Welcome to the Treehouse Community
Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.
Looking to learn something new?
Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.
Start your free trialDavid Torres
1,781 PointsHow do I add an HTML file to begin with? Plus what is textmate? You dont even show how to acquire it or explain!?
How do I add an HTML file to begin with in introduction to programming ? Plus what is textmate? You dont even show how to acquire it or explain!?
6 Answers
Sage Elliott
30,003 PointsHello David. Sounds like you are taking the Rails development track! I am too. You're right the video does not link to Textmate, but it sounds like you already found out where to get it. I would also suggest looking into Sublime Text as another option, but it doesn't really matter too much right now. Some of the older treehouse videos do not include project files, but if you don't mind a little extra typing you can copy the HTML from the "writing your first program" video at about 57 second into it. Name it index.html like in the video and save it in the folder where you will be making your javascript(.js) file.
Kathryn Ann
10,071 PointsI'd recommend following the Front-End Web Development track - it starts with How to Make a Website and then has courses on HTML and CSS before getting into programming.
To answer your original question, though, you create an HTML file by opening a new file in Textmate and saving it with a file name that ends in .html (like "index.html"). For the Javascript exercise, it should be saved in the same folder as your Javascript file (which you create by saving a file that ends in .js).
David Torres
1,781 PointsThank you. Looks like i will be switching tracks then. What track would you go from there, If you were a beginner like me?
Kathryn Ann
10,071 PointsPersonally, I'm planning to do the Rails Development track after I finish Front-End. It all depends on what you're interested in, though - maybe do some research on what the different web programming languages are used for, and see what makes sense based on what you want to be able to develop!
Sage Elliott
30,003 PointsIf you plan on coming back to the Rails track right away I would suggest looking into the Front End Development track. After HTML and CSS it will introduce you to this module again and some basic object oriented programming with Javascript. It also contains several of the modules that are also in the Rails track, such as: Intro to Programming, Javascript Foundations, Console foundations, and GIT. It focuses a little more on Development rather than Design, but you should look around and see which one is more interesting to you.
David Torres
1,781 PointsLooks like both you guys are pretty much saying the same thing. So I will start with the Front End track then head over to Rails development right after. I am pretty set on learning Ruby on Rails but of course I'm not going to stop there. I am going to school for a Software Development degree. I would like to be able to create and design websites, apps, and software programs. I know tmi but just sharing.
Sage Elliott
30,003 PointsOf course! Never stop learning! Also, you don't have to Finnish full tracks, you can always switch back when you want to. treehouse has been adding a lot of new rails courses but haven't updated the track to include them yet. There is a really good one called Ruby Basics that starts out pretty simple and you can program right in the new workspaces. You can find it under Library > Ruby. Have fun learning code!
Praneil Mishra
4,604 PointsI totally agree with Carrie. The assumed knowledge shift from 'how to create a website' to 'beginning program', all part of the preplanned Ruby on Rails track, was dramatic. Additionally, the trailer for the Ruby on Rails track explicitly stated that NO previous knowledge was necessary.
Chris Wise
7,521 PointsIf you don't know how to get a basic text editor you probably shouldn't be starting with Javascript.
David Torres
1,781 PointsWell I complete how to make your own website and this is the following track it led me to automatically. What should I be doing next in your opinion? I did download textmate already. But under basics "writing you own program video" He starts off an html file already created and saved in JavaScript console. I dont know how to do that.
Chris Wise
7,521 PointsIf that is the extent of your coding knowledge, i would personally do the HTML and CSS deep dives before jumping into js unless you feel you have a solid grasp on it.
cp88
5,039 PointsI think that's a very harsh comment, Chris. I am fully aware of what a text editor is and have just completed the "How to create a website" course on here before starting "Introduction to programming". I'm following the Ruby track so just following along as Treehouse have planned out.
However, this did throw me as well. Jim opens a pre-written HTML file in Textmate, neither of which I have at this point. No, I'm not incapable of obtaining Textmate nor writing out the HTML file but in the "How to create a website" section, Nick went through everything step-by-step so you could follow the video in real-time. Anyone watching this will have to pause the video, download the text editor, copy out the HTML file and figure out where this should be saved and run etc. Not an impossible task but annoying after using the brilliant Workspaces in the previous course too.
Kash Johnson
3,146 PointsI've got to completely second Carrie's opinion above...not so much about the harsh comment, as it's the internet and everyone can be harsh without realizing it. But after completing the HTML and CSS courses, coming into this one is a big letdown. This specific video is a pain for those of us who are just starting out.
We need to be walked through these concepts step by step, with no assumptions of our knowledge base. I've spent the past hour+ trying to figure out how to get files i've created in Sublime Text to go from my computer, into Chrome and replicate what was being shown in this video.
I would think the 14 day trial, which is what I'm on at this moment, is the best way to convert those 'interested' into those 'paying'. After the first two courses in the Front End Development Track, I felt as though this was a great site that was well worth the investment. After hitting this video, I'm completely questioning that.
Sage Elliott
30,003 PointsThis is one of their somewhat older tutorials. I'd definitely check out some of the newer courses before making a decision! They usually have everything written. Out very clearly and include linking to Amy external material or tools.