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JavaScript JavaScript Loops, Arrays and Objects Tracking Data Using Objects The Build an Object Challenge, Part 2

Min Hwangbo
Min Hwangbo
1,289 Points
Posted by Min Hwangbo
Min Hwangbo
1,289 Points

Should I learn HTML?

I signed up for treehouse to learn enough about Javascript to get into a good coding bootcamp that focuses on Javascript. I've been following along pretty well so far, but the inclusion of HTML for displaying outputs is really throwing off my rhythm.

I'm on a time crunch (I have about 2 weeks left). Should I bother taking the time to learn HTML/CSS or both before continuing to learn Javascript?

Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points
Simon Coates
Simon Coates
28,694 Points

javascript is typically for manipulating web pages. I'm no expert, but i'm not sure it makes sense without html. CSS might be a little more detached (I'm not sure but the javascript actions that affect CSS might be more about adding or removing classes on HTML elements). I'd assume javascript is ultimately about manipulating the DOM, which is how HTML looks to a javascript perspective.

3 Answers

Karolin Rafalski
Karolin Rafalski
11,368 Points
Karolin Rafalski
Karolin Rafalski
11,368 Points

As someone who went to a bootcamp, I would say yes, learn the basics. My bootcamp spent one morning on html and one on css, and I was glad I had taken the treehouse courses in html and css first. It just made it easier to jump into the projects and not have to try to learn everything all at once. I would follow the make a web site with Nick Petit on here. It will cover the basics and you can get it done in a couple of days. Even if you don't absorb everything, just having seen it will be helpful and then you will have some code to refer to, if you need to jumpstart your memory. But I would just stick to the basics, once you have those, you can pick up the more advanced things that your bootcamp will cover/want you to learn on your own, much easier. Good luck!

Min Hwangbo
Min Hwangbo
1,289 Points
Min Hwangbo
Min Hwangbo
1,289 Points

Thank you sooo much!!!

Jeremy Castanza
Jeremy Castanza
12,081 Points
Jeremy Castanza
Jeremy Castanza
12,081 Points

I would think of Javascript, CSS, and HTML as a car.

HTML would be the frame and the body. CSS would be the paint job and accents. Javascript would be the engine. With the server and server side technology being the road that the car runs on.

You really need all three to get the car going. If you have an engine (Javascript) without a frame (HTML), you can't really do a whole lot. If you have a frame (HTML) and a nice paint job (CSS), it's almost like having a really nice car in a showroom that just sits there and looks pretty.

You can also have an engine (Javascript) on a frame (HTML) without a paint job (CSS). The car will run... but who would buy it or want to use it?

At the end of the day, you really need all three technologies or elements of the car to be effective. It takes time to master each one, but doing so will make you one step closer to being an effective web design/developer.

Carl Whedbee
Carl Whedbee
18,577 Points
Carl Whedbee
Carl Whedbee
18,577 Points

Learn HTML to learn about the different elements and attributes that make up the DOM. Learn CSS selectors to manipulate those elements with JavaScript.