MUST-know CSS
HTML and CSS are the basic building blocks of any web page, application, game, or anything that appears in your browser. In fact, these partner technologies are quickly finding ubiquity outside the browser, too: in native mobile devices, desktop applications, wearable devices, kiosks, and even operating systems.
This course will get you started with understanding the details (and idiosyncrasies) of CSS, and how to use it in your own projects. Not just a rundown of syntax, this course also teaches you how to think about styling your content in accordance with current best practices concerning search engine optimization (SEO) and accessibility issues.
A basic knowledge of HTML is needed; no downloads or installations are required, but read below for options.
Typing Code:
You will be typing HTML and CSS, and will need some editor to type into, preferably one that shows the result right away as you work. Here are some options:
- If you're just starting out, a decent option is to simply open another browser tab to JS Bin, an online editor. Type code in the left column (after deleting anything already there), see the result in the right. Easy. A free account will let you save your work, if you want. Pro tip: Double-click on the blue "HTML" to show line numbers.
- Other online options include JS Fiddle and Code Pen.
- If you're looking for a more long-term, professional solution, you'll have to download and install a code editor. The one I currently use is Atom, which is free.
- Other free editors include Brackets, BlueFish, Visual Studio Code, Notepad++ (Windows), and TextMate (Mac).
- If you're using Atom, or another code editing application, save your work in one folder. (Do not just dump all your HTML files onto your desktop.) Then, from that one folder, drag any file into your browser to see what it looks like. You can edit the code, save the file, and refresh the browser to see your changes.
Additionally, I strongly recommend you learn to touch type, if you haven't already.