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General Discussion

Questions asked by a beginner

I have asked a lot of questions on the forum and have picked and dropped tracks. I have come to the realization that I'm a total beginner and shouldn't be cocky thinking I can learn something advanced without knowing the small and simple things.

Here is what I know. A basic understanding about Javascript and HTML.

Here are my questions...after this I'll stop bothering the forum with thousands of questions. (The reason I ask so many questions is because I wasn't sure how good treehouse was)

What track is the best for a beginner who wants to learn web development? I was thinking the web design track, but I don't want to pay for Photoshop and Illustrator. What was your course of action?

Thanks for the patients of all who have answered my questions. Thanks ahead for anyone who answers this. Have a good day!

Start with HTML, complete and practice for a week Next CSS and practice for two weeks Next HTML Forms and practice for 3 days Finally do this

After all this, you can start tracks. Before that, please do not touch anything. Practice is a key. Web developer is on rise.

All the best.

5 Answers

Ricky Catron
Ricky Catron
13,023 Points

The first question you need to think about is what you want to build. A web designer builds websites. A web developer builds web apps. A web app is interactive a website is not.

If you want to design website then follow the webdesigner track and find a tool to replace photoshop if you don't want to pay for it. If you want to devlop a web app then you will need to pick a language for your track. Either Ruby or PHP both have advantages and disadvantages.

PHP is easy to pick up and build something quick and easy. It is also used for alot of websites. Ruby is easy to write and is very powerful. It too is used on alot of websites.

It all come down to why you want to create and what you want to create. Goodluck

What do you mean by practice? I am currently on HTML basics course like you said, it seems very very basic. What should I be practicing?

Ricky Catron
Ricky Catron
13,023 Points

I think he means create try things on your own. Write an html file on your computer and test it. Mess up and try again. Most concepts may seem basic but then be tricky to impliment. Its not fun trying to show someone what you have learned and being unable to actually do it. Watching a video and answering questions will help a ton but never as much as actually doing it.

Thanks.

I want to build web apps and websites. Would the front-end track give me a good start?

Ricky Catron
Ricky Catron
13,023 Points

The front-end track would give you a great start! It would teach you how to make websites and write HTML CSS and JS. To make web apps you would need to go further with either Ruby or PHP but that can wait. I started with HTML and front-end development too. Then I learned C++, PHP, Python. The front-end track will teach you a ton and would be a great starting place. The most important part is keep learning finish the track and practice and keep going.

I want to build web apps and websites. Would the front-end track give me a good start?

Ben Jakuben
Ben Jakuben
Treehouse Teacher

That is a great place to start! Check out this helper video from Ryan Carson for more insight into the different tracks and career paths, too: Who Does What in the Tech Industry

Thanks Ben. Well, appreciated!

What I mean by practice is create things even it is ugly, not up to the standard. You will realize how much you can do with basics. I am actually completed HTML basic course. It was awesome.

I created more than 50 simple HTML based sites. It is a lot of fun.

Please believe me. Next year this time you will be a front-end developer. If you master HTML, CSS and JavaScript Basics.

All the best!