Pages
Web designers create sites using all types of files, including .html, .css, .php, .aspx, and more. How one creates and saves files affects their processing; a .css file does not display the same as an .html web page.
Websites require .html (or other web) ** Pages** because they contain the site’s visible content. Furthermore, pages typically access other files (such as images and other media) using hyperlinks, embeds, and more, which we will cover in greater detail.
page.html
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML or HTM)
HTML is the standard language used to create web pages. HTML provides the page's structure, using elements to create headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, links, etc. Properly laid out HTML is designed to enhance accessibility and provide structured content outside of decorative styling.
- Easy-to-learn, free or low-cost.
- Widely-used; standardized.
- Extensive; has a large library and support community.
- Requires a browser to render the markup correctly.
- HTML Lexicon is in American English and may require extra interpretation for non-English speakers.
page.css
Cascading Style Sheet (CSS)
CSS controls the page's appearance and responds to different display types. CSS is used to “decorate” the site. For example, CSS provides layout, color, interactive elements, fonts, and other formatting. HTML provides the page's contents, and CSS specifies the site's appearance. Using a stylesheet greatly speeds up development time, as a single sheet can affect all pages in the site.
- Speed and consistency in styling pages site-wide.
- Supported by nearly all browsers.
- Extensive; has a large library and support community.
- CSS differs from HTML, requiring users to learn different syntax.
- Interpreted differently across browsers including mobile; requires testing.
NoteIf there are separate HTML and CSS pages, they must be linked together for the CSS to affect the HTML. This will be discussed later.
development