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General Discussion

Andrew Lenti
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Andrew Lenti
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 7,193 Points
Posted by Andrew Lenti
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Andrew Lenti
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 7,193 Points

Best way to become a full stack software develope with a tech degree

Hello to all.

I would like to use Treehouse to become a full stack software developer able to make web-based applications similar to that of an on-line banking application.

I am currently a treehouse member studying PHP, CSS , jQuery, etc. but I am evaluating the possibility to pursue a tech degree to access the additional support offered by the tech degree program to help get me up to speed.

Can anyone reccomend for me the best program to choose to meet my objectives? Is it possible that I may be better off doing this without using the tech degree resources?

Cheers, Andrew

2 Answers

Aurelian Spodarec
Aurelian Spodarec
10,801 Points
Aurelian Spodarec
Aurelian Spodarec
10,801 Points

Yes. If you are new, and not only, focus at one thing.

What do I mean about that? Specialise in one thing.

For example, choose front-end at the start. YOu need HTML and CSS, get comfortable with that. Start using Sass very very early. Start making sites using some power of Sass, variable, maybe few functions? and such. You need to have a solid foundation of HTML and CSS. Get good at Sass meanwhile you are doing the CSS.

Now, if you can make any website, with good code. Do you get me? The code needs to be very good, HTML and CSS need to follow some sort of architecture like SMACSS, BEM, OOCSS something like that. Otherwise you will write code , repeat your self, and have a messy project in general - horrible.

Once you are good with that, you can move to jQuery, so you can do simple stuff like carousel, light box and so on. Then do JavaScript and focus on that.

Meaniwhile, you can do just the basics of PHP, jsut the basics, while doing JS.

Once you can do stuff with JS, and you can make any website that is interactive, and you are not, "SCARED", then move to backend, if that PHP or RoR. Learn that, learn frameworks like Laravel, i suppose an wuala.

Btw, it's not as easy as you think it is, as it requires effor to learn it good, and be actually write a good code with HTML and CSS. Once you get ok with JS you can them move, bare in mind that after you know JS, PHP or RoR will get to your head a lot faster. Specialise in one, say JS, and you will pick up other faster, since you will have somewhat the logic, kinda.

Hope this helps.

Aurelian Spodarec
Aurelian Spodarec
10,801 Points
Aurelian Spodarec
Aurelian Spodarec
10,801 Points

Well, my suggestion is to pick one. JavaScript or PHP. Not both, that will make things heavy for you, or it could. I don't know you.

I would say to focus on one. Once you can do stuff with it, and you understand it, only then you can jump into new stuff.

For example, I'm doing full pure HTML and CSS. We know that these two arenn't that simple, because or architecture and such.. but that's what I'm focusin on right now, i try to get it perfect.

Once I'm good at it, I'm going to dive in JS, and understand the OOP JS or prototyping with it, being able to make anything i want, like carousel and such, for the web.

Then only, once I'm good at it. I will go learn PHP , which shoudl take fw weeks, especially because of the JS expertise.

Then i focus on PHP.

BUT always specialise. Dont' spread your self think saying you are full stack, in my opinion, especially if you are new to this all, junior or a year or two i suppose.

Specialisation is alwasy the best thing you can ever do. I would say front-end is they key really.. but that's my opinion.

It's good to be a full-stack, for understanding, and possibly making your own projects, but specialisation is what i say the most valuable thing.

But yeah, focus on JS i suppose, once you are comfortbale doing carousel and such, i say be comfortable with the language, prototyping and such.. then go do PHP. Or ROR or whatever. Don't EVER change. You start learning JS, don't cahnge. Just don't, you will save a lot of time and will make your life easy.

HOpe it helps

:zap:

Andrew Lenti
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Andrew Lenti
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 7,193 Points
Andrew Lenti
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Andrew Lenti
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 7,193 Points

I am not that new and kind of have a good command of HTML and CSS but certainly could improve. So you think I should focus on front end before I jump into PHP??

Aurelian Spodarec
Aurelian Spodarec
10,801 Points
Aurelian Spodarec
Aurelian Spodarec
10,801 Points

Well, my suggestion is to pick one. JavaScript or PHP. Not both, that will make things heavy for you, or it could. I don't know you.

I would say to focus on one. Once you can do stuff with it, and you understand it, only then you can jump into new stuff.

For example, I'm doing full pure HTML and CSS. We know that these two arenn't that simple, because or architecture and such.. but that's what I'm focusin on right now, i try to get it perfect.

Once I'm good at it, I'm going to dive in JS, and understand the OOP JS or prototyping with it, being able to make anything i want, like carousel and such, for the web.

Then only, once I'm good at it. I will go learn PHP , which shoudl take fw weeks, especially because of the JS expertise.

Then i focus on PHP.

BUT always specialise. Dont' spread your self think saying you are full stack, in my opinion, especially if you are new to this all, junior or a year or two i suppose.

Specialisation is alwasy the best thing you can ever do. I would say front-end is they key really.. but that's my opinion.

It's good to be a full-stack, for understanding, and possibly making your own projects, but specialisation is what i say the most valuable thing.

But yeah, focus on JS i suppose, once you are comfortbale doing carousel and such, i say be comfortable with the language, prototyping and such.. then go do PHP. Or ROR or whatever. Don't EVER change. You start learning JS, don't cahnge. Just don't, you will save a lot of time and will make your life easy.

HOpe it helps

:zap: