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JavaScript jQuery Basics (2014) Creating a Simple Lightbox Perform: Part 4

Vitaliy Hulyk
Vitaliy Hulyk
2,021 Points

Coming from JavaScript course i'm lost and confused now...

So i'm on "Full Stack JavaScript" track. I've started this track with no experience in programming at all not even some basic HTML.

JavaScript basics and JS loops, arrays and objects were pretty understandable and even fun most of the time.

jQuery basics course is nothing like that I feel completely lost and confused here. Pretty much everything after the .show() and .hide() video doesn't make any sense to me anymore.

Maybe I should do some other track first before coming back to jQuery?

Hoping for good advice (really don"t want to give up programming...)

Vitaliy, One of the things that I have noticed is that a new concept will be introduced, and there might not be that much emphasis is Andrews fantastic and calm voice. It's almost like his voice is hypnotizing me into thinking everything is fine. But no, I just glossed over a major piece of information. That being said, I have been through these courses several times. It gets easier each time. It's a lot of information and concepts.

5 Answers

Matt F.
Matt F.
9,518 Points

Hi Vitaliy,

Based on what you said, I would definitely recommend that you take some of the sources in the Front End Development track before you proceed with the Full Stack JavaScript Track.

jQuery is largely about manipulating the DOM (Document Object Model), which is essentially a representation of the HTML in a web page. Without a foundation in HTML (and CSS), it will make little sense to learn about manipulating that HTML (and CSS).

Maxwell DeMers
Maxwell DeMers
6,853 Points

I think you should definitely start the Front End Track. Having completed it myself, I can tell you that it is well structured to ease you into the basics of HTML and CSS, but also cover a lot of the Full Stack JavaScript track content as well(AJAX, jQuery, DOM Manipulation, etc.). So, by taking the Front End Track, you get a good intro to what jQuery is about, and how useful it is in manipulating the DOM.

Also, don't give up programming. I have experienced difficulties myself, and can attest that anything is solvable with some help. Don't ever be hesitant to challenge yourself to build up your own ideas. That is the best practice.

Happy coding!

fngr
fngr
11,179 Points

Can't agree with Tomasz. I got much experience with HTML, CSS and SASS before jumping into the Full Stack JS course. And if you got enough experience with the fundamentals like HTML and CSS, the jQuery course is really easy to understand. But you really really need to know this fundamentals before starting with jQuery. Otherwise, you maybe not sure what you're doing.

I think it's a great course by Andrew Chalkley ! Thank you.

Hey, my advice to you is don't be in a rush it takes time to get the concept of things be repetitive in going through things. Second, just go step by step you should start with HTML/CSS first, after you have a good grasp of them, then move on to JavaScript basics, you don't have to go very deeply in the beginning if you want just understand the basics. afterwards you should be ready for J query . J query library makes JavaScript manipulation a lot easier , it is just sometimes how to understand the concept and the things you have learned before. in the end it's okey to get overwhelmed i believe, that's what every developer feels when they are exposed to things for the first time. btw i have started coding 6 months ago and every day my confidence gets boosted and my skills get better its not because i am genius, it's just because i am focused and don't give up to the sound in the back of my head that says you are not good enough lol have fun coding :)

You don't understand because you don't know. Literally. jQuery is built off a solid knowledge of javascript, Html and css...why? because jQuery IS javascript manipulating html and css in a way that is slightly easier and faster than just using javascript alone.

In other words, you could technically do everything andrews without jQuery and just javascript but in the long run, it's worth your time in investing in jQuery since it'll save you in the future.