Progression of a Web Developer

[haydenbech]

All web developers start somewhere. The normal place to start would be HTML. Then they have many other paths to choose. This thread is to debate which paths should be taken first, and which are more important.

Ther next step would be one of three:

• Style (CSS)
• Server-side scripting (PHP)
• Client-side scripting (JavaScript)

Then you can decide which language, and so on.
After learning HTML, (I was looking over NaRzY's shoulder and wondered what he was doing, so I googled it and found htmlgoodies.com), I ventured into JavaScript (after learning the hard way that JavaScript is not Java), and now I am getting to grips with PHP. I have tried a few times to learn CSS but have seen no real explanation on how to use it.
I have to go now, but I would like to come back to a discussion on where people should go next. (No time to explain further)

[NaRzY]

I went

• HTML/CSS/PHP
• MySQL/CGI/Perl
• Javascript...To crappy effect
• Then I rounded off with a bit of everything like starting to learn C++ and Ruby.

[boochy]

I learned (in order),
HTML
(x)HTML
CSS
C++
PHP + MySQL
Ruby + RoR (Still learning...)

This has been a period of about 7 or 8 years.

[cpf]

• HTML
• Javascript
• Javascript
• Javascript (:push: I know)
• PHP
• CSS

[Mike Tomasello]

I'd avoid Javascript as there is too much of a temptation to use it wrong (and because it seems to be the most inconsistent language across platforms).

HTML and CSS should be learned hand in hand, otherwise - once again - there is just too much of a temptation to use HTML for styling.

PHP isn't very hard to start; I think it could be put in any 'phase' of learning. I think my first PHP site was just <?php include('header.php');?> text text text <?php include('footer.php'); ?>, so that I wouldn't need to repeat the design on every page.

Mike

[Matty]

I went

1. HTML
2. XHTML
3. CSS
4. PHP
5. MySQL

[Mike Tomasello]

I've noticed some of you seem to say HTML then XHTML. What is it about XHTML that you didn't know about HTML that qualifies as 'progression'? You don't seem to be using XML on your homepages, so.. ?

Mike

[<? Ashley ?>]

1. (X)HTML
2. PHP (+ basic MySQL)
3. CSS

And thats where I am now! :D

Next for me is more PHP, better CSS, and C++.... (oh, and some javascript)

[mikeroq]

Way back in 1997: HTML
Way bask in 2002: CSS
Way back in 2004: PHP
Way back in 2004: C++
Way back in 2005: Javascript
Way back in 2006: AJAX

[haydenbech]

Okay, so the trend seems to be that people learn (X)HTML, then they go on to either PHP or CSS.

The next question is, which path would be better and why?
I think it important to have "paths" on a career journey, and the purpose of this thread, now that we know which paths others have taken, is where a beginner, or even professional, web developer has to go to become great.

YoungCoders is about young people, most of whom are just starting out in web development etc. This thread is to let beginners know what to learn to become great and put them on the right path. I will most likely start similar threads for Graphics Design etc. I will also start a thread for experience trading soon.

Ah, that's important to note. In order to get a job as a web developer, one needs "experience". Another important set of distinctions that should be made are:
*How experienced do you need to be?
*How does one get experience if it required to get a job (which is where experience comes from :) :p)?

You don't need to answer all questions, just as many as you think you can answer in a way that will help others.

EDIT: Always being the foremost expert (foremost ranter:p) regarding standards and correct HTML-CSS, Mike Tomasello has made a great point - learn HTML and CSS together. This is one important thing that should be noted for people looking for beginning web design. This would be our first step along the path. Now, Mike, I pose a special question to you - how do you recommend one learns HTML and CSS together? I think most tutorials would teach them separately, but whether a learner has access to "togther-tutorials" or not, what tips do you suggest for using them together in you learning? This may be important for newer web developers at YC who may come across this thread (and I am listening, too, as I mistakenly learned HTML separately and now cannot get to grips with separate CSS - I don't want others to make the same mistake).