Hello, World

[github-learning-lab]

Let's build your first website

HTML is the markup language that forms the backbone of the internet. In this course, you'll learn how to build a simple website using HTML to set as your browser's default start page. This is the first step in your journey to become a developer—how exciting!

What is HTML?

HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language. HTML isn't a programming language. It's actually instructions on the structure of your website. Your browser reads the HTML document, and displays it.

Where does your website begin?

When someone enters a web address, the web standards will automatically look for a file called index.html, and display it in your browser. Most people call this your homepage.

Step 1: Hosting your website

It isn't enough to simply create a site on GitHub. You also have to deploy it to a web host that's connected to the internet. In this course we'll use GitHub Pages, but you could publish the HTML to any static host.

⌨️ Activity: Turn on GitHub Pages

1. Under your repository name, click Settings.
2. In the "GitHub Pages" section, use the Select source drop-down menu to select master as your GitHub Pages publishing source.
3. Return to this issue.

I may take up to a minute to respond as I wait for GitHub Pages to create a deployment of your repository. If you don't see anything after a minute, refresh this page.

For more information, see "Configuring a publishing source for GitHub Pages."

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I'll respond in this issue after GitHub Pages has finished deploying your site.

[github-learning-lab]

Step 2: Open a pull request

GitHub Pages is now serving your site at: https://stephbwills.github.io/intro-html/

It's not the most special-looking site just yet, but hey, it's a website! Web hosts (and GitHub Pages) look for a file titled index.html and serve that up. Since there's no index.html file in our repository, GitHub Pages displays the contents of the README by default. Let's change this by adding the index.html file to our repository.

⌨️ Activity: Add index.html

To help you get started, I have already created an index.html file for you on a branch called: add-index. All you need to do is create the pull request. Don't worry, I'll help you!

1. Create a pull request. You can either use this direct link, or go to the "Code" tab, click New Pull Request, select base: master, and compare: add-index.
2. Add a descriptive title to your pull request, something like "Add the index.html file".
3. Add a descriptive body to your pull request.
4. Click Create pull request.

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I'll respond in your new pull request.