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 trial

General Discussion

Chen Wang
Chen Wang
7,371 Points
Posted by Chen Wang
Chen Wang
7,371 Points

Which track should I choose? Any suggestions please.

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I have watched all introductions about each track, and I'm still confused which one is suitable for me. Can anyone give me some suggestions?

I'm a new grad student majored in computer science, I'm familiar with Java. I have basic knowledge about HTML, CSS and JS. But I have only write some very very simple web pages. In our university, all courses seem to research oriented, and there is no courses about web development practically.

All in all, I have some basic programming experience, I want to know which track is the most efficient way to learn how to build a fancy and mature website which everyone can use.

Ali Amirazizi
Ali Amirazizi
16,087 Points
Ali Amirazizi
Ali Amirazizi
16,087 Points

Interesting that you didn't get a chance to code much in a CS program. I'm just starting my CS program alongside using Treehouse. I made sure my CS program will focus on web programming and not too much on theory and research. If you want to get fluid in coding, just pick a track that interests you and grind through the videos and challenges. The only decision I would make early on though is, decide if you want to do mobile app programming(eg. Java, C, etc), or web development.

If you do choose web development then start with the front-end material and work your way to back end with server side languages like Ruby. I'm being biased but I think Web Dev is way more fun to learn and you can always apply what you learn to developing apps in Java and C. You are basically getting an all around education by choosing to go the web dev route. However, if you choose software programming and later decide you want learn web dev, you will have to learn a lot more. Have fun!

2 Answers

Rebecca Bompiani
Rebecca Bompiani
16,948 Points
Rebecca Bompiani
Rebecca Bompiani
16,948 Points

hi Chen-

I would recommend Front end Development. It'll integrate standard web development with interactive javascript functionality.

Chen Wang
Chen Wang
7,371 Points
Chen Wang
Chen Wang
7,371 Points

Thanks for your reply!

That is exactly I'm learning now.

Jordan Luse
Jordan Luse
1,848 Points
Jordan Luse
Jordan Luse
1,848 Points

I agree with the other comment front end is great in my opinion, also check out Rails if you want to understand a pretty simple framework. I'm currently learning it now and its pretty fun and keeps me interested.

Chen Wang
Chen Wang
7,371 Points
Chen Wang
Chen Wang
7,371 Points

One of my question is that I know many people can build practical website within a few days. For example, if one person needs to build a website for his restaurant, normally programmer will use some framework? It seems like impossible to build a really useful website in a few days, because there are lots of work to do. Therefore, they all use frameworks ?

I have heard many frameworks, like Django, ruby on rails, Yii. Some other things like wordpress. But I have no idea how they work.

The last question is : Is every track going to teach you build a real website in the end?

I mean a "real" one. Because I have learned many online courses about HTML CSS. I can understand them, but I still do not know how to build a website.....