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General Discussion

Posted by Elizabeth Eymann
Elizabeth Eymann
12,209 Points

I want to be a web developer...where do I start?

Hi!

I want to be a web developer. I started with no knowledge of code and I've been working on the "Web Design" track here on treehouse. I've learnt so much! I've taken all the CSS and HTML related classes on the Web Design track. I only have Adobe Photo shop classes left and since I don't even have Adobe photo shop on my computer, I'm thinking I will skip those for now...

So, what would you guys recommend I learn next? Should I go for the Wordpress track or the PHP track next?

OR...should I go ahead and buy a domain and webhost, download a text editor and just use the skills I've learnt on the "Web Design" track to make myself a portfolio page?

I don't want to forget all the basic HTML and CSS skills I've obtained so far, but I don't want to undercut myself by not focusing on learning something like wordpress or PHP.

My immediate goals are to make myself a simple portfolio page where clients will eventually be able to come to me for website services.

Thanks! Liz

4 Answers

daniel rocha
daniel rocha
210 Points
daniel rocha
daniel rocha
210 Points

javascript, go for it!

andren
andren
28,558 Points
andren
andren
28,558 Points

Do you primarily want to be a web designer or a web developer? If web development is your passion then there is one language missing from your skill set which is JavaScript.

JavaScript is a scripting language that runs in browsers that allows you to add interactivity to your webpages, which is a pretty essential part of modern webpages these days.

Learning a server-side language like PHP would not hurt, but JavaScript definitively takes a higher priority, and these days it is somewhat commonly used as a server language as well.

Therefore I would recommend you start the Beginner JavaScript track first. After learning some of the basics of JavaScript you will be better equipped to make a professional looking and acting portfolio website.

jrs0801
jrs0801
259 Points

I would 100% put learning PHP in one's plans. It's so much easier landing a job with PHP knowledge.

Henrik Christensen
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Henrik Christensen
Python Web Development Techdegree Student 38,322 Points
Henrik Christensen
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Henrik Christensen
Python Web Development Techdegree Student 38,322 Points

I'd suggest that you might go download a texteditor (https://atom.io/ or http://brackets.io/ or https://www.sublimetext.com/) and try make a few projects to practice the html and css a little - this will help you remember what you've learned so far - then maybe go for JavaScript if you want to do front-end work

Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points
Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points

yep. I find it super easy to start on a new track or technology and then a couple weeks later have lost familiarity with the earlier technology. A project or two should help confirm understanding and maybe isolate any shortfalls in understanding.

Elizabeth Eymann
Elizabeth Eymann
12,209 Points
Elizabeth Eymann
Elizabeth Eymann
12,209 Points

Thanks everyone!