Where Can You Write HTML?
You can write HTML in any text editor. Popular examples are:
- Notepad (comes with Windows)
- TextEdit (comes with Mac)
- Code editors like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or Atom (free to download)
- Online Editors like CodePen (codepen.io) or JSFiddle (jsfiddle.net) (No setup needed)
How to Create an HTML File
In Notepad (Windows)
- Open Notepad (Search for it in the Start menu).
- Write your HTML code.
- Click on File → Save As or press Ctrl+S
- In the Save window:
- Type the file name with .htm or .html extension, like index.html
- Set Save as type to All Files.
- Choose UTF-8 encoding (important for special characters).
- Click Save.
In TextEdit (Mac)
- Open TextEdit.
- Go to TextEdit → Settings (or Preferences).
- In the settings:
- Under New Document, set Format to Plain Text.
- Write your HTML code.
- Click File → Save.
- In the Save window:
- Name your file with .html extension, like index.html.
- Choose Where you want to save it (Desktop is easy).
- Select UTF-8 encoding if available.
- Click Save.
How to View an HTML File
- After saving, find the file on your computer.
- Double-click the file.
- It will open in your default web browser (like Chrome, Safari, or Edge).
- You’ll see your HTML page live!
Why Beginners Need Simple Editors
Advanced editors come with auto-corrections, shortcuts, and many features that can distract beginners.
- Starting with a simple editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac) helps you focus on learning real HTML, without relying on shortcuts.
- You can understand and fix your mistakes manually, which is essential for learning.
- A simple editor provides a clear environment, helping you avoid confusion.
- Once you build a strong foundation, transitioning to advanced editors becomes easier.
“Starting with the basics helps you become a stronger, more skilled web developer!”