Legal Definitions - hypertext markup language

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language.

HTML is the foundational coding language used to structure content on the internet. It tells web browsers how to display text, images, and other multimedia, and how to create links that connect different web pages or resources.

• Example 1: An Online News Article

  When you read a news article on a website, HTML is used to define the main headline, separate paragraphs of text, embed images or videos within the story, and create clickable links to related articles or external sources. For instance, the bolding of a reporter's name, the italicization of a publication title, or the link to a source document are all specified using HTML tags, ensuring the content is presented clearly and is navigable.

• Example 2: A University Course Catalog

  Imagine browsing a university's online course catalog. HTML structures how each course listing appears: the course code might be a prominent heading, the description a paragraph of text, and prerequisites listed as bullet points. Crucially, if you click on a course code to see more details, or on a professor's name to view their profile, HTML is what enables these clickable connections (hyperlinks) between different pages of the catalog.

• Example 3: A Recipe Website

  On a recipe website, HTML dictates the layout. The recipe title is typically a large heading, the ingredients might be presented as an unordered list, and the step-by-step instructions as numbered paragraphs. If the recipe includes a link to a video tutorial or a related recipe for a specific sauce, HTML creates these connections, allowing users to easily navigate to additional content and resources within or outside the website.