Web programming refers to the writing, markup and coding involved in Web development, which includes Web content, Web client and server scripting and network security. The most common languages used for Web programming are XML, HTML, JavaScript, Perl 5 and PHP. Web programming is different from just programming, which requires interdisciplinary knowledge on the application area, client and server scripting, and database technology.
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Techopedia explains Web Programming
Web programming can be briefly categorized into client and server coding. The client side needs programming related to accessing data from users and providing information. It also needs to ensure there are enough plug ins to enrich user experience in a graphic user interface, including security measures.
To improve user experience and related functionalities on the client side, JavaScript is usually used. It is an excellent client-side platform for designing and implementing Web applications.
HTML5 and CSS3 supports most of the client-side functionality provided by other application frameworks.
The server side needs programming mostly related to data retrieval, security and performance. Some of the tools used here include ASP, Lotus Notes, PHP, Java and MySQL. There are certain tools/platforms that aid in both client- and server-side programming. Some examples of these are Opa and Tersus.
The Programming Language Landscape
There’s a great deal of overlap in web development—fluid teams don’t work in silos. They’re versed in multiple technologies and know when and where to apply these skills to your project. The same goes for development languages—there’s a lot of repurposing and layering.
Your developer will know which language or framework to use and when. What you should know before you begin choosing software and languages is what these tools can do and when they’re best put to work. In certain situations, a really streamlined approach to picking software will work, like choosing a time-tested software stack, but other times, you’ll want to layer in languages and frameworks to address certain layers of your application.
Hiring based on a language won’t always be your focus, but having a core understanding of the following will make finding the perfect developer that much easier.
LANGUAGES FOR EVERY PART OF YOUR SITE: MARKUP LANGUAGES, CLIENT-SIDE SCRIPTS, AND SERVER-SIDE SCRIPTS
Which area of development do you need support for? Client-side scripting creates what users interact with on your site; server-side scripting is typically your site’s back-end development; database technology manages all the information on the server that supports a website; markup languages are the backbone of it all.
Site markup: HTML, CSS, and XML organize, style, and house the content of your site. Scripts and CSS files are embedded into the HTML file, and interact with the HTML elements to create an interactive site.
Client-side scripting: This code runs in a web browser and determines what your customers or clients will see when they land on your website. It gives a site functionality—anything from drop-down menus to animation.
Server-side scripting: This code executes on a web server and powers the behind-the-scenes mechanics of how a website works. It’s builds a site’s architecture and serves as a go-between with the database.
Database technology: It stores all the site data that’s requested, retrieved, and edited via scripts. It helps keep a website running smoothly and requires management and maintenance as a site evolves.
But just the idea of getting started in web design can be overwhelming. What do you really need to know? Should you learn to code? What tools do you have to have? How about managing clients?
Don’t worry! You can get going in digital design more easily than you can imagine. Just start with these foundational skills and you’ll soon be on your way to an amazing career on the Web.
Psst! You can learn ALL these skills in Skillcrush’s Web Designer Blueprint, an entirely online program designed to take you from zero to web designer in 3 months flat. Learn more here!
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TECH SKILLS
First, let’s find out about the technical side of what you need to know. All those strange acronyms and terms can seem intimidating, but they’re really pretty easy—and super fun!—once you get to know them.
1. VISUAL DESIGN
Seems pretty obvious that you need design to be a web designer. But what this includes when it comes to the digital realm might be different than what you expect. In this case, design principles are what sets the look and feel of a site. It ranges from proportions to typography, grid systems to color theory, and it’s your chance to dig into creating mood boards and type hierarchy and experimenting with web fonts and color palettes.
2. UX
Here come those funny abbreviations! UX stands for user experience, or how people feel (calm, frustrated, etc.) when they use a website. Of course you want the users of your sites to feel as happy as a puppy romping in a field of dandelions!
To do that, you’ll research your users and create “personas” (profiles of imaginary ideal users). You’ll lay out the pages and content with a site map. You’ll figure out the path users take on your site in user flows. For example, do they always click straight through to social media? Or are they just looking for contact information? And you’ll build wireframes to sketch out the key parts of each webpage.
3. DESIGN SOFTWARE
Like any craftsperson, to do your work, you’ll have to the right tools. And knowing your way around the industry standards will be helpful in any case and critical in many. While designing a site can be done right in a web browser now, tools like Photoshop and Sketch are ones that almost all designers use for important parts of their job like creating mockups, designing assets such as logos and images, and of course modifying and enhancing photos. So, you should get them in your toolbox too.
4. HTML
You might not have imagined that a web designer would need to code. But, nowadays, it’s an expected skill for most design jobs. And, hey, it’s a pretty easy way to get your tech on and actually build websites from scratch! HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, which is the coding language used to put content on a web page and give it structure. That means it’s how you turn a bunch of words into headlines, paragraphs, and footers. And it’s also how you get the “cool” content like photos, videos, and graphics on a website.
5. CSS
And then there’s HTML’s partner, CSS or Cascading Style Sheets. CSS is the code that tells browsers how to format and style HTML for a web page. In other words, it’s what makes all the text and other content look good. With CSS, you can adjust the colors, change the fonts, or add a stunning background – and so much more! This is where your eye for design really shines and how you can put your creative stamp on every site you create.
BONUS! JAVASCRIPT
While you can code up your designs using just HTML and CSS, if you can also program using JavaScript, you’ll have a huge leg up against the competition. JavaScript allows you to take static elements on your site and make them interactive—think: Twitter feeds that update automatically, websites that look different when you’re logged in, image sliders, and more!
SOFT SKILLS
Now that you have the design and tech part down, you only need to add some management to keep yourself organized and effective in your web design work.
6. TIME MANAGEMENT
Whether you go freelance or work for a company, you’ll need to stay on top of your schedule and your projects to be a standout web designer. This can mean getting to know productivity apps like task lists or calendars or, especially if you’re in a large organization, learning project tracking tools like Trello or JIRA. Whatever the tools, mastering the art of prioritizing and tracking your work will be essential for your success (and sanity!) in the busy world of web design.
7. COMMUNICATION
Staying in touch and getting your point across are also must-have skills for a designer. You’ll be keeping clients up-to-date on the progress of their projects plus pitching ideas and explaining your creations. And you might even be called on to do some copywriting or editing for sites, especially if you’re running your own one (wo)man shop. So, buckle down on your writing and your speaking, and you’ll be sure to get your point across in every situation.
8. SEO / MARKETING / SOCIAL MEDIA
The skill set of SEO (search engine optimization), marketing, and social media might seem like it’s meant more for a salesperson than a web designer. But, since the Internet is the way so many companies sell today and since you’ll also need to sell your web designer talents (when you’re looking for a job or for freelance clients), you should wrap your head around them, too. Even knowing the basics of each and keeping them in mind for both client and your own sites will get you a long way in your web designer journey.
9. BUSINESS / CLIENT MANAGEMENT
And, as an employee or as a freelancer, understanding the bottom line will help you make sure you or your company is profitable and sustainable. You don’t have to go back for your MBA, but you should have an idea about the goals and finances of your employer or your own business so you can use them to guide your work. And, if you’re designing directly for clients, you should have a plan for making sure that your cash flow and project backlog are both healthy and doable in the short and long term.
As you can see, there’s nothing mysterious or mind-blowing about the skills you need to be a web designer. A foundation in the tech side and a good handle on the organizational parts will both get you going and be there for you as you build your knowledge and your career in web design.
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What is HTML?
HTML is the standard markup language for creating Web pages.
HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language
HTML describes the structure of Web pages using markup
HTML elements are the building blocks of HTML pages
HTML elements are represented by tags
HTML tags label pieces of content such as "heading", "paragraph", "table", and so on
Browsers do not display the HTML tags, but use them to render the content of the page
A Simple HTML Document
Example
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Page Title</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>My First Heading</h1>
<p>My first paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>
Example Explained
The <!DOCTYPE html> declaration defines this document to be HTML5
The <html> element is the root element of an HTML page
The <head> element contains meta information about the document
The <title> element specifies a title for the document
The <body> element contains the visible page content
The <h1> element defines a large heading
The <p> element defines a paragraph
HTML Tags
HTML tags are element names surrounded by angle brackets:
<tagname>content goes here...</tagname>
HTML tags normally come in pairs like <p> and </p>
The first tag in a pair is the start tag, the second tag is the end tag
The end tag is written like the start tag, but with a forward slash inserted before the tag name
Web Browsers
The purpose of a web browser (Chrome, IE, Firefox, Safari) is to read HTML documents and display them.
The browser does not display the HTML tags, but uses them to determine how to display the document:
View in Browser
HTML Page Structure
Below is a visualization of an HTML page structure:
<html>
<head>
<title>Page title</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>This is a heading</h1>
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>
<p>This is another paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>
Note: Only the content inside the <body> section (the white area above) is displayed in a browser.
The <!DOCTYPE> Declaration
The <!DOCTYPE> declaration represents the document type, and helps browsers to display web pages correctly.
It must only appear once, at the top of the page (before any HTML tags).
The <!DOCTYPE> declaration is not case sensitive.
The <!DOCTYPE> declaration for HTML5 is:
<!DOCTYPE html>
HTML Versions
Since the early days of the web, there have been many versions of HTML:
Version Year
HTML 1991
HTML 2.0 1995
HTML 3.2 1997
HTML 4.01 1999
XHTML 2000
HTML5 2014
HTML Editors
❮ PreviousNext ❯
Write HTML Using Notepad or TextEdit
Web pages can be created and modified by using professional HTML editors.
However, for learning HTML we recommend a simple text editor like Notepad (PC) or TextEdit (Mac).
We believe using a simple text editor is a good way to learn HTML.
Follow the four steps below to create your first web page with Notepad or TextEdit.
Step 1: Open Notepad (PC)
Windows 8 or later:
Open the Start Screen (the window symbol at the bottom left on your screen). Type Notepad.
Windows 7 or earlier:
Open Start > Programs > Accessories > Notepad
Step 1: Open TextEdit (Mac)
Open Finder > Applications > TextEdit
Also change some preferences to get the application to save files correctly. In Preferences > Format > choose "Plain Text"
Then under "Open and Save", check the box that says "Ignore rich text commands in HTML files".
Then open a new document to place the code.
Step 2: Write Some HTML
Write or copy some HTML into Notepad.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<body>
<h1>My First Heading</h1>
<p>My first paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>
Step 3: Save the HTML Page
Save the file on your computer. Select File > Save as in the Notepad menu.
Name the file "index.htm" and set the encoding to UTF-8 (which is the preferred encoding for HTML files).
Step 4: View the HTML Page in Your Browser
Open the saved HTML file in your favorite browser (double click on the file, or right-click - and choose "Open with").
The result will look much like this:
