Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Explain the relationship between Markdown and HTML in web development.
  • Identify key differences between Markdown syntax and HTML tags.
  • Convert Markdown content into HTML manually and using automated tools.
  • Understand how frontend rendering connects to backend data handling in a full-stack environment.
  • Reflect on the advantages of using Markdown for project documentation and web publishing.

Why Convert Markdown to HTML?

  • Markdown is simple and easy to read for humans.
  • HTML is structured and readable by browsers.
  • Conversion makes it possible to write quickly while still producing web-ready content.

Markdown lets writers focus on content, while HTML focuses on how that content looks on a webpage.

Visual Infographic: Markdown → HTML Conversion

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1️⃣ Write Markdown

Simple text with symbols like **bold** or # headings.

Writers use Markdown for clear, minimal syntax to focus on content rather than styling.
⚙️

2️⃣ Conversion Tool

Engines like Jekyll or Markdown-it parse syntax and structure it.

These tools translate plain text Markdown into HTML — ready to render in browsers.
🌐

3️⃣ HTML Output

Markdown becomes styled, accessible web content — ready for browsers.

The output HTML is styled with CSS, responsive, and ready for deployment.

Basic Markdown Syntax

Markdown HTML Output Example
# Heading 1 <h1>Heading 1</h1> Heading 1
## Heading 2 <h2>Heading 2</h2> Heading 2
**Bold Text** <strong>Bold Text</strong> Bold Text
*Italic Text* <em>Italic Text</em> Italic Text
[Link Text](https://example.com) <a href="https://example.com">Link Text</a> Link Text
- List Item <ul><li>List Item</li></ul> - List Item

These examples show how simple Markdown commands translate directly into HTML elements.

How Conversion Works

  1. You write Markdown in a .md file.
  2. A conversion tool (like Jekyll, Markdown-it, or Python-Markdown) parses the Markdown syntax.
  3. The tool automatically generates HTML output, which can then be styled with CSS or embedded into a webpage.

This process is used by platforms like GitHub Pages, Notion, and Obsidian to render formatted documents.

Real-World Uses

  • GitHub: README.md files automatically render as HTML.
  • Blogging Platforms: Markdown posts are converted to static HTML.
  • Documentation: Tools like MkDocs and Sphinx use Markdown for content creation.
  • Static Site Generators: Markdown powers entire websites when compiled into HTML.

WordQuill Helper

Try typing Markdown below — watch your formatted HTML appear live!

Markdown Editor

HTML Preview

Summary

Markdown is fast to write, clean to read, and perfect for creating web content.
HTML provides the structure that browsers need to display it properly.
Learning how Markdown converts to HTML helps bridge writing and web development skills.

Introduction to Full Stack Development (Part 1 — The Frontend)

Overview

In full stack development, the frontend is the part of the system responsible for interacting with users and communicating with the backend through APIs.
This lesson introduces how the frontend fits into a full stack workflow — including how it sends and receives data, manages user interfaces, and maintains synchronization with backend services.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • Describe the role of the frontend in a full stack application.
  • Understand how the frontend connects to backend endpoints (APIs).
  • Identify key technologies used in full stack frontends (HTML, CSS, JS, frameworks).
  • Build a simple user interface that sends data to and retrieves data from a backend.

The Frontend in the Full Stack Pipeline

A full stack application has three main layers:

Layer Description Example Technologies
Frontend (Client) Displays information to users and collects input HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Vue
Backend (Server) Handles logic, authentication, and routes Flask, Node.js, Django
Database Stores and retrieves persistent data SQLite, PostgreSQL, MongoDB

The frontend’s job in this system is to:

  1. Present data from the backend in a structured and styled way.
  2. Collect user input and send it to backend routes (usually through HTTP requests).
  3. React to backend responses by updating what’s shown on the page.

Full Stack Infographic

Every part of a web app — from visuals to logic — plays a role.

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Frontend

What users see and interact with — HTML, CSS, JavaScript.

Responsible for layout, visuals, and data presentation.
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Backend

Server logic, APIs, data handling with Flask or Node.js.

Manages authentication, logic, and communication with the database.
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Database

Stores persistent data — SQLite, PostgreSQL, MongoDB.

Handles all data storage and retrieval through structured queries.

Student Free Response

Review the HTML and JavaScript code from this lesson. Explain how it demonstrates *frontend–backend interaction* in a full stack system. .

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