A Beginner's Guide to Markdown Language And How It Works

Anybody who has ever worked with any tech content, written a blog, or contributed to a GitHub repo has likely come across Markdown.
Markdown is an extremely widely used tool for text formatting—the simplest and neatest way to structure content without gaudy software or snazzy design tricks.

What is Markdown Language?

Markdown language is a lightweight markup language that is easy and readable, even without the use of HTML codes when in plain text. It was invented in 2004 by John Gruber, and it was meant to enable individuals to write material that could be easily translated into HTML.

Perhaps one of the best things about Markdown is its readability even in plain text form, which was one of Gruber's initial ideas. Its simple character and natural-looking formatting symbols render this language universally utilized.

Because the Markdown language is plain text, you will not require any special or complex tools to begin. Markdown is applied on numerous platforms, particularly:

• Development platforms (such as GitHub or Bitbucket)

• Writing platforms (such as Notion or Guage)

• Blogging platforms (such as WordPress, Substack, or Ghost)

Anyone ranging from the writer, through the developer, up to content creators who have previously worked with "Markdown language" can utilize it and this versatility.

Markdown Language vs. Other Tools

Most standard word processors work by graphical interface, meaning you click buttons to bold text, italicize it, etc. This is what people call a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor.

Markdown, however, is the act of directly embedding formatting syntax into your writing. A few simple examples follow:

This way, you remember to focus on writing, and to disregard toolbars and design menus.

Why Use Markdown Language?

There are a variety of reasons why users prefer to write in the Markdown language:

• Simplicity: You don't require design abilities or design tools in order to utilize it.

• Expediency: Writing is quick and you have hardly any formatting but very effective.

• Compatibility: It is cross platform compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS operating systems.

• Developer Support: Markdown is well supported on Git platforms and code repositories.

• Conversion: Convert easily to HTML, PDF, Word, and others using some software like Pandoc.

If you are writing software documentation, writing a technical manual, or writing a blog or web article, you can keep it all tidy and simple.

Markdown is a bit of a markup language, which can be used to write in an easy-to-read format that can be converted to HTML.

A Few Common Markdown Elements

Headings

Text Formatting

Lists

Links

This plain but extremely concise organization makes Markdown wonderful for novices and experts both.

Markdown Online Editors

To make it even simpler, many people use online Markdown editors. They are web-based composing applications that enable you to compose in Markdown and see your output live. They usually pop open in a split window - composing on one half and live output on the other.

Some Popular Markdown Editors:

• Dillinger

• HackMD

• StackEdit

• Markable

• Folge.me

These are particularly useful if you plan to work with other individuals, utilize Github, or publish. Some of these editors permit you to save to the cloud or save in another format.

Advantages of Online Editors:

• Live Preview: Immediately see the effect of your Markdown syntax on-screen.

• Collaboration: Share documents with your team.

• Integration: Integrate with already existing services like Github, Google Drive, Dropbox.

Improving Markdown - Plugins and Tools

As you get more familiar, you can "supercharge" Markdown. For instance, you can make use of Pandoc, to render your Markdown article into HTML, Word, LaTeX, or PDF.

Some content management systems even provide paid plugins, such as sanity-plugin-markdown, with features like inline previews or advanced formatting.

Using a Markdown Cheat Sheet

Although Markdown itself is very simple to learn, using a cheat sheet will make things easier—especially at first.

A Markdown cheat sheet provides a list of commonly used formatting characters and what each of them does.

Most Cheat Sheets Come in Two Formats:

• Basic Syntax: Covers standard formatting options, like headings, emphasis, and lists.

• Extended Syntax: Includes functionality such as a table of contents, check boxes, and footnotes (which are only supported in some platforms).

GitHub and other platforms also usually have downloadable Markdown cheat sheets so you can quickly refer to them.

Wrap Up

Markdown is a great resource for anyone who needs a quick means of writing content free from distractions. It is especially useful for developers, bloggers, and tech writers who would love a writing tool that works simply—no software required.

Once you learn the system, writing in Markdown will be second nature to you. Whether you're writing a README file for a GitHub project, or drafting your next article, Markdown can provide you with a quick, clean, consistent and efficient writing process.

FAQs

Is Markdown superior to HTML?
Markdown is simpler for straightforward tasks, while HTML significantly enhances the purpose with complicated layouts.

Can you blog using Markdown?
In fact, blogging engines such as Jekyll, Hugo, and Ghost natively support Markdown.

Does Google employ Markdown?
Google, and several other technology firms, employ Markdown for internal and documentation content on GitHub and other like tools.