Markdown is a lightweight markup language with plain-text-formatting syntax. Created in 2004 by John Gruber and Aaron Swartz, Markdown is often used for formatting readme files, for writing messages in online discussion forums, and to create rich text using a plain text editor. Markdown files typically end with the extensions .md or ..
Basic Markdown Formatting
Markdown syntax allows you to format text using symbols. For example:
- Asterisks or underscores can be used for italic or bold text.
- Hash symbols create headers at different levels.
- Indenting with a greater-than sign is used for block quoting.
It is essential to understand Markdown syntax if you frequently write or edit text online. Markdown provides a straightforward way to format text without the need to use complex HTML code. By learning Markdown, you can quickly create visually appealing and structured content.
Common Markdown Commands
Headings
In Markdown, headings are created using hash symbols (#). The number of hash symbols indicates the level of the heading. For example:
-
Heading 2
Lists
Markdown supports both ordered and unordered lists. To create an unordered list, use asterisks, plus signs, or hyphens as bullet points. For ordered lists, use numbers followed by a period.
Markdown is widely used due to its simplicity and compatibility with various online platforms and tools. Whether you are a developer documenting code, a blogger writing articles, or a student taking notes, Markdown can streamline the formatting process and make your content more readable.
References
By mastering Markdown syntax, you can enhance your productivity when creating and formatting content for the web.