## Introduction 
Welcome to Lesson 2.1: Basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This lesson is part of Module 2: Core Skills - Web Development Basics in the Frontend Development for Aspiring Developers course. In this lesson, we'll explore the fundamental building blocks of web development: HTML structure and elements, styling with CSS, and an introduction to JavaScript functionality. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to create simple web pages using these three core technologies, setting a solid foundation for your journey into frontend development.
## Main Content 
### HTML Structure and Elements 
HTML, or HyperText Markup Language, is the backbone of any web page. It provides the structure that allows browsers to render content correctly. Essentially, HTML uses "tags" to denote different elements on a page. For instance, the `<html>` tag defines the beginning and end of an HTML document, while the `<head>` tag contains meta-information about the document, such as the title and links to stylesheets. The `<body>` tag is where the visible content, like text and images, is placed.
A simple HTML snippet might look like this:
```html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
 <title>Welcome to Test_Company</title>
</head>
<body>
 <h1>Welcome to Test_Company!</h1>
 <p>Your trusted partner in Fintech solutions.</p>
</body>
</html>
```
In this example, `<h1>` is used for the main heading, and `<p>` is used for a paragraph. Understanding these basic tags will allow you to structure your web content effectively.
### Styling with CSS 
Once you have a basic HTML structure in place, the next step is to make it visually appealing, which is where CSS, or Cascading Style Sheets, comes into play. CSS allows you to apply styles to your HTML elements, controlling aspects like color, layout, and typography.
For example, you can change the background color of your webpage and style the heading using the following CSS:
```css
body {
 background-color: #f0f0f0;
}
h1 {
 color: #2c3e50;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
}
```
You would include this CSS in your HTML document within a `<style>` tag inside the `<head>` section:
```html
<head>
 <title>Welcome to Test_Company</title>
 <style>
 body {
 background-color: #f0f0f0;
 }
 h1 {
 color: #2c3e50;
 font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
 }
 </style>
</head>
```
Using CSS, you can significantly enhance the user experience by making your web pages not only functional but also attractive. 
### Introduction to JavaScript Functionality 
JavaScript brings interactivity to your web pages. It’s a programming language that enables you to implement dynamic features. For example, you can create alerts, validate forms, or respond to user inputs without reloading the page.
Here’s a simple example that shows how you might use JavaScript to display a welcome alert when a user visits your site:
```html
<script>
 window.onload = function() {
 alert("Welcome to Test_Company!");
 }
</script>
```
You would place this script just before the closing `</body>` tag to ensure that everything else loads first. JavaScript can be used in various ways to improve user engagement, such as creating responsive buttons or handling user feedback.
For instance, you could enhance your webpage further by adding a button that users can click to reveal additional information about your services. Here’s how you might implement that:
```html
<button onclick="showInfo()">Learn More</button>
<p id="info" style="display:none;">We offer a range of financial solutions tailored to your needs.</p>
<script>
 function showInfo() {
 document.getElementById('info').style.display = 'block';
 }
</script>
```
This example demonstrates how JavaScript can make your webpage interactive, providing users with a more engaging experience.
## Conclusion 
In this lesson, we have covered the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You learned how to structure a webpage with HTML, style it using CSS, and add interactivity with JavaScript. These skills are foundational for creating engaging web applications in the finance and fintech sectors. As you continue your learning journey, remember that practice is key to becoming proficient in these technologies.
## Reflection Questions 
1. How would you use HTML to create a simple webpage for a new financial product offered by Test_Company? 
2. In what ways could CSS enhance the user experience on a fintech website? 
3. Can you think of a feature that JavaScript could enable on a financial application you would like to develop?