How HTML Works with the Web
Without HTML, the World Wide Web wouldn’t exist. HTML allows the individual elements on the Web to be brought together and presented as a collection. Text, images, ultimedia, and other files can all be packaged together using HTML. This section explains the basic principles behind the interaction between HTML and the World Wide Web.
Tip sheet
- The speed of your Web browsing software largely depends on the type of Internet connection you have. Although a modem connection at 14.4Kbps is acceptable, you should consider upgrading your hardware and contacting an
Internet Service Provider who can supply a faster connection. (See the Appendix for more information on Internet Service Providers.)- You can always view the HTML source code for a particular page through your browser. Once you’ve masteredthe basics of HTML, this is a great way to learn how other authors put together their HTML documents. To view
the source code of the current document in Netscape, choose Document Source from the View menu.
- The author of the Web page assembles all of the materials necessary, including text, charts, images, and sounds.
- All of the material for the Web page is linked together using HTML. HTML codes control the appearance, layout,
and flow of the page. The amazing thing about HTML is that it is all done with simple text codes that anyone can
understand.- When someone connects to a Web server from his or her computer, the HTML file is transferred from server to
client. Because an HTML file is simple text, this usually happens very quickly.
- The Web browsing software (the client) interprets the layout and markup commands specified in the HTML file
and then displays the text exactly as the HTML author intended.
Any images and charts on the page are retrieved as well. The HTML file tells the Web browser what images to
download and how to display them on the page.