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Fabian Claudio
4,017 PointsWhere to start on web development?
Hey guys! First of all I'm here for life, love teamtreehouse! I didn't know where to start so since I have some programming experience I started with android and it was pretty cool. I'm gonna finish it but I have to learn more Java and I have a java class in college coming up in august(I'm a Information systems major and my bachelors is heavy on programming) because I don't understand much of what I'm doing. But I was checking out the tracks and want to learn web development! Not design so much( photoshop and all) but more code. I don't just want to build a website but learn everything. I want to start the rails track since it seems the most complete. Or should I start with the front end track? Thanks guys sorry for the long question
Ted Sumner
Courses Plus Student 17,967 PointsI would start on the front end because you can build a nice static site without any back end knowledge. Also, back end (especially PHP) adds html to the site dynamically. If you don't have a good basis in the front end, PHP will be much harder.
I am most interested in back end programming now that I have taken a variety of courses. But I find the front end information very useful.
miguelcastro2
Courses Plus Student 6,573 PointsTed,
In the post he mentions that he wants to learn more code and spoke about Rails. HTML is a descriptive language, but certainly not programming. I think if he wants to learn to code then he needs to focus on a programming language. I also think he would benefit from front-end work as well, but perhaps more down the road.
Ted Sumner
Courses Plus Student 17,967 PointsI agree with your description of HTML as not being really programming. However, I think it is hard to program well for front end support when you don't have a decent understanding of the front end.
That said, the Rails course starts with a basis in the front end, so that would probably work well.
3 Answers
Ted Sumner
Courses Plus Student 17,967 PointsGiven what you said about not wanting to learn Photoshop at this point, do the Front End Track. I have done both (except for the Illustrator course). Both are excellent and have significant overlap.
Ted Sumner
Courses Plus Student 17,967 PointsI just looked at the Rails course. I may do that soon as it looks interesting. All of the non-Ruby specific courses are covered in other tracks.
Fabian Claudio
4,017 PointsThanks everyone! I may do the front end track because I will have a lot of back end classes now and database classes. Then will do the rails track. I saw the front end and ruby tracks have database basics and programming with everything I need as Miguel says. Thanks again.
miguelcastro2
Courses Plus Student 6,573 Pointsmiguelcastro2
Courses Plus Student 6,573 PointsIt's a tricky situation you are in because a web development track encompasses so many things. You will have to learn how to setup your development system, then learn whatever back-end language you choose to go with, whether it be a PHP, Ruby, or Python. You will also need to pick up the back-end side of things and learn databases like MySQL and overall database composition. Then it is on to the front-end and you will definitely need to have a good grasp on HTML and CSS. Even if you don't do design, as a web developer you will definitely need to know how to implement a design. Lastly, you will need to learn Javascript to do some of the modern day front-end work all web apps are expected to have these days.
It's a lot of stuff and all of which are doable, but require a lot of time and dedication. If you have a Java class coming up in the Fall then stick to that. Be prepared for that class and be the person everyone wants to team up with for help. Knowing Java will certainly help build the programming chops you need for any language. Then I would recommend jumping on learning a PHP or Ruby. After that, move onto more back-end topics like databases. I know as an ISM major you will have a few database electives you need to be prepared for.
Just my $.02