The indispensable introductory reference guide to HTML, XHTML and CSS

Even though new technologies enable people to do much more with the Web, in the end HTML, XHTML and CSS are still at the root of any Web site. The newest edition of this bestselling guide is fully updated and revised for the latest technology changes to the field, including HTML5 and CSS3. Illustrated in full color, this book provides beginner and advanced coders the tools they need to be proficient at these programming languages.

• Shows you how to create a Web page and formulate XHTML document structure


• Addresses working with content management systems (WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla), and designing for mobile devices (iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android)


• Introduces HTML5 and CSS3, tools critical to mobile Web development


• Reviews working with text, lists, and images, and customizing links


• Demonstrates ways to employ cascading style sheets (CSS) and get creative with colors and fonts


• Details integrating scripts with XHTML and understanding deprecated HTML markup tags

Written by two veteran computer whizzes, HTML, XHTML and CSS For Dummies will help you get the design results you want!

Ed Tittel is a 28-year veteran of the computer industry. A seasoned author and consultant, Ed has more than 140 books to his credit. Jeff Noble is a principle user experience designer at CA Technologies. He specializes in designing, building, optimizing, and explaining all aspects of Web sites and enterprise software applications.

Foreword xix

Introduction 1

Part I: Getting to Know (X)HTML and CSS 7

Chapter 1: The Least You Need to Know about HTML, CSS, and the Web 9

Chapter 2: Creating and Viewing a Web Page 31

Chapter 3: Proper Planning Prevents Poor Page Performance 43

Part II: Formatting Web Pages with (X)HTML 61

Chapter 4: Creating (X)HTML Document Structure 63

Chapter 5: Text and Lists 73

Chapter 6: Linking to Online Resources 91

Chapter 7: Finding and Using Images 105

Part III: Taking Precise Control over Web Pages and Styles 119

Chapter 8: Deprecated (X)HTML Markup 121

Chapter 9: Introducing Cascading Style Sheets 129

Chapter 10: Using Cascading Style Sheets 147

Chapter 11: Getting Creative with Colors and Fonts 169

Part IV: Scripting and (X)HTML 189

Chapter 12: Top 20 CSS Properties191

Chapter 13: Scripting Web Pages 211

Chapter 14: Working with Forms 221

Chapter 15: Bring the Best of the Web to Your Web Site 251

Chapter 16: Fun with Client-Side Scripts265

Chapter 17: Content Management Systems 279

Part V: The Future of (X)HTML 291

Chapter 18: Mobile Web Design 293

Chapter 19: Party On with HTML5 305

Chapter 20: CSS3 325

Part VI: The Part of Tens 343

Chapter 21: Ten HTML Do's and Don'ts 345

Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Exterminate Web Bugs 353

Chapter 23: Ten Cool HTML Tools and Technologies 361

Appendix A: Twitter Supporters 373

Index 377