Starting from scratch - learning HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc. from square one

[weegillis]

Recently I decided to try the courses at Codecademy just to get a feel for what it is like to be learning the fundamentals from the ground up, again. I've found the courses to be very well divided up into basic concepts that a person can take in at their own pace. There is no failing these courses. Progress is kept with 'tracks' that indicate what sections and courses have been completed.

Not being a professional, even after years of tinkering with HTML, style sheets, JavaScript and PHP there is still much to learn, though the early going is rather moot, as the concepts are very basic and steps need to be completed to move forward.

I would recommend this site to anyone who would like to start learning from the very basics, or who would like to just refresh their knowledge and refine their skill base.

[kgun]

1. Why do you think it is so great resource to learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP?
2. Do you think it is better than the Norwegian site http://www.w3schools.com/ ?
3. In my opinion, Opera is still the most secure and advanced browser, so I would have used som time here: http://de.opera.com/company/education/curriculum/

Opera and the mobile world

Opera first developed a mobile browser in 1998. Since then, we’ve been at the forefront of enabling a full Web experience on mobile phones. In 2005, we released Opera Mini, the first browser that could work on any phone with Java. Regardless of the hardware on the phone, Opera Mini is able to bring the full Web to many millions of people, some who otherwise would not be able to access it.

Source: http://de.opera.com/smw/

More and more people surf and shop on mobile platforms. Use your time on these books:

1. http://www.sitepoint.com/books/mobile1/
2. http://www.packtpub.com/drupal-7-wit...ers-guide/book (You can make nearly any site you wan't with drupal).

In addition, you should not misuse your spare time learning "wrong / bad" HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP. I don't know how up to date the site you mention is, but a good starting point is here:

Look at the first exercise here: http://www.w3schools.com/html5/default.asp

Would that have been so easily attainable in HTML4 and below?

Generally I would not reccommend a newcomer to start with a php 4 book. Perhaps neither a php 5 book.

I would have reccomended these:

1. http://www.apress.com/9781430224730/ Fairly up to date.
2. http://www.larryullman.com/books/php...e-3rd-edition/
3. http://www.amazon.com/Professional-P.../dp/0470395095

Time is money and the price you pay for the above mentioned books may be low compared on using your time wrongly.

Advice: Mobilize your site from the start.

[weegillis]

@kgun: I'm just trying to put myself in the place of a beginner, and see things from their perspective (as best I can, under the circumstances). There isn't really a way to compare it to W3Schools. W3 is more 'rote' than 'hands-on', but there is no discounting the resource--I've turned to it countless times.

I haven't come across any PHP on the site, yet, but then I haven't been looking. Just wading through the first couple of sections on JS, HTML and CSS. It has been, on the whole, an interesting experience, and not without challenges for a beginner, and the insistence that mistakes be corrected before continuing is a good thing, though it might frustrate some people. The key is to follow instructions exactly, and not get ahead of one's self. A new thing for me, that's sure. I'm always trying something different when something won't work.

At some point I expect the courses will touch on more abstract issues such as browser compatibility, mobile web, etc, but not at the basic level. The courses are written to be very focused and don't deviate much which would only complicate matters for the learner. Which is why I am not a teacher. I tend to complicate things very soon after getting out of the starting gate. This, for me, is the real lesson--how to keep it simple and not make it harder for the learner.

[PhilipDunn]

I am going to go through that - thanks,

[collusion]

The best way to learn it is to learn it as a child . I have to tell you, when I learned design and html/css at 13, it was so easy. Now I try to learn some things a bit more complicated and it's just overwhelming. It might be just me talking without my meds though... LOL

[weegillis]

I am going to go through that - thanks,

I'm on two tracks, one through CSS/HTML and the other through JavaScript fundamentals, and approaching the half way mark in each. It's taken a few hours. A course can run about 30 minutes or less. I tend to read every word on the page so I'm clear on the instructions and current concepts.

Break a pencil!

[weegillis]

If you're a little beyond the rudiments, there is one course that will pique your interest--Big O. It took me about 4 hours to tackle, and was plenty challenging, believe me. But even without all the challenge the course is essential learning for programmers at the beginning of the learning curve, or essential review for those further along. It concerns itself with efficiency, and how to distinguish efficient from non-efficient code.

You might have to register to access this: Big O

It will be well worth your time and effort.

BTW, for anyone who may be skeptical about these courses, they are genuine, and a real must for anybody who would like to try their hand at the real fun side of web development. Control the program, control the result. That's what I always say, and these courses will equip a newbie with a lot of powerful understanding and a few really useful tools to take away for future use.

Every course is achievable, and the challenge is there. It is still kept at the low end of the curve so we can make some progress, but does ascend every step of the way, for the most part. If things get easy, one is grateful for the respite.

My progress is now into the non-track courses and I've even beta tested a few courses, as I've completed all the available tracks now. If achievement is your game, this is a good one to pull out all the stops.

[james2012smith]

Hi Weegillis,

I also joined Codecademy to learn and practice basic programming skills - It helps me to understand and clear doubt about basic web programming. While practicing we feel lots of fun here.

[WAHM]

You might find LVSOnline a good venue as well. Courses are very reasonably priced, and there is a live instructor who critiques and who answers questions. They run these as a six week course, with weekly lessons and submission/critique via a private classroom forum. Everyone I've referred here has commented on the great value they felt they got here, mostly because it's interactive and there's much discussion between all students and the teacher. They teach the basics, you won't get advanced info here, but they do it very well.

LVS Online

You can also find some php classes online here, from the folks who created the language:

php.net