Know and understand the function of a hyperlink

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago

ICT 0417 – Website Authoring: The Function of a Hyperlink

Website Authoring – The Function of a Hyperlink

What is a Hyperlink?

A hyperlink (or simply a link) is an element on a web page that allows the user to jump to another location. This location can be another page, a different part of the same page, a file, an email address, or any resource that can be addressed by a URL.

Why Are Hyperlinks Important?

  • Connects related information, creating a network of pages.

  • Enables easy navigation for users.

  • Facilitates access to external resources such as documents, videos, and other websites.

  • Supports web‑based communication (e.g., email links).

How a Hyperlink Works

  1. The author adds an <a> (anchor) element to the HTML code.

  2. The href attribute of the anchor contains the destination URL.

  3. When a user clicks the link, the browser reads the URL and sends a request to the appropriate server.

  4. The server returns the requested resource, which the browser then displays.

Common Types of Hyperlinks

  • External link: Takes the user to a page on a different website.

  • Internal link: Moves the user to another page within the same website.

  • Anchor link: Jumps to a specific section of the current page using an ID.

  • Email link: Opens the user's default email client with a pre‑filled address (using mailto:).

  • Download link: Starts a file download rather than displaying the file.

Key Attributes of the <a> Element

AttributePurposeExample \cdot alue
hrefSpecifies the destination URL.https://www.example.com
targetControls where the linked document opens._blank (new tab/window)
titleProvides additional information shown as a tooltip."Visit Example.com"
downloadInstructs the browser to download the linked file.filename.pdf
relDefines the relationship between the current page and the linked resource.noopener noreferrer

Simple Example of a Hyperlink

The following code creates a link that opens the IGCSE ICT homepage in a new tab:

<a href="https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-igcse-information-technology-0417/" target="_blank" title="Cambridge IGCSE ICT">IGCSE ICT 0417</a>

Suggested diagram: Flow of a hyperlink click from user interaction to server response and page rendering.

Summary

Hyperlinks are the fundamental building blocks of web navigation. By using the <a> element and its attributes, authors can connect pages, resources, and actions, providing a seamless experience for users.