In our previous HTML example, we aimed to provide you with a quick overview to get you started. However, we need to delve deeper into the essential elements of a proper HTML file to ensure clarity and correctness.

Letโ€™s revisit we wrote initially

<p>A paragraph of text</p>

<ul>
  <li>First item</li>
  <li>Second item</li>
  <li>Third item</li>
</ul>

While this allowed us to create a functional HTML page, it lacked some fundamental elements necessary for a well-formed HTML document. Consider the following improved version:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>

  </head>
  <body>
    <p>A paragraph of text</p>

    <ul>
      <li>First item</li>
      <li>Second item</li>
      <li>Third item</li>
    </ul>
  </body>
</html>

Now, letโ€™s break down the key components

  • <!DOCTYPE html>: This declaration, placed at the top, signals to the browser that the document is an HTML file.
  • <html>: The root element that wraps the entire HTML document. Inside it, youโ€™ll find the <head> and <body> sections.
  • <head>: This section contains meta-information about the document, such as the title, character set, linked stylesheets, and more. In this example, itโ€™s left empty for simplicity.
  • <body>: The container for the visible elements of the page. It encompasses the content you want to display, including paragraphs, lists, images, and more.

Itโ€™s crucial to note that an HTML document should have only one occurrence of the <html>, <body>, and <head> elements.

Additionally, notice the indentation used in this example. Each nested tag, such as <head> inside <html> or <ul> inside <body>, is indented for clarity. Indentation helps maintain a โ€œtree structure,โ€ making it easier to visually parse and understand the hierarchy of elements in an HTML file.

Whether you prefer a 2-character or 4-character indentation (or tabs), consistency is key to ensuring a clean and organized HTML structure. Adopting a systematic approach will greatly enhance your ability to navigate and modify HTML files effectively.

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