

HTML uses “elements,” or tags, to denote things like the beginning of a paragraph, the bolding of a font, or the addition of a photo caption. A markup language also helps web developers avoid formatting every instance of an item category separately (e.g., bolding the headlines on a website), which saves time and avoids errors.


Have you ever noticed text at the bottom of a printed-out email that reads something like “ ”? That’s HTML. You likely see snippets of HTML more than you even realize. You may be asking yourself why HTML is called a “markup language.” The reason is that instead of using a programming language to perform the desired functions, HTML (like other markup languages) uses tags to annotate, or “mark up,” different types of content on a web page and identify the purposes they each serve to the page’s overall design. It’s also the second-most-used programming language by developers, according to a recent Stack Overflow survey. Even the most complex websites have HTML at their core. It is a relatively simple language that allows developers to create the basic structure of a website. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. HTML: The Building Blocks of the Internet JavaScript, arguably the most complex of the three, is used to make websites more interactive, and enables the development of more complex sites - pop-up boxes, buttons that change colors, and all the other dynamic aspects of your favorite websites are likely enabled by JavaScript. For example, the main difference between HTML and CSS is that HTML creates the document structure of a webpage while CSS embellishes the webpage by adding formatting and style. While these three front end languages are all used to design websites, they each have their own specific uses and intricacies. In this article, we will review the characteristics of each language, how they work together, and where you can learn them. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in front end development, there are a variety of ways to learn these languages - from coding bootcamps to college degrees. For this reason, you’ll find that learning all three languages is important. And, while each language has a different functional focus, they all work together to create exciting, interactive websites that keep users engaged.

Whether you’re booking a flight or figuring out what to make for dinner, these three front end languages are the user interface building blocks of every website you’ve ever visited. For anyone interested in learning front end web development, it’s crucial to understand the difference between HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
