What is Markdown
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that allows people to write documents using an easy-to-read and easy-to-write plain text format.
What is Markdown?
1. Introduction to Markdown
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004 (with some syntax co-designed by Aaron Swartz). Its core goal is:
To allow people to write documents using an easy-to-read and easy-to-write plain text format, while being able to easily convert to HTML and other formats.
Files typically use .md or .markdown extensions, and the content is essentially plain text, but achieves formatting through simple symbols (like #, *, []()) without complex operations.
2. Why Choose Markdown?
1. Core Advantages
- Easy to Read and Write: Intuitive syntax (e.g.,
**bold**directly displays as bold), documents remain clear and readable even without rendering. - Lightweight: No bloated software needed, can be edited with any text editor (like Notepad).
- Cross-Platform Universal: Supports Windows/macOS/Linux/iOS/Android, compatible with all mainstream editors and platforms (like GitHub, VS Code, Typora).
- Quick Conversion: Can be rendered to HTML, PDF, PPT, and even e-book formats (through tools like Pandoc).
2. Typical Use Cases
- 📝 Technical Documentation: Like
README.mdfiles in GitHub projects. - 📄 Blogs/Notes: Native support in WordPress, Ghost, and other blog platforms; commonly used in knowledge management tools like Obsidian, Notion.
- 📊 Data Science: Directly writing analysis reports in tools like RStudio, embedding code and charts.
- 🎤 Presentations: Generating slides through tools (like Marp).
3. Markdown Basic Syntax Examples
1. Headings (Clear Hierarchy)
Actual Effect:
Level 1 Heading
Level 2 Heading
Level 3 Heading
2. Text Formatting
| Effect | Syntax |
|---|---|
| Bold | **text** |
| Italic | *text* |
~~text~~ | |
| ==Highlight== | ==text== (supported by some editors) |
3. Lists and Links
- Unordered list:
- itemor* item - Ordered list:
1. First item - Link:
[display text](URL)→ Google - Image:
4. Evolution of Markdown
- Standardization Efforts: Due to different platforms extending syntax (like tables, task lists), the community pushed for unified standards:
- CommonMark (2014): Resolved ambiguities in original syntax, established strict specifications.
- GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) (2017): Added practical features like tables and strikethrough on top of CommonMark (like GitHub's README support).
Summary
Markdown achieves efficient formatting with minimal symbols, balancing content focus with format flexibility. Whether programmers writing documentation, bloggers publishing articles, or students taking notes, it's a powerful tool for improving efficiency.
🌟 "Write the future with text, define format with markup" — This might be the charm of Markdown.