Project Overview: Interactive Webpage
In this project stream, you'll build an interactive webpage using only the fundamental web technologies: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. No frameworks, no build tools — just files that run directly in your browser.
What We're Building
You'll create a complete, functional webpage that responds to user interaction. This could be:
- Personal portfolio: Showcase your projects with smooth scrolling and a contact form
- Bookmark manager: Save and organize links with localStorage persistence
- Quiz application: Present questions, track scores, show results
- Calculator: Buttons, display, mathematical operations
Choose one that interests you, or follow along with the portfolio example. The skills transfer regardless of which you build.
How the Technologies Fit Together
Think of building a webpage like building a house:
HTML is the structure — the walls, rooms, and doors. It defines what content exists and how it's organized. A heading, a paragraph, a button, a form — these are HTML elements.
CSS is the decoration — paint colors, furniture arrangement, lighting. It controls how everything looks: colors, spacing, fonts, layout. The same HTML can look completely different with different CSS.
JavaScript is the electricity and plumbing — the systems that make things work. It handles interactivity: what happens when you click a button, how data moves around, dynamic updates without page reloads.
Why No Frameworks?
Modern web development often uses frameworks like React or Vue. These are powerful tools, but they add complexity. Starting with vanilla HTML, CSS, and JavaScript teaches you what frameworks actually do under the hood.
When you understand the fundamentals, frameworks make more sense. You'll know when you need one and when plain HTML is enough.
Your Development Setup
You need only two things:
- A code editor (VS Code works great)
- A web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
Create a project folder with three files: index.html, styles.css, and script.js. Open index.html in your browser, and you're ready to build.
Every change you make, save the file and refresh the browser to see results. This immediate feedback loop makes frontend development satisfying — you see your work come to life instantly.