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JavaScript

Which Course can u recommend?

Hi everyone!

I would like to learn more about coding but im not sure which course makes more sense to me. My Goal is a good knowledge about coding in general. Im considering if front end development would be the next/first logical step for me. I also want to learn Javascript in the future because of its high demand on the market.

Should i take the front end development course or the full stack Java Course? Which one would you take? Both courses have nearly the same amount of hours to work for.

Can you please advise me in which order i should start?

Thank you!

3 Answers

Jennifer Nordell
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STAFF
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Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher

Hi there! While only a subtle difference there is a difference between "coding" and "programming". HTML and CSS are coding, but technically speaking, they aren't programming languages. HTML literally stands for hypertext markup language and that's exactly what it is... a markup language.

In front-end development there are three languages that are used: HTML, CSS and JavaScript. HTML is responsible for the semantic structure of your document. CSS is responsible for the styling of the document. JavaScript is responsible for many interactions and changing of the document dynamically.

JavaScript is a bit of a unique language in that it is both front-end and back-end. Besides just interacting with your document and doing some cool visual effects, it can also run server-side and access databases, perform user authentication and authorization, and respond to HTTP requests.

I would recommend taking the front-end first. The reason that I say this is that a good portion of your JavaScript will be of the front-end variety where you use it to alter the HTML and CSS. It's infinitely easier to effectively alter the HTML and CSS when you understand the HTML and CSS you're manipulating.

This is just my humble opinion, but I hope it helps! :sparkles:

I'm guessing you mean full stack JavaScript course, not Java.

It really depends on what you want to do. Are you more interested in making things look pretty, then front-end might be for you. Are you more interested in making something that does something, ie. apps or not just websites? then learning something like Python, Ruby might be for you. Are you just looking for a Jr. Dev job to kinda get started in your coding career? WordPress is a solid avenue. Regardless of your path here are somethings that everyone needs to know:

Git: You have to know version control, it can be from using the command line, or an app, like tower, but you have to know it. This is a must.

HTML/CSS Basics: you don't need to a wiz here for backend programming, frontend you will need to know this beyond the basics. If you are programming an app, you need to know the structure of where things are going to be placed. ie. know what a div is and the difference between a class and id in HTML. Also it would be solid to know how to do a three column layout with a header and footer.

Command line: I would suggest using iterm its a solid tool for this. being able to cd into a project, git cloning, running npm/yarn scripts is something everyone does, and the more you know the faster you will be, and will put you on the faster track to employment. It makes you look more professional.

Hosting Basics: don't need to be a wiz, but you will need to know the basics of interacting with hosting a companies Cpanel. It's good to know what a redirect means, creating a sub domain. What are SSL Certs(the green lock next to the url in chrome).

Creating a local dev environment: No matter what you are doing you need to be able to create a local dev environment to code in. You can use vagrant, or npm or whatever, but you need to be able to create a space to properly code. Use MAMP or whatever. the ones I suggested are PHP based, except npm.

Being able to break an idea down to its simplest form: If someone says make me this, sometimes this at first glance can be very daunting thing to do, but being able to look at a problem and reduce it to its most simplest form is the most important thing you need to be able to do. Properly problem solve, because sometimes we can't find the answer we need by googling, but we still need to create it.

This is not a complete list, but it's a start in knowing somethings that are not necessarily on a track here, but whatever direction you go in, you will need to know at some point. If you have any questions remember Treehouse is a great place to learn and ask questions.

Wow, thank you both very much for your detailed answers and explanations. You understand me right. I would like to land a job as a Jr. Developer in the future and im not not sure what would be the best way to start with. To be honest, im still unsure what the best way for me is. I just want a solid base of knowledge to have a good prospect on the job market.

It don't have to be front end development, i just thought this is the "first step" to start when it becomes to working as a developer. Not easy :)

I would start with Front End dev course and WordPress courses here on Treehouse. The WordPress course is a little outdated, so far as the UI of the dashboard of WordPress, but the Theme dev course is still current. Learn those two things, create 2-5 sites, and or build something that you see as needing in the community, and you'll hopefully, land a job. Good Luck!!