Take this short quiz to figure out which languages you should learn when you get started in web development.
The technology stack is how programmers refer to the various layers of software that make up a web application. Web applications are typically divided into two layers: the front end and the back end.
Since browsers can only run HTML, CSS, and Javascript, you don't have a ton of choice here. Learn the languages in that order:
HTML will allow you to define the structure of the page. You'll call out for the browser which text should be headings, which should be paragraphs, and which should be lists. You'll add images and tables of data if you need them. You'll define which words should be linked to other pages and which words should be displayed with additional emphasis.
CSS will define how each of the elements on your page will be displayed. What's the font size of a heading? What color should a link be? Should an image have a border? How wide should the image be? These questions and more will be answered by your CSS.
Javascript adds interactivity to your page. You could do a calculation when a user enters a number in a text field and display the result on the page (like a calculator). You could create a special link that, instead of taking the user to a different page, drops down a menu with some additional links. When a user enters their zip code, you might call out to another server that provides weather information and dynamically display the local weather for your user. Images and text are nice, but Javascript will make your sites come alive.
If you decide later you want to become a full-stack developer, you can start learning Javascript for server-side code, or you can easily pick up another language to learn.
For many years, Javascript was the language only of the browser, but today, servers can run Javascript too. Since you don't have any experience with a server-side language, learning Javascript allows you to double-dip since you will also be able to use it for front-end code.
For many years, Javascript was the language only of the browser, but today, servers can run Javascript too. Learning Javascript allows you to double-dip since you will also be able to understand and write some front-end code.
Since you already have Javascript experience โ even if that's only on the front-end โ that makes it even more of a home-run for you!
If you already have experience with {:5:} and you don't hate it, pick up wherever you are with it and keep going. That's your fastest path to being able to make cool stuff and {:1:}.
To make your best decision possible, it's important to understand the factors this recommendation does not consider.
It's tough to pick what language. It seems like a huge commitment โ almost like a marriage or something. (It's not actually as big a deal as you think.)
What is a really big deal is finding a way to stick with it when it gets hard and frustrating. (It will get hard and frustrating.) I offer a free course that can help.
Just enter your name and email below to get my quick free course that will show you how to set a Big Goal. This is a life goal which web development will help you achieve. It will be your leverage to keep going when your dumb brain tries to get you to quit. I will never sell your email address. If you don't like it, just unsubscribe.
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