The Digital Revolution & World Wide Web: The Basics
The digital world… what an invention! The digital revolution began in the 1950s, and just 40 years later, the World Wide Web (WWW) was born. Good thing we have it now- otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this! British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee proposed the first version of the web in 1989 and by the end of the 1990s, the first web server was up and operating.
So, let’s cut right to the chase- what is digital, and more importantly, how is a website comprised?
What Does Digital Mean?
Essentially, digital refers to information that is expressed as binary digits (zeros and ones). When information is stored as zeros and ones, it makes it easier to…
- Create new data
- Replicate data
- Compress data
- Distribute data quickly
- Study and process data efficiently
- Organize data neatly
That’s a lot of information- but how cool is that?
Even the image you are looking at right now is made up of tiny, little dots called pixels. Pixels are used to make up digital images, which is another important aspect of the digital world.
As I write this blog, on this website, on the internet, comprised of digital images that are made up of pixels, I need to also consider the aspect of how this can even be done. How am I writing this post? Well, in (somewhat) simple terms, three main languages are used to build a website: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Let’s learn about them!
Building a Website
First, we have HTML, which stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It’s the structural framework for creating content and layout. An easy way to understand HTML is like the blueprint of a building. It provides a basic structure similar to how an architectural plan structures the layout of different office rooms and hallways. Picture your office space without any desks, plants, chairs, or people. That is HTML without CSS or JavaScript. The way HTML is written is complicated at first glance, but simple once you find out that “<h1>” represents a main heading, “<h2>” represents a subheading, and “<p>” represents a paragraph, just to name a few.
Next, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), like in the name, is used for styling and presenting your website. For example, designing the layout is the main way Cascading Style Sheets come in handy. It describes how HTML elements are supposed to be displayed within your media. Think of CSS as the decorations in your office building. For instance, your paint, furniture, decor, and layout make your office building visually appealing.
Lastly, we have JavaScript. JavaScript is a programming language that allows for an interactive and functional webpage. For example, it’s used to make animated images, videos, or drop-down menus. In our office building, JavaScript would act as lights, doors, and windows, representing all different aspects that would make the structure functional.
Without HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, the office building would have no walls, no paint, or decorations, and no interactive or useful features. However, when together, they make a fully functional and eye-catching office (or website)! 😊