Do you ever think of why websites look like this? What is responsible for a webpage to display images, colors, layouts, and texts accurately? The solution comes up with the proper application of HTML and CSS. But what makes them different from each other?
Most of the newbies become confused between these two web solutions. If you don’t have a clear understanding of these two, you might become stressed while developing websites.
In this blog post, I will highlight the difference between HTML and CSS, comprehending these terms in addition to their vital features. From Syntax, and attributes to type of language and functionality, and how these two developmental elements are different from each other, all will be discussed below.
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The below contrasting factors among HTML and CSS will help you to commence your development journey seamlessly.
Let’s get started with understanding the concepts first.
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Difference Between HTML and CSS: At a Glance
Before jumping to the main topic ‘difference between HTML and CSS’, you have to know the concept of HTML and CSS first. Their exclusive features are also discussed below;
Introduction to HTML
The term HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. This highly standard language is used commonly to make innovative and stunning web pages. HTML offers the fundamental framework for a website or web application. With the help of various tags, it defines several elements such as images, headings, links, and paragraphs.
Each page is created with the application of HTML. It assists a web browser with the content it will display. HTML is not the only one that is responsible for managing the colors, layouts, and design of the website or web application.
HTML is simple to access and learn. This is one of the most significant elements of website development. It integrates well with JavaScript and CSS to make responsive and visually attractive web pages and web applications.
Features of HTML
There are some significant features of HTML, and I have tried to cover each of them in the below section. Let’s get to know them;
- Platform Independence: HTML is highly compatible with different devices or operating systems. Linux, Windows, Mac, and various mobile devices can all access it easily. HTML pages can be displayed and read in any web browser. HTML is a global programming language for making stunning websites due to this platform’s independent nature.
- Geolocation API: The Geolocation API, which is another major element of HTML5, allows websites to define the exact location of a user. This enables the distribution of location-based functions such as maps and real-time weather updates. Web applications become highly responsive leading to better user experience.
- Responsive Design: As HTML enables flexible web design, websites can adjust to different screen sizes. To ensure web pages display smoothly on desktops, tablets, PCs, and smartphones, it integrates better with CSS. This boosts overall access and usefulness.
- Static Language: This is a static language which means it is only responsible for content structuring. Dynamic elements or logic like JavaScript are not supported by HTML. Although, it integrates well with JavaScript and CSS to make responsive and well-functioning web applications or websites.
- Semantic Elements: Various semantic elements offered by HTML are <footer>, <article>, and <header>. Such essential semantic elements boost the SEO and readability of the website. HTML also guides web developers and search engines to comprehend the web content completely.
- Ease of Access: HTML is easy to access and learn. It does not need any additional programming knowledge or technical skills. Anyone with basic knowledge can make webpages with the application of simple HTML tags. This is highly recommended to newbies.
- Support for Multimedia:
HTML enables the application of various multimedia files such as audio, images, and videos on web pages. The <image>, <video>, and <audio> tags are some of those that make it simple to integrate various multimedia files. This helps to create websites highly responsive leading to better user experience.
Introduction to CSS
The term CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. It is widely applied to design and style various web pages. CSS is responsible for managing the spacing, fonts, layouts, and colors or web elements.
Websites look flat and boring without the application of CSS. This is responsible for user-intuitive and attractive web pages. CSS performs better with HTML by applying layouts, styles, fonts, and colors to different elements.
Three types of CSS are available and they are Inline, External, and Internal CSS. External are those that are widely used and enable web developers to design multimedia web pages with just one file.
CSS is highly recommended if your goal is to create stunning web designs and responsive websites.
Features of CSS
There are some major features of CSS, and I have tried to highlight each of them in the below section. Let’s know more about them;
- Layout: The layout of a webpage can be easily designed with CSS. It manages the organization of the screen elements. Web developers can make well-arranged and optimized pages by using features like Grid and Flexbox. This also boosts the overall readability and user experience of your web page.
- Animations: While you are using CSS, JavaScript is not essential for integrating animations. It promotes the development of various fluid effects such as sliding, fading, and bouncing features. Web pages are becoming highly appealing and intuitive with animations. They boost the attractiveness of a website without making it challenging to navigate.
- Responsiveness: Websites are flexible to different screen sizes with the integration of CSS. It adjusts to different layouts for mobile devices, desktops, and tablets with the help of various media queries. This ensures interactive and consistent exposure to all devices.
- Style: The appearance of a web page is handled by CSS. It manages the borders, fonts, margins, colors, and backdrops. Maintaining content and design separately makes websites highly controlled and attractive.
- Box Model: The Box Model in CSS is applied especially to highlight the space between different elements. It offers border, padding, margin, and content to your website. Accurate spacing and alignment of webpage elements have been rendered with the comprehension of the Box Model.
6. Transitions and Animations: CSS offers easy transitions among various states of the elements. The various effects such as color shifts, hover changes, and movements are also offered here. Such transitions help in making a website look more advanced, attractive, and user-intuitive.
Table of Contents
Difference Between HTML and CSS
Given below are the essential differences between HTML and CSS, and I have tried to highlight all of them below in a very easy and comprehensive manner.
Let’s get going;
1. Purpose
The major purpose of HTML is to make a stunning web page. Various elements such as images, audio, headlines, links, and paragraphs are defined by HTML. It helps web browsers by displaying the content for better understanding. The purpose is considered one outstanding difference between HTML and CSS.
CSS is widely applied for web page styling, that why the name is Cascading Style Sheets. It manages the elements such as spacing, fonts, layouts, and colors of the web page. This programming language helps your website to look polished, organized, and professional.
2. File Extension
File execution is considered one significant difference between HTML and CSS. The extensions of HTML files are “.html” and “.htm”. The stunning content of web pages is contained in these files.
The extensions of CSS files are “.css”. These files help in storing style rules independently from the HTML content.
3. Client-side and Server-side Execution
HTML runs directly on the client side and is interpreted immediately by the web browser. The server-side processing is not essential here. This is seen as another major difference between HTML and CSS.
On the other hand, CSS supports server-side execution. The web page of a user’s browser is styled effectively without even requiring a server to function it.
4. Syntax
HTML makes use of various tags inserted in angle brackets that is (< >). Such HTML tags highlight various elements of a web page. One major example is <h1>Heading</h1>.
CSS makes use of various properties and selectors to make designs visually appealing. It integrates styles with the application of curly braces ({ }).
One major instance is h1{color: yellow;}.
5. Attributes
The different attributes of HTML elements are id, src, alt, class, and href. These attributes offer extra information related to a specific element. Attributes are seen as another major difference between HTML and CSS.
On the other hand, different properties used by CSS are margin, font size, and color for element styling. The Element targeting can also be done with the integration of IDs and Classes.
6. Type of Language
HTML is a specific type of markup language. HTML helps a user to organize and structure the content of the website but fails to manage designs.
On the other hand, CSS is a specific type of Style sheet language. CSS is responsible for formatting and designing web pages for higher presentation.
7. Functionality
Functionality is viewed as another significant difference between HTML and CSS. The various content such as forms, links, images, audio, and texts are defined by HTML tags. This guarantees that a website must have an accurate structure.
On the contrary, CSS helps boost the look of your website by incorporating stunning layouts, styles, and responsive elements. This boosts the overall user experience.
8. Animations and Transitions
HTML will not offer support for transitions and animations. Rather, it will only showcase static content to websites.
On the other hand, CSS enables seamless transitions and animations. It can have various effects such as color changes, fading, and sliding effects.
9. Interactivity
HTML itself can not make communicative elements, and for higher interactivity, you need JavaScript. Interactivity is considered another popular difference between HTML and CSS.
On the other hand, CSS will allow users to add transitions, hover effects, and animations effectively. CSS will not be able to manage complex user communications.
10. Tags and Selectors
The different types of tags used in HTML are <p>, <img>, <aud>, <a>, and <h1> for website content structuring.
On the other hand, selectors are used in CSS, and popular ones are #id, .class, and element for various style applications. Different HTML elements are targeted for customization on websites or web pages. These tags and selectors are taken as a crucial difference between HTML and CSS.
11. Reusability
The reusability of styles is made possible by HTML, while CSS styles can be reused with the help of ID selectors and CSS classes.
HTML vs CSS: Which one is Better?
If you are looking to create a stunning website or web application, both HTML and CSS are inevitable. The structure of a web page is offered by HTML while CSS is responsible for the attractive look. Due to their different functions and features, neither is better functioning than the other.
A website could not function independently without HTML tags. Even without CSS, it looks flat, boring, and unorganized. Both of them are independent of each other when it comes to the creation of stunning web pages.
If you are a beginner, you must start by learning the fundamentals of HTML and then go for CSS. You will also be able to make effective and stunning websites with a complete understanding of both.
Final Thoughts,
In conclusion, the sections mentioned above reflect the exclusivity of HTML and CSS, which are commonly applied to write effective codes and make highly responsive websites or web applications. These two major programming elements are different from each other but they are also dependent on each other. These are used for several reasons.
Hoping, I have successfully covered the difference between HTML and CSS in this article in a very simple and clear manner. This will guide you through your web development journey, writing effective code, and developing responsive websites. I have also elaborated on each concept above in addition to their exclusive features.
Commence your website-building career with a greater comprehension of HTML and CSS and increase the readability of your code than ever.
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Happy reading.