Shrikant Portfolio

Tag: CSS beginner

  • Web Development Basics: Beginner’s Guide to HTML, CSS & JavaScript

    Web development is the process of building and maintaining websites and web applications that are accessible via the internet or a private network. If you’re just starting out, here’s a structured roadmap to help you understand the essentials and begin your journey in web development.

    What is Web Development?

    Web development refers to all the work involved in creating websites or web applications, from simple static pages to complex platforms like e-commerce stores or social networks. It includes both the design (how things look) and the development (how things work) aspects, but the term “web development” typically focuses on the coding and technical side.

    How the Web Works: The Fundamentals

    Before diving into coding, it’s helpful to understand how the web functions:

    • Websites are collections of web pages stored on servers and accessed via browsers (like Chrome or Firefox).

    • IP Addresses are unique identifiers for devices on the internet, but we use domain names (like google.com) for convenience.

    • HTTP/HTTPS are protocols that define how data is transferred between your browser and web servers. HTTPS is the secure, encrypted version.

    • Browsers interpret code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to display web pages to users.

    The Three Pillars of Web Development

    1. HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

    • Purpose: Structures the content of web pages—think of it as the skeleton1467.

    • What you do: Use HTML to add headings, paragraphs, images, links, and lists to your page.

    • Example:

      xml
      <h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>
      <p>This is my first web page!</p>

    2. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)

    • Purpose: Styles and visually formats your HTML content—like adding colors, layouts, and fonts467.

    • What you do: Use CSS to make your website look attractive and user-friendly.

    • Example:

      css
      body {
      background-color: #f0f0f0;
      font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
      }
      h1 {
      color: #3333cc;
      }

    3. JavaScript

    • Purpose: Adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to your website (like forms, animations, and games)1467.

    • What you do: Use JavaScript to respond to user actions, validate forms, and create engaging experiences.

    • Example:

      javascript
      document.getElementById("myButton").onclick = function() {
      alert("Hello, world!");
      }

    Front-End vs. Back-End Development

    Aspect Front-End Back-End
    What it does User interface and experience Server, database, and application logic
    Main languages HTML, CSS, JavaScript PHP, Python, Node.js, Ruby, Java, etc.
    Runs on User’s browser Web server

    • Front-End: Everything the user sees and interacts with.

    • Back-End: The behind-the-scenes logic, databases, and server operations.

    Getting Started: Your First Steps

    1. Set Up Your Environment:
      Install a code editor (like VS Code) and a few browsers for testing.
    2. Create Your First Web Page:
      Start with a simple HTML file, add some content, and open it in your browser.
    3. Style with CSS:
      Link a CSS file to your HTML and experiment with colors and layouts.
    4. Add Interactivity with JavaScript:
      Try simple scripts to make your page interactive.
    5. Publish Your Website:
      Once you’re comfortable, you can use free hosting services to put your site online.

    Learning Resources

    • MDN Web Docs: Structured tutorials and challenges for beginners.

    • W3Schools: Step-by-step roadmaps and interactive examples.

    • BrowserStack & HubSpot Guides: Beginner-friendly explanations and tips.

    Conclusion

    Web development is a dynamic field that starts with understanding how the web works and mastering the core languages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With practice, you’ll be able to build and launch your own websites, setting the foundation for deeper learning and specialization in areas like back-end development, frameworks, and advanced web technologies.

  • HTML5 Updates You Should Actually Use: Simple Wins for Better Web Projects

    HTML5 is the heart of every website we build today. As developers, we always appreciate anything that saves time and makes things cleaner. And thankfully, HTML5 keeps evolving in that direction. Whether you’re handling forms, working with media, or adding visual elements, these new features are super handy. Here’s what’s new and how you can actually put it to use in your next project.

    1. Smarter Input Types for Forms

    Forms can be a headache, but HTML5 makes them way easier. Instead of relying on JavaScript or extra libraries, we now have built-in input types that just work out of the box. Here are a few I keep using: 
    <input type="date">     <!-- Adds a native date picker -->
<input type="color">    <!-- Let users choose colors visually -->
<input type="range">    <!-- Slider control, great for volume or brightness -->
    And here’s how they look together: 
    <form>
  <label for="birthday">Birthday:</label>
  <input type="date" id="birthday" name="birthday">

  <label for="favcolor">Favorite Color:</label>
  <input type="color" id="favcolor" name="favcolor">

  <label for="volume">Volume:</label>
  <input type="range" id="volume" name="volume" min="0" max="100">
</form>
    They’re great because they reduce user error and make your forms feel more modern without needing plugins.

    2. Built-In Audio and Video Support

    No more outdated plugins or embedding YouTube links just to play a video. HTML5 supports native multimedia, and it works really well. Here’s how you can add a simple video or audio player: 
    <video width="320" height="240" controls>
  <source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
  Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>

<audio controls>
  <source src="audio.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
  Your browser does not support the audio element.
</audio>
    Clean, simple, and it just works across modern browsers. Perfect for tutorials, product videos, or podcasts on your site.

    3. Drawing with the <canvas> Element

    If you’ve ever wanted to add custom graphics, small animations, or effects, HTML5’s <canvas> is worth trying. It lets you draw right in the browser using JavaScript. Here’s a quick example: 
    <canvas id="myCanvas" width="200" height="100"></canvas>
<script>
  const canvas = document.getElementById('myCanvas');
  const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
  ctx.fillStyle = 'red';
  ctx.fillRect(10, 10, 150, 80);
</script>
    This creates a red rectangle, but you can take it much further with charts, games, or animated visuals.

    Final Thoughts

    HTML5 is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for us. With the new input types, native multimedia, and the <canvas> element, we get more done with less code. These features aren’t just “nice-to-haves”, they genuinely improve UX and streamline development. If you’re building anything in 2025, these are tools you’ll want in your kit. Try them out in your next project and see how much smoother things get.