What do I need to learn?

CaitSith4343 · 12-04-2005, 10:09 PM

Right now I want to learn how to code. I have a few sites, but I have had to pay for design and coding every time. I know I will probably never be to great at design because it takes talent, but coding seems like a thing that I could learn.

Anyway, I am looking to code websites templates and create custom hacks for forum software like vBulletin. Basically all I know about coding know are the names of languages. I know that I am going to need to learn CSS and PHP but I know there are others out there. Right now I know basic HTML like everyone and their mom out there, but if someone could give me a run down of everything I need to know to create fairly advanced sites that would be great. If someone could list them in order that I should probably learn them and provide any good books on the subjects if you know of any. If you dont know of any books thats fine, but I would really appreciate an ordered list.

Thanks guys,
CaitSith4343

Will.Spencer · 12-04-2005, 10:17 PM

I came to the web revolution kicking and screaming. I was quite happy with FTP, Gopher, and ASCII files. HTTP and HTML seemed unnecessarily complex to me.

Now that I am fully on the other side, I can share with you what I have had to learn.

It's good that you are starting with HTML. HTML is the most necessary skill for web development.

CSS should be next. CSS and SHTML (Shared HTML) give HTML great code reusability, which is absolutely critical for success with large web sites.

Because of web projects I wanted to complete, I have been forced to work in JavaScript and PHP. JavaScript is good for client-side scripts. PHP is good for server-side scripts.

I have also used PERL for web development. This is good, because PERL skills are also useful for non-web projects.

CaitSith4343 · 12-04-2005, 10:21 PM

Thanks for the help. I was thinking that CSS would be the next step after HTML but I wasn't quite sure. I think I am going to check out some books on the topic and buy what looks best.

One more question. What is Ruby on Rails? My friend was telling me about how versatile and useful it. What exactly would one use it for though?

deuce · 12-07-2005, 10:40 AM

Ruby is another PHP and Java alternative. It's just a scripting language.

It's not used very often, you would probably be better off learning PHP.

kelp · 12-07-2005, 04:03 PM

CSS and XHTML to keep the code semantic and accessible to people of all types of browsers. PHP to add more dynamic functions like store information of people or things.

brenda003 · 12-07-2005, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

I came to the web revolution kicking and screaming. I was quite happy with FTP, Gopher, and ASCII files. HTTP and HTML seemed unnecessarily complex to me.

That's funny, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I remember talking to my dad about how graphics on the Internet was just ridiculous - can you imagine? :lol:

CSS and PHP will allow you to tinker with most templates these days. I didn't know Perl was even used anymore. :wink:

Will.Spencer · 12-07-2005, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenda003

That's funny, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I remember talking to my dad about how graphics on the Internet was just ridiculous - can you imagine? :lol:

Hehehe -- remember the Lynx browser? :lol:

brenda003 · 12-09-2005, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

Hehehe -- remember the Lynx browser? :lol:

Haha, yep! And I remember when there were only a few websites. I wish now that I didn't fight the future so hard for so long - shoulda been capitalizing on it!

imported_krish · 12-09-2005, 05:36 AM

Ruby on Rails is getting more and more popular. At least the publicity it is receiving these days is tremondous.

I don't know how to go about it, but RailsStudio provides some free videos to start.

jess · 12-15-2005, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will.Spencer

Quote:

Originally Posted by brenda003

That's funny, I'm glad I'm not the only one. I remember talking to my dad about how graphics on the Internet was just ridiculous - can you imagine? :lol:

Hehehe -- remember the Lynx browser? :lol:

Isnt Lynx still around?
Or some form of it, used as a browser for blind people?

Will.Spencer · 12-15-2005, 12:56 AM

Lynx is still around, but Elinks kicks its butt.

etali · 12-15-2005, 07:49 AM

I'm an old-style browsing person too - I loved the old days of telnet, bbs-es, etc.

Good luck with learning HTML, etc. I agree with everyones suggestions of moving to CSS / XHTML - they are so much more useful than plain old HTML.

Fry · 12-18-2005, 07:06 PM

HTML won't take you long to learn

Just make sure you learn it the XHTML way - not alot of difference, however its the right way to do it now.

CSS will follow - again its quite easy to learn.

Good luck

zandyne · 01-29-2006, 05:42 PM

HTML is pretty easy to learn and is a must for basic web site design. After that, like others have said, familiarize yourself with CSS. It is not too difficult if you know HTML well.

john23 · 01-31-2006, 04:08 PM

I would learn in the following order: HTML -> CSS -> PHP

zeroth · 03-10-2006, 05:37 AM

Start with basic HTML, from there you can start to go into CSS classes and then PHP later on.

zemus · 03-24-2006, 07:23 PM

I think that a good understanding of CSS and then PHP will get you far in web design.