Build your website with HTML5 and CSS3 - It's never been so easy to buil your own website

Extrait
Foreword
The World Wide Web has been around for over twenty years now! A respectable age in the world of computing as the early 1990s almost feels like ancient times.
But the Web has never been used as much as it is today: we've now all become used to browsing websites as if it were second nature. It's even become our main activity on a computer, to the point that we can forget that it can also be used for other things than Web browsing. Even when we're not at a computer, we've become accustomed to compulsively watching our mobile phone for the latest news. In short, the Web follows us around everywhere.
So you've probably thought to yourself: "Hey, why don't I create my own website? Everyone's doing it, so I should be able to do it too!"... And you're absolutely right! The Web has become democratized because it's is easy to create a website. But it's not something that can be improvised: you need a method, some organization and some knowledge of Web languages. This is what this book sets out to do!
You've never heard of HTML or CSS? No problem: this book is designed for beginners. All I ask is that you know how to turn on your computer (and use a mouse and a keyboard, while you're at it). I'll show you how to do the rest. It's not difficult!
The essential HTML5 and CSS3 languages
Whatever you do, you can't avoid them: to create a website, you have to learn how to use the HTML and CSS languages. They are the basis of all websites, which are all designed in the same way with these languages.
The latest versions of these languages (HTML5 and CSS3) now provide us with amazing possibilities. Graphic effects that used to be complex to create can now be produced through a single line of code. Languages are now becoming so powerful that experts already agree that tomorrow everything will be done on the Web. When you think about, it's already the true: online shopping, tax forms, reading newspapers, etc.
You might be thinking that you're not made to learn a computer language, but don't worry: HTML and CSS are simple languages. I regularly see young people learning them from the age of 10, as if it were a mere formality. In fact, it's no more complicated than grammar and conjugation, and sometimes even easier. ;-)
What are you going learn from reading this book?
We going to discover HTML and CSS gradually during this book, which includes the following parts:
- HTML5 basics : we begin by discovering the HTML language. We really start from the basics: what programs do I need to install? How do I test the result of my website? How do I display text and images, and create links? We're going to see all this in this very simple first part.
- The joys of formatting with CSS : we're then going to introduce CSS, which is used to format our website. We're going to learn how to choose the colours of our website, change its text size and font... and even adjust its transparency effects, shadows and rounded corners, all things CSS3 now allows us to do.
- Website page layout : we'll then get serious and go on to our website's page layout. Dimensions, margins and positioning to the nearest pixel: we'll find out about everything we need to know. We'll conclude this part on a pinnacle by building our first complete website from A to Z. You'll be amazed at what you can do!
- Advanced features : we'll go further by discovering the more complex features of HTML and CSS. In particular, we'll review tables, forms and managing videos... And I'll do a quick review of everything you can still learn to satisfy your thirst for knowledge!
The annexes at the end of this book are designed to round out what you've learned: in particular, you'll find out how to upload your website onto the Web!
How should you read this book?
Follow the order of the chapters
Read this eBook like you would read a novel. It was designed for this purpose. Unlike many technical books, where it is common to skim through and skip some chapters, I strongly recommended you follow the order of the course in this case, unless you are familiar with the subject.
Practice at the same time
Practice regularly. Don't wait until you've finished reading this book to turn on your computer and do your own tests.
Acknowledgements
I'd like to thank a number of people who, directly or indirectly, contributed to making this book possible:
- My family, who continue to have faith in me and always follow my projects closely.
- Elodie, for her unwavering support. This book is dedicated to you as a reminder of this beautiful summer's day.
- Pierre Dubuc, who continues to move mountains to breathe life into our common project.
- Our graphic designer, Fan Jiyong for the book's cover, chapter illustrations and practical work webdesign (which is several notches above the previous one!).
- Our publisher, Jonathan Baldwin, for his involvement and efficient work in preparing this book.
- The whole Simple IT team who work with me on the Site du Zéro website.
- Delphiki and Nesquik69, for their reviewing and useful advice.
- All you readers, with whom I am always so happy to share my knowledge. Read on to find out more!