INF-301: HTML and CSS – Building the Foundations of the Web - Firefly Open Source Community

INF-301 is a foundational course that introduces students to the core technologies behind every website: HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). These two languages work together to create structured, visually engaging, and responsive web pages that function across various devices and platforms.

HTML is the backbone of the web. It provides the basic structure for web pages by organizing content into elements such as headings, paragraphs, images, links, lists, and forms. Each element is defined using tags, which browsers interpret to render content correctly.

For example, <h1> denotes a main heading, while <p> represents a paragraph. By nesting and combining different tags, developers create page layouts that are logical and accessible.

In INF-301, students learn how to build pages from scratch using semantic HTML. This means using tags in a way that accurately describes the content, which improves both accessibility and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

While HTML provides the structure, CSS adds style. CSS controls how elements appear—this includes colors, fonts, layouts, spacing, and responsiveness. Through CSS, designers can turn a plain HTML page into a visually appealing website.

CSS can be written inline (within an HTML element), embedded (in the head section of an HTML document), or externally (in a separate .css file). External CSS is most common, allowing developers to manage style separately from content and reuse styles across multiple pages.

INF-301 emphasizes best practices in styling, such as using classes and IDs for targeted design, applying responsive techniques with media queries, and understanding the box model—a concept that explains how margins, borders, padding, and content interact.

Hands-on assignments and projects are an essential part of the course. Students may be asked to recreate real-world websites, develop personal portfolios, or collaborate on group projects that simulate actual client work.

Every web application, regardless of how advanced or interactive it becomes, starts with HTML and CSS. Understanding these technologies provides a solid base for learning more complex front-end frameworks like JavaScript, React, or Vue.js.

Moreover, knowledge of HTML and CSS is not just for aspiring developers. Designers, content creators, marketers, and even project managers benefit from a basic understanding of how websites are built.

INF-301: HTML and CSS is more than just a coding course—it’s the entry point into the digital world. Whether you’re looking to become a web developer or simply want to understand how websites function, mastering HTML and CSS is the first step. With these tools, students are empowered to create, design, and innovate on the web.