HTML5 and CSS3 Programming Overview
HTML5 and CSS3 are the latest versions of HTML and CSS programming languages. Therefore, it is highly recommended to start off learning HTML and CSS before exploring HTML5 and CSS3 tags. Due to importance of knowing JavaScript especially in the area of mobile App development, we briefly review major topics for learning jQuery.
Professional and experienced web designers and developers usually exploit HTML5 along with a JavaScript framework like jQuery to create feature-rich, dynamic websites. HTML5 includes new structural and form elements, implementation of audio and video elements, and intrinsic APIs that offer features such as determining user location, web storage, and dynamic creation of graphics using Canvas. CSS3 introduces new selectors and properties, creation of drop shadows, text shadows, rounded corners and gradient backgrounds without the use of an image editor, as well as simple animated effects without the use of JavaScript or Flash.
HTML5 and CSS3 Programming Topics
In order to excel in HTML5 and CSS3 coding, you need to learn how to:
- Use the new HTML5 semantic elements to define the structure of a page
- Add video and audio to a web page
- Use the new form input types and form attributes
- Use client-side form validation features within HTML5
- Add dynamic graphics to a web page using Canvas
- Use the new attribute selectors and pseudo-classes in CSS3
- Create effects with CSS3 such as drop shadows, text shadows and using custom fonts
jQuery Programming Topics
One of the most popular JavaScript frameworks that work well with HTML5 and CSS3 is jQuery which simplifies client-side scripting via a series of open-source libraries that provide frameworks for enhanced functionality. The major topics to learn for jQuery programming are: jQuery library, DOM manipulation, Ajax requests, and an overview of the UI library. The following are highly recommended to learn for learning jQuery along with HTML5
- Referencing jQuery in a page
- Selecting page elements using jQuery selectors
- Selecting DOM elements using standard DOM methods
- Creating and using jQuery plugins
- Registering events in jQuery
- Setting CSS properties of page elements
- Making Ajax requests using the $.ajax function
- Changing the display style of an element using various effect methods
Summary and Additional Notes
Now that you have learned the main topics related to HTML5 and CSS3 coding, you need to plan for your next training possibly in one of the following six areas: 1- Become a digital marketing specialist by learning advance newsletter marketing with HTML and CSS, 2- Become frontend or User Interface specialist like web design freelancer by learning advance topics on HTML5 and CSS3, 3- Become a Content Management System by learning WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal, 4- Become a back-end developer by learning Linux, PHP, and MySQL, and Apache, 5- Become a FullStack developer by learning JavaScript frameworks like Angular, React , jQuery and even Node and Express, 6- Become a mobile App developer by learning jQuey Mobile, React Native or Ionic along with HTML5.
It is advisable to consult with an IT career counselor to understand what career options best fits your skills. For instance, if you want to be a software engineer, learning HTML and CSS might not fit the bill. Here is an excellent article for learning more on coding and technology career roadmap. Once you know what career path you wish to pursue, you can make a plan on what, when, and how to learn. There are lots of online resources for learning coding and technology in general. For teenagers and high school students, High School Technology Services offers variety of hands-on training. For adults and professionals, Coding Bootcamps and DC Web Makers Companies offer basic to advance project-based programming and technology classes.
