Hey everyone! I'm just getting started with coding and I want to dive into some hands-on practice. I've been using apps like Sololearn and FreeCodeCamp to learn HTML, but it feels super daunting to write code outside of these learning platforms. I've got a Windows desktop and a Mac laptop, and I recently downloaded VSCode on my Mac after watching some YouTube tutorials. I'm hoping to figure out where and how to code my little practice projects. How do I run and preview my HTML files? Also, I'm curious about how to assign URLs to the web pages I create to take them beyond just the local environment. Any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated! I know this might seem like a basic question, but I really want to get it right.
5 Answers
VSCode is a solid choice! It's widely used by developers and will serve you well as you advance. For starting with HTML, create a new project in VSCode, then right-click in the file explorer to create a new file (call it something like my-site.html). You can write your HTML in that file and save it. To view your work, just right-click the file again, select 'Copy Path,' and paste that into your web browser. It should show you your HTML rendered as a webpage!
Just a heads-up: when you enter a URL, your browser makes a request for the HTML, which it then renders. Since you're working locally, pasting the file path gives you the same result as a remote URL.
Another option is using ObservableHQ for practicing small projects. It's really user-friendly and has excellent documentation. Just keep in mind that it uses reactive programming, which can have its quirks. It's a great way to transition to something like React later!
If you want a lightweight local setup, just download a simple code editor like Notepad++ along with gcc for compiling. It's straightforward and effective for learning on a new computer.
If you're looking to practice locally and run your HTML/CSS files, you could set up a simple web server. For Windows, check out how to enable IIS. For Mac, there are apps like 'Simple Web Server' that can help you run static sites. It's a great way to test your projects in a real web environment!
You might also want to try online coding platforms like CodePen. They let you build HTML, CSS, and JS right in your browser, which can be super convenient! Plus, you won't have to worry about setting anything up locally.
Thanks for the reassurance! I'm just focusing on plain HTML for now to get the hang of it, so I appreciate the step-by-step guide.