I'm new to cycling and have had trouble with inflating tyres. I don't know what Presta valves are or look like. Can someone describe them please?

The valves on my bike are the same as those on my car. I've had trouble getting pumps to seal properly and it is frustrating when in the process the tyre deflates more. I've tried the useless handpumps that fit on the bike (3 different brands) and have actually had the handle of one fall off the top while in use. Have now got a large pump (the type held down with feet while using two hands to pump) which has a great guage, but recently had great difficulty getting air to go in and I suspect in the process of trying to get the thing to seal, used too much force. I later found a flat tyre and on investigation there was a small split in the tube right at the base of the valve. Is there a secret to inflating tyres? At the moment I am very wary when using pumps. It makes a quick job unnecessarily long sometimes.