What is the purpose of HTML?

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language, serves as the foundational language for creating and structuring content on the web. Its primary function is to define the layout and organization of web pages by using a set of elements and tags. For instance, HTML allows developers to specify headings, paragraphs, links, images, lists, and other types of content, ensuring that it is presented logically and can be easily interpreted by web browsers. This structuring is critical for both usability and accessibility, as it enables users to navigate and understand the content effectively.

In contrast, styling web pages generally involves CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), which is responsible for the visual appearance, including colors, fonts, and layouts, while databases are managed through languages like SQL and are used for data management rather than content structuring. Security for web applications is typically addressed through programming practices and frameworks that ensure safe handling of data, rather than being a function of HTML. Thus, HTML is essential for structuring web content, making it easy to identify and display various elements within a webpage.