First and foremost, it is important to understand that web development is a constantly evolving field, and there are always new technologies and tools being developed. However, the basics of web development will always remain the same, and it is important to have a solid foundation before moving on to more advanced topics.
The first thing that beginner front-end developers should learn is HTML.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is the foundation of all websites and is used to structure and organize content on a webpage. Without a proper understanding of HTML, it will be difficult to create a functional website.
This is what I would personally recommend, especially to those who have zero technical background. Diving right into the functionality can be a little hard, and you might not see quick results. What is cool about HTML is that you can very quickly visually see what you are doing, which brings the instant pleasure of achievement.
Once you have a solid understanding of HTML, the next step is to learn CSS. By solid, I don't mean you need to be a professional. But you should be able to create a several-block website with ease and no tutorials or AI!
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used to control the layout and design of a website. It allows developers to separate the presentation of a website from the content, making it easier to maintain and update the design of a website. This will be the next step to make your website look beautiful.
You might also feel confused about how to style, as you have no experience. What worked for me, I simply took any website and tried to use similar colors and styles. You don't need to be amazing at the design. For learning purposes, you can even copy the design. Eventually, the more you practice, the better your skills get. If not, maybe it's not meant for you, and there is nothing wrong with it. You are a developer, not a designer.
Finally, after having a good foundation in HTML and CSS, it's time to learn JavaScript. Please note that I'm not here to promote JavaScript or convince you to learn it. It's meant for those who already decided to choose this language.
JavaScript aka JS is a programming language that allows developers to create interactive and dynamic web pages. It's a powerful tool that can be used to create things like image sliders, form validation, and interactive maps. For beginners with no technical background, JavaScript can be a little challenging, but with practice and persistence, it will get better (or maybe worse, the more you learn advanced features 😉).
In addition to learning JavaScript, I recommend that beginners also choose a JavaScript framework such as ReactJS, VueJS, or AngularJS to help them build web applications more efficiently. These frameworks provide a set of pre-built components and functions that can be easily integrated into a website, making it easier to create complex functionality.
Before learning any frameworks, you don't have to be a master in HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Do not get stuck in one thing way too long, and try to move on to the next one when you feel more confident and do not have to Google every single thing all the time. You will always be able to get back to HTML or CSS, and sometimes you will have to.
However, do not move to frameworks way too early, and make sure you are confident in JavaScript. However, you still don't have to be a master of JavaScript to move to the framework. I personally feel like I moved to React a bit earlier and had to eventually go back to the advanced fundamentals.
The downside of frameworks is that there are a lot of things already made for you, so you don't have to write the entire logic from scratch. This enables you to create larger projects, but as a beginner, you don't always need this. But I think, once you reach this point, you will figure it out what works for you the best.
In conclusion, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are the foundation of web development, and it's important for beginner front-end developers to have a solid understanding of these technologies before moving on to more advanced topics. With persistence and practice, you will be able to master these technologies and create beautiful and functional web pages.
Are you a beginner, and which path are you on? Are you still learning, but have moved to frameworks? What would you share with total beginners?
Top comments (2)
Really nice read, @catherineisonline! :) PS: the cat gifs are life goals!😆🙌
Haha, thank you!