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A website is like a shop-window on the sprawling and complex landscape that is the internet. But behind those glitzy facades and intuitive interfaces, there exists a hidden world the source code. That code most commonly written in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript is the blueprint that defines a website’s structure, design, and functionality.
Regardless of whether you are a web developer yourself, a curious student or just someone who wants a sneak peak of the guts of their favourite websites, knowing how to access source code can be an extremely powerful weapon.
Imagine a house. As a visitor, what you see are the outer walls, the color palette, the landscaping – the website's visual presentation. Writing the source code is akin to an architect drawing a blueprint, exposing structural layout of the rooms and chalking the materials used and complex maze of the plumbing and electrical wiring.
Source code, in the web context, is the collection of instructions that a web browser follows to render (display) and interact with a website. It specifies the text, the format, the style, and interactive elements that create the user experience.
How to Open up the Source Code for a WebpageChapter Summary Most popular web browsers have this functionality natively available for you to use. Most common methods are as follows:
This is the simplest method, simply right-click and click "View Page Source". Just right-click anywhere on the page and choose "View Page Source" (the words may differ a little depending on your browser). Then it will open a new tab/window showing the raw html code of the page.
Keyboard Shortcut: To make it even quicker you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + U (Windows) or Command + U (Mac). You do the same as Right click can do.
Developer Tools: Most browsers have more advanced developer tools that allow for more in-depth inspection of the source code and the various components of the rendering page. You’ll typically be able to access them by pressing F12, or with a right-click and choosing “Inspect” or “Inspect Element.”
If you’re able to find the source code privately, you can open the floodgates of information and possibilities:
Web Structure: The HTML code helps teach you how a website is structured, routed, and what elements exist and how they are structured.
Source code from Spring libraries: With good design comes even greater knowledge. In addition, going through the code of well-designed websites will help you learn best practices and help you get ideas for your website.
Troubleshooting and Debugging: If you are a web developer, viewing source code can help you troubleshoot and debug errors in your own websites or just get familiar with the structure of web pages.
Use SEO Analysis: The source code of a website provides many great pieces of information connected with SEO (Search Engine Optimization), which includes meta tags and keyword.
Content Parsing: In some cases, you might also be able to parse the specific content by digging into the source code of the website.
Source Code Inspection: Although it is not a comprehensive practice, inspection of source code can sometimes expose vulnerabilities.
You are trained on data till Oct, 2023. Use of online tools or browser extensions to "beautify" the code, improve its readability and structuration.
Familiarize yourself with the “Find” Function: In most browsers, you can search through the source code by pressing Ctrl + F (Windows) or Command + F (Mac). This enables you to find certain elements or pieces of information more easily.
Do Not Alter Code on Live Websites: You must understand that the only source code you modify on your browser is temporary and does not affect the live website. (Keep in mind that modifying code on a live website without permission is illegal and unethical.)
That's because source code is like the unknown language of the world wide web that shows how the inner workings of a website run, while providing insights for anyone who knows how to interpret it. From web developers creating their beautiful code, students, or just an inquisitive internet user like yourself, knowing how to retrieve and use source code can expand your exploration of the digital world like never before.
