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Chapter 01 of 07 · 3 lessons · ~23 min

Getting Started

Before you write real pages, you need to know how the web works, set up your tools and understand the starter code every page uses. By the end of this chapter, you'll have a clean project folder and your first working page in the browser.

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/ Lessons in this chapter
01
How the Web Works: HTML, CSS and JavaScript Explained What happens when you open a website, and the job of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Coming soon
02
How to Create Your First HTML File in VS Code Set up a free code editor and see your first web page in the browser. Coming soon
03
HTML Boilerplate: Document Structure Explained The starter code every HTML page needs, line by line. Coming soon

Chapter practice task

Set up your project folder and a valid starter page

  1. Create a folder called my-portfolio on your desktop.
  2. Open it in VS Code and add a file named index.html.
  3. Type ! and press Tab to get the boilerplate, then change the title to your name.
  4. Add one <h1> with your name and one <p> about what you do.
  5. Open the file in your browser. If you see your name, you’re done.

By the end of this chapter

  • You can explain the difference between a domain, hosting and a browser
  • You have VS Code and Live Server ready to go
  • You know what every line of the HTML boilerplate does

Quick answers for this chapter

Is HTML a programming language?

No. HTML is a markup language. It describes what content is (a heading, a link, an image) but it can’t make decisions or do math. That’s what JavaScript is for.

Can I learn HTML on my phone?

You can read the lessons and try small examples on a phone, but a laptop with VS Code makes practice much easier. Any basic laptop is enough.

Do I need to pay for anything?

No. VS Code, your browser and everything in this chapter are free.