Ultimate HTML and CSS Series - Part 1

Introduction

• Series Overview: Learn to build fast, beautiful websites using HTML and CSS.
• Assumption: No prior knowledge of HTML or CSS is needed.
• Structure:
  • Part 1: Fundamentals of web development with HTML and CSS.
  • Part 2: Advanced concepts.
  • Part 3: Build a responsive website for Mashify, an imaginary cloud hosting company.
• Instructor: Ash Hamadani, with experience teaching millions how to code.

Tools Required

• Code Editors: Visual Studio Code (VS Code), Sublime Text, Atom.
• VS Code Extensions:
  • Prettier: Code formatter.
  • Live Server: Launch website inside a development server.
• Browser: Google Chrome recommended.

Web Development Overview

• Web Development Parts: Front-end (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and Back-end (databases, data serving).
• Languages:
  • HTML: Structure of web pages.
  • CSS: Styling web pages.
  • JavaScript: Adding functionality.
• Analogy: Building structure (HTML), aesthetics (CSS), and functionality (JavaScript).

Learning Path

• Time Commitment:
  • HTML & CSS: ~1.5 months.
  • JavaScript: ~6 weeks.
• Front-End Frameworks: React, Angular, Vue (focus on React first).
• Version Control: Git is essential, learn it in ~2 weeks.
• Advice: Focus on essential skills to avoid being overwhelmed.

Understanding the Web

• Client-Server Model: Browser (client) requests services, server responds.
• HTTP Protocol: Communication language between client and server.
• HTTP Requests and Responses: Request page, server responds with HTML document.
• DOM (Document Object Model): Structure of elements in HTML document.
• Network Inspection Tools: Use Chrome DevTools to inspect HTTP requests/responses.

Basic HTML Document

• Structure: DOCTYPE, html, head, body tags.
• Title and Meta Tags: Define page title and document encoding (UTF-8).
• Live Server: Automatically refreshes browser on changes.

Introduction to CSS

• Embedding CSS: Within style tags in head section.
• Basic Styles: Width, border-radius, margin, float.
• CSS Syntax: Selectors, properties, values.
• Using Prettier: Format code for consistency, configure auto-format on save.

HTML and CSS Validation

• Importance: Ensure web pages display correctly.
• Tools:
  • HTML Validator at validator.w3.org.
  • CSS Validator at jigsaw.w3.org.

HTML Elements Overview

• Text Elements: p, em, strong for emphasis.
• Headings: Use h1 to h6 for hierarchical structure.
• Special Characters: Use HTML entities for reserved characters.
• Links: Anchor tags (<a>), internal, external, downloads, mailto.
• Images: <img>, src, alt attributes.
• Image Sizing: Use CSS for width, height, and object-fit.

Next Steps

• Deep Dive into HTML: Explore elements for text, links, images, lists, tables.
• Format and Validate Code: Maintain readable and error-free code.
• Upcoming Sections: Continue with more detailed exploration of HTML and CSS.