Web Development and Computer Hardware Fundamentals
Introduction to HTML
Core Purpose
Browsers interpret and execute source code or commands written using code tags to format content and access web resources.
HTML documents are written in a simple text editor, following the language rules, and saved with an .html or .htm extension.
The purpose of the HTML language is to create links between web pages, format text, and display documents based on the hypertext concept.
Text Formatting and Structure
Headings
Headings create lines of text with different sizes to structure the document. There are six levels: <h1> is the largest, and <h6> is the smallest.
Paragraphs and Line Breaks
The <p> tag defines a paragraph. The <br> tag inserts a line break, causing the following text to continue on the next line without starting a new paragraph.
Links and Anchors
Anchors are reference points within a document that can be accessed via a link.
Creating Anchors
To create an anchor point (example):
<a name="anchor_name">Anchor Text</a>Linking to Anchors
To link to the previously created anchor:
<a href="#anchor_name">Click here</a>Lists
Unordered Lists
Use <ul> for unordered lists (bullet points). Each item uses the <li> tag.
Example:
<ul>
<li>School Supplies</li>
<li>Notebooks</li>
</ul>Ordered Lists
Use <ol> for ordered lists (numbered). The type attribute can specify numbering style (e.g., Roman numerals: type="I").
Example (Roman Numerals):
<ol type="I">
<li>First Item</li>
<li>Second Item</li>
</ol>Images
To display an image, use the <img> tag with the src attribute specifying the image file path:
<img src="image.gif" alt="Description of Image">Page Attributes (Legacy Note)
Attributes like bgcolor and text on the <body> tag were used to set page background color and text color (e.g., <body bgcolor="black" text="white">). Note: This method is deprecated; use CSS for styling.
Forms
Objective
The main objective of HTML forms is to collect information from a user.
Attributes
Key attributes for the <form> tag include:
- action: Specifies the server-side script or location where the form data will be processed.
- method: Specifies how the data should be sent (e.g., GET or POST). This determines how the programmer processes the inserted data.
Email Links
A common use in footers is providing an email link using <address> and mailto::
<address>
<a href="mailto:example@email.com">example@email.com</a>
</address>Introduction to CSS
Inheritance
Inheritance means that styles applied to a parent element can be passed down to its child elements. Additional classes can be specified for each element, allowing them to inherit style features from base elements or parent classes.
When Inheritance Doesn’t Occur
Inheritance does not occur when a specific style value is explicitly altered on the child element or when the property itself is not inheritable by default.
Benefits of External CSS Files
Using an external CSS file (.css) is highly recommended. If you need to change a style across your entire website later, you only need to alter the single CSS file, and the changes will apply to all linked HTML pages.
Operating System and File Management Basics
Shortcuts (Windows)
Identification
Shortcuts on the desktop are typically identified by a small arrow icon in the bottom-left corner.
Creation and Icon Modification
To create a shortcut: Right-click the original file/application, select “Send to”, then “Desktop (create shortcut)”. To change its icon: Right-click the shortcut, select “Properties”, go to the “Shortcut” tab, and click “Change Icon”.
Copying vs. Moving Files
When dragging files:
- Dragging files within the same drive typically moves them.
- Dragging files between different drives typically copies them.
Data Storage Units
- How many Megabytes (MB) equal 1 Gigabyte (GB)? 1024 MB = 1 GB.
- How many Megabytes (MB) do 2048 Kilobytes (KB) equal? 2 MB (since 1024 KB = 1 MB).
Computer Hardware Essentials
System Bus
Purpose
The bus facilitates communication between the processor (CPU) and the motherboard, connecting various components.
Definition
A bus is the communication pathway used for data transfer between various circuits and the microprocessor within a computer.
Bus Components
- Data Bus: The path through which the actual data circulates.
- Address Bus: Carries the information about the memory location (address) being accessed.
- Control Bus: Transmits control signals and additional information, such as whether the operation is a read or a write.
Expansion Slots
Slots on the motherboard allow for the connection of expansion cards (like graphics cards, network cards) that are not built directly into the motherboard itself.
Processor (CPU) Technologies
Hyper-Threading (HT)
Hyper-Threading technology makes the operating system perceive a single physical processor core as two logical processors, potentially improving performance in multitasking environments.
AMD Processors
Turion
AMD Turion processors were designed for laptops, based on the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 (Dual-core) architectures.
Sempron
The AMD Sempron processor line was introduced as a replacement for the older AMD Duron processor line, targeting the budget market.
Intel Processors
Pentium D vs. Core Duo
- Pentium D: Essentially consisted of two Pentium 4 processor cores placed together in a single package.
- Core Duo: A single processor chip containing two execution cores (a true dual-core design).
Core 2 Family
The Core 2 line included various models:
- Laptops: Core 2 Solo (single-core), Core 2 Duo (dual-core).
- Desktops/Servers: Core 2 Duo (dual-core), Core 2 Quad (quad-core).
Note: A dual-core PC has one physical processor chip containing two cores.
Centrino Platform
Centrino was not just a processor but an Intel platform initiative for laptops, typically combining an Intel Pentium M or Core processor, related chipsets, and integrated wireless networking capabilities.