Definition
A hyperlink, commonly referred to simply as “link,” is an element within a hypertext document that enables users to navigate directly to another section of the same document or to an entirely different document or resource. These links are foundational to the web, creating connections between web pages and between discrete sections within larger documents. Hyperlinks can be found in websites, documents, and other digital content, and are typically generated using HTML code.
Characteristics
- Anchor Text or Graphic: The visible part of the link, which users click. This can be text (anchor text) or an image.
- URL: Uniform Resource Locator that the link points to, which could be another webpage, a file, or an anchor within the same document.
- Navigation: Enables efficient navigation by connecting related content, thus enhancing the usability and accessibility of web resources.
Examples
-
Text Hyperlink:
1<a href="https://www.example.com">Visit Example Website</a>In this case, “Visit Example Website” is the anchor text linking to an external website.
-
Image Hyperlink:
1<a href="https://www.example.com"> 2 <img src="logo.png" alt="Example Logo"> 3</a>Here, clicking on the image of “logo.png” will direct the user to “https://www.example.com”.
-
Internal Link:
1<a href="#section2">Go to Section 2</a>This link navigates within the same document to the section identified by
id="section2".
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do you create a hyperlink in HTML?
To create a hyperlink in HTML, use the <a> tag with the href attribute, which contains the URL of the link destination. For example:
1<a href="https://www.example.com">Example</a>
Q2: Can hyperlinks point to files other than web pages?
Yes, hyperlinks can point to various files such as PDFs, images, videos, or even application-specific files like Word documents or PDFs.
Q3: What is an anchor link?
An anchor link directs the user to a specific section within the same document. For example:
1<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>
Q4: Can links be styled differently?
Yes, links can be styled using CSS. This includes changing their color, underline, hover effects, etc. For example:
1a {
2 color: blue;
3}
4a:hover {
5 color: red;
6}
Q5: Are hyperlinks accessible to all users?
Hyperlinks must be properly constructed with descriptive anchor text and, if they use images, must include alt text to be accessible to users with disabilities who use screen readers.
Related Terms
- Anchor Text: The clickable text in a hyperlink.
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The web address that a hyperlink points to.
- Hypertext: Text displayed on a computer with references (hyperlinks) to other text that the reader can immediately access.
- HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): The standard language for creating web pages and hyperlinks.
Online References
Suggested Books
- “HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites” by Jon Duckett
- This book provides an introduction to HTML and CSS, with clear examples and strong visual aids.
- “Learning Web Design: A Beginner’s Guide to HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Web Graphics” by Jennifer Robbins
- This comprehensive guide introduces the fundamental technologies for web development.
- “Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability” by Steve Krug
- Explores web usability and the importance of well-designed hyperlinks in improving user experience.
Fundamentals of Hyperlink: Web Development Basics Quiz
Thank you for exploring the concept and functionalities of hyperlinks. Good luck mastering web development!
