When it comes to learning the fundamentals of web development, there can often be confusion about which language should be learned first: CSS or HTML. Both languages are essential for constructing a functional website, but recognizing the differences between them can assist you in determining which language should be your starting point.
HTML, otherwise known as Hypertext Markup Language, is employed to create the structure of a website. It is a markup language, meaning it is utilized to “mark up” text and add other information such as page layout, images, formatting, and links. HTML works by using tags (short pieces of code) to define diverse elements of a webpage and how they should be displayed on the browser.
CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, is used to style the appearance of a website. It functions by applying rules to HTML elements such as font size, color, layout, positioning and other visual aspects of design. Distinctive styles can be applied to different parts of a webpage based on the hierarchy set forth in the HTML code.
For those looking to build websites from scratch, HTML should always be your starting point. Without an understanding of how HTML works it will be hard to properly style a website with CSS. In addition, if you are trying to comprehend how websites function on a deeper level it will help to have knowledge of both languages before attempting more complex coding.
On the other hand, if you are only interested in styling websites without having an extensive comprehension of web development then learning CSS first may make sense. Since CSS rules are applied directly to HTML elements it will be easier for you to catch onto how things work without needing as much prior knowledge about web development concepts including page structure and layout.
It doesn’t matter which language you decide to learn first – HTML or CSS – both are integral components for making fully functioning websites that look great too! Make sure you do some research into each language before getting started so that you can take full advantage of your learning experience. Having an understanding of both languages will provide you with invaluable skills that can help advance your web development skillset in the future!