HTML Essentials: Tags, Forms, Tables, Attributes, Semantic HTML

HTML Coding: Tags and Elements, HTML Forms, HTML Tables, Attributes, and Semantic HTML

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the foundation of structuring web content, providing a clear organization for your website's content. Let's explore the essential elements of HTML, focusing on tags, elements, forms, tables, attributes, and semantic HTML.

Tags and Elements

HTML elements are defined by opening and closing tags. For example, <h1> and <h1></h1> create a level 1 heading. Elements can be block-level, like headings, or inline, like <strong> or <em>.

HTML Forms

HTML forms help users submit information to websites. They consist of input fields, buttons, and labels. Examples include text fields, text areas, radio buttons, checkboxes, and submit buttons.

HTML Tables

HTML tables are used to display and organize data in a structured format. They consist of rows and columns defined by opening and closing table tags, with table headers defined by <th> tags and table cells by <td> tags.

Attributes

HTML attributes provide additional information about elements, like labels for form inputs. For example, <input type="text" name="username" placeholder="Enter your username"> defines an input field for a username, with a label and a placeholder.

Semantic HTML

Semantic HTML is the practice of using elements that accurately describe the content within them. For example, <article> tags are used for self-contained compositions, and <section> tags are used for sections within an article or web page.

Example: Using Forms and Semantic HTML

<form action="/login" method="post">
  <label for="username">Username:</label>
  <input type="text" name="username" id="username">
  <br>
  <label for="password">Password:</label>
  <input type="password" name="password" id="password">
  <br>
  <input type="submit" value="Log In">
</form>
<article>
  <h2>News Article</h2>
  <p>Lorem ipsum...</p>
  <footer>
    <span>By Staff</span>
    <time datetime="2022-01-15">January 15, 2022</time>
  </footer>
</article>

In this example, a login form uses input fields with labels, and a news article uses an <article> element with a heading and a footer, including author information and a publication date.

HTML allows you to build web applications and websites with structure, organization, and semantic meaning, guiding the visual presentation and user interaction of your content.