What Is Web Coding?

Coding is the process of creating instructions in a programming language that a computer can understand and execute. Web coding is the process of writing the code that creates websites and web applications. Web developers are responsible for building the structure, design, and functionality of a website, using coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. There are two main types of web development: front-end and back-end. Those who specialize in one of these areas are known as web programmers or, more specifically, web programmers that focus on front-end coding or web programmers that focus on back-end coding.

A basic coding sample for an HTML document would look something like this:

The first line, !DOCTYPE html>, tells web browsers to interpret the code as standard HTML. The next two lines, head> and body>, define metadata for the page (such as the title and link to the CSS file) and the content that will be displayed on screen. The head> tag also includes a character encoding declaration, which specifies the code used to display text in different languages. The body> tag is where the actual site content is placed. This might include a heading via the h1> tag and a paragraph via the p> tag.

When people visit a website, the web server sends the website’s files to their browser in small chunks, much like a shop sending your goods home after you’ve ordered them. The browser then assembles the chunks into a single webpage for display. The webpage itself might contain links to other pages and forms, images, video, audio, Word documents, and PDFs. It may also have interactive elements, such as dropdown menus and sliders.

While a website is being built, the web developer needs to make sure that it is accessible and compatible with a variety of devices and operating systems. It is also important to plan for expansion and maintenance of the site. This includes ensuring that the website is secure, and providing clear error messages to users when they encounter issues with the site.

Whether you’re looking to take your career to the next level or are curious about learning coding to change careers, web development is a valuable skill to have in your toolbox. If you’re curious about getting started with web coding, our free 5-day coding short course is an ideal way to get your hands dirty with the basics and see if this fast-growing field is for you. Start now. Then, if you want to learn more, our free 10-week full-time web development courses are a great next step. Learn the fundamentals of front-end and back-end coding, and create your own website using the languages HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Then, add your own unique twist with our drag-and-drop website builder and marketing tools. No coding experience required. Sign up now to get started!