Forem: Saravanan Lakshmanan

Basics of HTML and CSS

Saravanan Lakshmanan — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:56:17 +0000

Difference between HTML and CSS
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are the foundational technologies for creating web pages. HTML provides the structure, while CSS defines the style and layout. HTML is used along with CSS and Javascript to design web pages.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
HTML is the standard markup language used to create web pages. It structures the content by using elements such as headings, paragraphs, lists, links, images, and more. HTML elements are the building blocks of web pages, allowing developers to embed multimedia, create forms, and design the overall layout.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">

<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" 
          content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>GeeksforGeeks</title>
</head>
<html>

<body>
    <h1>Welcome to GeeksForGeeks</h1>
</body>

</html>

</html>

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets and it is used to style web documents. It is used to provide the background color and is also used for styling. It controls the layout, colors, fonts, and overall look of a web page. CSS is also recommended by World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It can also be used along with HTML and Javascript to design web pages.

<html>
<head>
    <style>
        body {
            background-color: red;
        }
    </style>
</head>

<body>
    <h1>Welcome to GeeksForGeeks!</h1>

    <p>This page has red background color</p>
</body>
</html>

What is a Markup Language?
When we start learning web development, one of the first words we hear is Markup Language.
But what does it actually mean?

Imagine This First

Suppose you write notes in a notebook.

You might:

Write the title in big letters
Underline headings
Use bullet points for lists

You are marking your text so it looks organized.

A computer needs the same kind of instructions.

That is exactly what a Markup Language does.

What is Raw Data?
Raw data = original data collected directly.
It is unprocessed, unorganized, and not cleaned.

Think of it as data in its natural form.

Example:

A teacher collects student marks:
85, 90, 78, 92, 67, 88

What is Metadata?
Metadata = Data about data

It gives information describing the data.

Think like this:
A photo in your phone
The photo is the data.

Reference:https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/html/explain-different-markup-languages-other-than-html/

All about Linux

Saravanan Lakshmanan — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:11:47 +0000

What Is a Linux Server?
A Linux server is a server that runs the Linux operating system, an open-source OS. It’s widely used in enterprise IT because it’s stable, cost-efficient, and adaptable to different workloads.

Linux is used by about 57.5% of all websites where the operating system is known.

Why Are Linux Servers So Widely Used?
Linux remains popular for two big reasons:

Flexibility
Cost-effectiveness

Enhanced Security
Linux servers are designed with security at their core.
How?

For example, an admin can make certain files read-only to prevent unauthorized edits or restrict execution rights to reduce the risk of malicious programs running.

Linux is powerful and widely used, but it does have some disadvantages-especially depending on your needs and experience level:

Steep Learning Curve

For beginners, Linux can be harder to use than Windows or macOS. Many tasks require using the command line, which can feel unfamiliar.

Limited Software Availability

Some popular commercial software (like Adobe Photoshop, MS Office full version, certain games) either doesn’t run on Linux or needs workarounds (like Wine or virtual machines).

Hardware Compatibility Issues

Not all hardware manufacturers provide drivers for Linux. This can cause problems with things like Wi-Fi adapters, printers, or GPUs (especially newer devices).

Gaming Limitations

Although improving (thanks to Steam and Proton), Linux still doesn’t support all games, especially those with anti-cheat systems.

Fragmentation

There are many Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, etc.). While this offers flexibility, it can also confuse users and create inconsistencies.

Less Commercial Support

Compared to Windows/macOS, Linux has less official support from software vendors, though community support is strong.

Complex Troubleshooting

Fixing issues often involves reading logs, using terminal commands, or searching forums—less straightforward than GUI-based fixes.

Inconsistent User Experience

Different desktop environments (GNOME, KDE, etc.) can behave very differently, leading to inconsistency across systems.

Reference: https://www.logicmonitor.com/blog/why-linux-is-a-popular-choice-for-servers

Day 1 Learning: Course Roadmap, GitLab & Linux Basics

Saravanan Lakshmanan — Wed, 13 May 2026 13:32:32 +0000

📚 Course Roadmap
Frontend order:

HTML → Structure of webpages
CSS → Styling webpages
JavaScript → Making webpages interactive
React → Building real web applications

After finishing frontend, we will move to Backend:

Java
Python
PostgreSQL (Database)
Some additional tools later

☁️ GitLab and it's uses:

GitLab is a cloud platform to store our code online.
It helps us upload our project and keep it safe.
We can track changes and update our project anytime.
Companies use tools like GitLab for teamwork and version control.
So after completing our project, we will upload it to GitLab.

🐧 Linux and it's uses:

Trainer suggested learning Linux even though we use Windows.
Most real-world servers run on Linux.
Linux is fast and lightweight.
It is open-source and free.
Many companies prefer Linux for development and servers.
So learning Linux is very useful for future jobs.

🖥️ Types of Computer Interfaces

We learned how we interact with computers.
GUI (Graphical User Interface)
Use mouse and icons
Example: Windows
CLI / CUI (Command Line Interface)
Type commands in terminal
Example: Linux Terminal
Faster and commonly used by developers

💻 Basic Linux Commands Learned:

pwd → Shows current folder location
ls → Lists files and folders
cd → Move between folders
touch → Create new file
mkdir → Create new folder

These all are I have learnt in Day 1