HTML 101

The HTML shell

BY WIL GERKEN

The HTML shell contains a number of tags that define specific parts of an HTML document. I have listed the shell below, as well as a definition to what each tag's specific purpose is.

<html>
<head>
<title>HTML 101</title>
</head>
<body>
</body>
</html>

Notice my use of white space for clarity. These could have been closer together or even contain extra carriage returns. That is entirely up to you and your style.

<html></html> - This tag defines that the document is HTML. It should be the first and last tag in your documents.

<head></head> - This tag defines the "head" or "header" of an HTML document. Very few tags are intended to go within the head. The common tags that will occur in the head are "meta" tags, page title, and scripting code.

<title></title> - This tag defines what will appear in the "title bar" of your browser. It will also be the phrase that is used when a user bookmarks your site. Notice that "HTML 101" appears in your title bar above and not anywhere else on the page. The title tag is placed within the head.

<body></body> - This tag defines the body of an HTML document and it is where everything else goes. All of your copy, images, tags, and anything else that will be on your page will be placed within the body tags.

Be sure to view the source of this page to see how I have made use of all of these tags.

Tip: It is highly recommended to make a template text file that contains the above code so you can always start with this basic shell.

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