This topic contains conceptual information about creating Web pages and choosing an authoring tool to meet your needs.
Unlike typical word processor files, Web pages are formatted in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). HTML files are standard text (ASCII) files with special HTML tags inserted to format document attributes, such as font type, paragraph spacing, or background color. You can use HTML to create links, called hyperlinks, from your Web page to another place in the same document, or to other Web pages.
You do not need to learn HTML to create Web pages. You can use a variety of available authoring tools to easily create, edit, and publish your Web content.
When choosing an HTML authoring tool you should consider your level of experience and the type of content you want to publish on your Web page. If you are new to Web page authoring, you may want to use an authoring tool that does not require you to know HTML. Some tools feature a WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") user interface similar to those used in word processors, such as Microsoft® Word. This means that if you know how to use a word processor, you can create Web pages. Microsoft® FrontPage is a good example of an easy-to-use WYSIWYG editor that has convenient wizards and templates for formatting your document automatically. As you create and edit your Web page, FrontPage displays the page as it would appear in a Web browser.
You can also publish Web pages by converting an existing document into an HTML document. You can import your word processor and spreadsheet files into a converter and quickly turn them into Web pages. However, most converters only add HTML formatting tags to your text and sometimes do not preserve the original appearance of your document. You will find converters especially useful if you need to publish many existing documents that will not need frequent updating. Many word processing programs, such as Microsoft Word, have HTML conversion features.
If you choose, you can also create Web pages with a standard text editor, such as Notepad. You can type in the HTML tags and preview your page by saving it, and then opening it in a Web browser. Some experienced users prefer this method because it provides users with more control over Web page formatting. If you choose to create Web pages this way, you need to be familiar with HTML and also be prepared to spend time troubleshooting your HTML files. For more information, see Creating a Web Page with a Text Editor.
Your Web page content is not limited to text, tables, and graphics, you can also add items such as sound and video. However, you will need appropriate software to create and edit those multimedia files. With programs such as Microsoft® NetShow™, which is available with Internet Information Server, you can easily add real-time sound and video to your Web page.
Using HTML you can also create links to almost any other file format, including Microsoft® Office files. However, remote users must have the correct Web browsers and programs to view the non-HTML files. For example, if you know that all remote users will have Microsoft« Excel and a Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 3.0 or later, Web browser, you can include links to a Microsoft Excel worksheet. When the user clicks the link, the document will appear in Microsoft Excel format in the user's Web browser.
Today, most commercial Web sites use sophisticated, interactive Web pages to provide users with more informative and engaging types of content. These Web pages, often described as Web applications, incorporate processing programs, called scripts, that can retrieve information in response to user requests. One type of Web application is called an Active Server Pages application. Active Server Pages applications utilize scripts written in the HTML page that are processed on the server. You can write ASP scripts to provide interactivity to your web pages such as an entry form to collect a user's request, retrieve relevant information from a database, and return the information to the user. You can create Web applications that also incorporate multimedia content. Using scripting methods, which you can learn more about in the Web Applications section, and a combination of different tools, you can build dynamic Web sites for intranets and the Internet.
Microsoft® Visual InterDev™ is a powerful Web application development tool that you can use to rapidly develop interactive Web sites. Visual InterDev features database tools that make it easy to connect your Web site to Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) compliant databases.