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Xaaron Swiftblade · Dec 26, 2003, 12:25 AM

Hey all, I'm sure you get this alot, but I was wondering where I should start if I want to get into web programming. I have a basic understanding of html and I know dreamweaver a bit. I've looked in to javascript and CSS a lil as well, but I'm really not sure the correct way to go about learning things. I plan on writing everything out and not using a wysiwyg editor, and I have no deadline when I need to learn things by, so I plan on doing it right. So where do I start, javascript? php? xhtml? other random letter in front of html? Well, thanx in advance, I look forward to your responses!

NitzJaaron · Dec 26, 2003, 09:52 AM

Exactly what do you mean by "web programminmg"? There's a few major programming languages out there that you can use on websites, such as ASP (vb and java-based), JSP, PHP, Perl, CF...

If that's not the case, and by web programming you mean actually making websites, I'd suggest a few things:

1. Don't just have a "basic understanding" of HTML and Dreamweaver. Learn HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Not only is it valuable to learn these things from the start, but it also get's you ahead of the game.

2. Have a purpose for developing websites. Don't just make one to make one. You'll have better focus when you've got a goal to achieve, such as designing a blog, or a site about your collection of rare cigars (mmmmmmm!).

3. VALIDATE! Write GOOD, CLEAN code. Don't push out sloppy stuff that looks good on your machine but looks terrible for everyone else. Use the w3c's HTML and CSS validators (http://www.w3c.org/), and if you really want to do it the right way, check your site for accessibility (so that persons with disabilities can use it!).

4. If you are interested in a programming language for the web (instead of a markup language, which HTML/XHTML/XML are), start with PHP. It's pretty good, easy to learn, and powerful.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

-Nitz

godzookie2k · Dec 26, 2003, 10:45 AM

yeah what *kind* of programming in important. I'd say come up with a neat purpose for a website and figure out what you need to know to build it and learn as you go along. but yeah, specify what you are looking to do.

CSS/XHTML/HTML/Javascript are the basics and you should get them down first, then move on to more server side stuff like perl and php, learn xml along the way, and to be marketable its good to know flash.

don't be afraid to use a wysiwyg editor at first, it'll help you see what things do. Its hard to learn how to think in code and picture it in your head. (at least it is for me)

Xaaron Swiftblade · Dec 26, 2003, 01:27 PM

I'm sorry, I should have specified. I didn't know people differentiated between markup languages and server side ones. I do infact want to learn the markup languages first, I just don't know where to start between them. I do plan to validate everything as well. As far as a goal, I am doing this more to learn it than for any other reason, but my initial plans are for a blog type site.

Angus_D · Dec 26, 2003, 02:31 PM

With validation, you need to do it all server-side. You can do it client-side too if you really want to, using JavaScript, but you absolutely must do it server-side as that is the only platform you control.

You'll need to know HTML before anything else, pretty much, and while you're learning the markup you might as well learn CSS too. I don't think that JavaScript is really all that useful, personally.

Then you should start looking at server-side stuff, like PHP.