Which HTML tag is used to create a hyperlink?

The HTML tag used to create a hyperlink is the <a> tag.

Understanding the <a> Tag

The <a> (anchor) tag is fundamental for creating links between web pages. It allows users to navigate from one resource to another, whether it's another page on the same website or a different site entirely.

Key Attributes

href: The href attribute is the most important attribute within the <a> tag. It specifies the destination of the link. This could be a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) pointing to another webpage, an email address, a specific section within the current page, or another type of file.
- Example: <a href="https://www.example.com">Visit Example</a> - this creates a hyperlink to example.com.
target: The target attribute specifies where to open the linked document. Common values include:
- _blank: Opens the link in a new tab or window.
- _self: Opens the link in the same frame as it was clicked (default).
- _parent: Opens the link in the parent frame.
- _top: Opens the link in the full body of the window.

How Links Appear by Default

By default, browsers style links in a consistent way:

An unvisited link is typically underlined and blue.
A visited link is typically underlined and purple.
An active link is typically underlined and red.

However, these default styles can be changed using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets).

Example of Using the <a> Tag

<p>
  This is an example of using the  
  <a href="https://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp" target="_blank">HTML</a>
   link, which will open a new tab to the HTML Tutorial on W3Schools.
</p>

In this example, the text "HTML" is made into a clickable link, which takes the user to the specified URL in a new tab when clicked.

Summary

In summary, the <a> tag is the foundational element for creating hyperlinks in HTML, making it essential for building interconnected websites. The href attribute within the tag is crucial for setting the target of the link. Understanding and utilizing the <a> tag effectively is critical for any web developer or anyone involved in creating HTML documents. The reference material confirms that the <a> tag is indeed the correct tag and explains its functionality: "The <a> tag defines a hyperlink, which is used to link from one page to another. The most important attribute of the <a element is the href attribute, which indicates the link's destination."

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