Lists & HTML References

Unordered Lists

The Unordered (unnumbered) List is the first of the three types of lists. This is probably the most common list you will use.

Example of an Unordered List...

Notice the bullet before each List Item. Now here is the HTML code for the Unordered List above...

<ul>
 <li>pencils</li>
 <li>pens</li>
 <li>erasers</li>
 <li>paper</li>
 <li>glue</li>
</ul>


The <ul> tag is the opening Unordered List Tag. Therefore, the </ul> is the closing tag. Between these two tags you place List Items, with each one having an individual <li> opening tag, and an optional </li> closing tag. There is no limit to the number of List Items you may have in a single list.


The Ordered List

The Ordered List, also known as the Numbered List, is very similar in structure to the Unordered List, except each List Item has a number in front of it, instead of a bullet. Also, the opening tag for the list is <ol> instead of <ul>, and the closing tag is </ol> instead of </ul>. List Items within the list still use the same tags.

Example of an Ordered List...

  1. pencils
  2. pens
  3. erasers
  4. paper
  5. glue

Notice the number before each List Item. Now here is the HTML code for the Ordered List above...

<ol>
 <li>pencils</li>
 <li>pens</li>
 <li>erasers</li>
 <li>paper</li>
 <li>glue</li>
</ol>


The Definition List

I have only used this type of list a few times, but it may be helpful to you. This type of list is a little more complicated, but it is still very easy to use. This list starts with the <dl> opening tag, and ends with the </dl> closing tag. This has another tag known as <dt> for Definition Term, and <dd> for Definition Definition. These two tags do not need closing tags.

Example of a Definition List...

alliance
A union, relationship, or connection by kinship, marriage, or common interest.
alligator
Large amphibious reptile with very sharp teeth, powerful jaws.
alliterate
To arrange or form words beginning with the same sound.


Now here is the HTML code for this Definition List...

<dl>
 <dt>alliance
 <dd>A union, relationship, or connection by kinship, marriage, or common interest.
 <dt>alligator
 <dd>Large amphibious reptile with very sharp teeth, powerful jaws.
 <dt>alliterate
 <dd>To arrange or form words beginning with the same sound.
</dl>


HTML References

Below are a few HTML reference sites available on the Internet. I've found the first site to be particularly useful and very complete.

HTML Primer

HTML Reference

Kevin Werbach's 'Barebones Guide to HTML' (Available in 21 Languages)

Learning HTML

 


HTML Editors

HTML editors are programs designed specifically for building web pages. The 3 sites I've listed contain demo downloads of the actual programs. These programs make building your web page very easy with little or no knowledge of HTML, however they don't allow the author as much control over the page. When I want to build a web page quickly, I use one of these programs to build the basics of my page and then modify and add to the source code. Using these programs and viewing the code also allows you to become familiar with HTML tags.

HotDog Pro Web Editor

Adobe Pagemill

BB-Edit


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