> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://howtocode.trek.io/topics/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://howtocode.trek.io/topics/deep-dives/html-css/html-basics/linking.md).

# Linking

## Introduction

Links are the glue holding the web together, so make sure you understand how to properly link to external websites AND internal files.

## Learning outcomes

* What's the difference between internal links (/somepage) and external links (<http://www.somesite.com/somepage)?>
* When on a webpage should you use the full URI (with the `http://yoursite.com/somepath`) and when should you use the relative path (`/somepath`)?
* How do you navigate the document tree with links (../../someotherpage)?
* How do you open links in external windows?
* What are all the possible pseudo-states (e.g. `:hover`) of a link and when are they actually activated?  How do you change styles based on them?

## Assignment

1. Read [Lena Shore's explanation of the difference between absolute and relative paths](http://www.lenashore.com/2011/12/the-difference-between-absolute-and-relative-paths/).
2. Browse [Boogie Jack's article on link paths](http://www.boogiejack.com/server_paths.html).
3. Read [Six Revisions' article on link pseudo-classes](http://sixrevisions.com/css/link-pseudo-classes/).

## Additional resources

This section contains helpful links to other content. It isn't required, so consider it supplemental for if you need to dive deeper into something.

* Glance over [About.com's article on linking](http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/a/aa040502a.htm) if you need any additional support


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