays them accordingly for the viewer to see.

II. Tags In Pairs

These types of tags are used in pairs and usually consist of a "Start" and "End" tag. The "Start" tag is placed prior to the text and/or object you want the Tag to be applied to. The "End" tag is placed at the end of your text and/or object to end the respective attribute. Confusing? It's quite simple really. Here is an example that should clear things up:

The first tag (known as the start tag) applies the function of the tag to whatever is following it. The second tag (the end tag) is placed at the end of your text and/or object and indicates the end of the applied function. Everything in between both tags, whether it be text or an image, will be affected by the tag in question.

Both tags are the same except for the forward slash ( / ) in the end tag which symbolizes the end of a tag.

HTML tags always BEGIN with a "<" bracket and end with a ">" bracket. This goes for every single HTML tag you will use to create your pages. Forgetting to place either of the brackets will really screw up the way your page will look.

All tags start with: <
All tags close with: >

When you incorporate this code into your HTML document, the text placed between the BOLD start tag and the end tag will appear in BOLD, that's what the surfer will actually see! Always remember to include the forward slash ( / ) in your end tag.

III. Tag-Team Tags!

What do I mean by Tag-Team tags? Here is a quick brief!

Basically, multiple HTML tags can be used at once to format text or affect an object in your document. Here is a quick example of using the Bold (<B>) and Underline (<U>) tags on the same text at the same time.

The text in the example above will appear underlined AND in bold when viewed from a web browser. Both START tags are placed before the text and an END tag for each START tag is placed after the text to end both actions.

IV. In Closing…

If you still feel confused or overwhelmed - take a deep breathe. Go back to the top of the page a re-read it as many times as you need to. Stay positive and keep moving forward. In the coming lessons, all of the above will become as clear as day!

When you begin working with tags at first, you WILL make simple mistakes that might become frustrating when your pages don't look like you want them to look. Two of the most common mistakes are forgetting to place an END tag after an action is set in motion, or forgetting to place the forward slash in the end tag.

You can’t really make any serious mistakes in HTML, especially when starting out with simple codes. Just preview your work with your browser every step of the way to see how your work looks. Make the proper changes according to what you see. With a little practice, you'll be making pages in no time! Granted they will be quite simple at first, but you need to start somewhere!