Understanding the Basics of Web Coding
Web coding involves creating websites with specific programming languages that determine the website’s function and appearance. These coding languages include HTML and CSS, which are the building blocks of any web page. Web development requires a deep understanding of the technology involved, as well as an ability to problem-solve. Web developers need to ensure that their code meets certain criteria, including validation, scalability, responsive design and privacy.
Web development has revolutionized the way we communicate, work and conduct business. Websites are now the foundation for many businesses, providing information and services to millions of people around the world. But despite the widespread use of the Internet, not everyone has the knowledge to create their own online presence. Fortunately, no-code solutions like website builders allow people with minimal or no programming experience to build fully-functional, professionally-designed websites.
To understand the basics of web coding, you should start with the language that forms the core of every webpage: HTML. This coding language is the foundation for the World Wide Web, and is what allows you to navigate through the different websites on the Internet. HTML is made up of tags that surround content, which defines the structure of a website and how it will appear to users. Each tag has an opening or starting tag, called a markup, and a closing tag preceded by a slash (/). In between these tags are the actual content that makes up the website.
After learning the fundamentals of HTML, you can move on to more advanced coding languages such as JavaScript and CSS. These additional coding languages help you build more complex websites and add a greater level of interactivity to your website. For example, you can use JavaScript to modify an HTML document on the fly, which is useful for creating interactive and dynamic web content. CSS is another coding language that lets you stylize and customize the look of your website. You can also use it to create web pages that are responsive to different devices and screen sizes, which improves usability and user experience for visitors on different devices.
Aside from coding languages, web developers must have an excellent grasp of computer science and be comfortable with the client-server model of Internet communication. The client is the browser, which sends requests to the server for information and then displays it on the web page. The server is the computer that processes the request and returns the requested data to the client. The Internet’s client-server architecture is based on the HTTP and HTTPS protocols, which enable web servers to exchange information with each other over the Internet.
The skills and knowledge required to become a web developer vary depending on the type of website you are interested in developing, but most require at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Some programs may take up to 2-4 years to complete, while others offer short-term career-focused bootcamps. There are also free online resources available, such as Khan Academy, that can teach you the basics of computer science and web development.