It is playing by numbers.
the strings are as follows:
e -------------------1---
B ----------------1------
G -------------2---------
D ----------3------------
A -------3---------------
E ---1-------------------
The numbers represent what fret you press down on and what string.
Below would be an example of a chord when all strings are strummed at the same time.
e ---1-------------------
B ---1-------------------
G ---2-------------------
D ---3-------------------
A ---3-------------------
E ---1-------------------
Slides are represented by a slash either up or down.
Hammer on = h
Pull off = p
Palm mute = pm
Vibrato = ~
There are places on this site that explain all of this but this will get you started.
I would also get a chord chart that tells you what fingers to use and how to place them. There is nothing like getting into a bad habbit then finding out later that you have to change that habbit. Very hard to do.
If I could do it all over again I would have gotten lessons. You find out all the short cuts and proper way to do things.
Eddie