If you want to start a career in web development, you might wonder what programming languages you need to learn. Web development involves creating websites and web applications that run on the internet. To do this, you need to master three types of languages: front-end, back-end, and database.
Front-end languages are the ones that control how a website looks and interacts with the user. They run on the browser and determine the layout, design, and functionality of the web pages. The most essential front-end languages are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language and it defines the structure and content of a web page. CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets and it adds style and formatting to HTML elements. JavaScript is a scripting language that adds interactivity and dynamic features to web pages. You can also use frameworks and libraries that are built on JavaScript, such as React, Angular, or jQuery, to simplify and enhance your front-end development.
I believe all front-end developers who start their carrier should learn pure Javascript first along with HTML and CSS. Various JS frameworks are awesome without any doubt, but in my opinion each developer need to have solid knowledge in basics before moving to advanced frameworks. I was studying similar way. For me it's a lot easier to use certain framework or library if I understand what going on "under the hood".
For starting out, anyone should start with HTML and CSS basics and then moving on to building very basuc sites by using these. After they become a bit comfortable with these, they should start doing Javascript in depth. And this is the most crucial step when it comes to learning web development. Learn it in as depth as possible, cover all cocepts and all parts of it. After getting comfortable with Javascript and it's concept, they should move forward and learn Javascript library ReactJs and backend runtime enviroment Nodejs. Once they are done with basics of these, they should go ahead and build end to end projects implementing various concepts of all the stacks they have learnt above.
One mistake that all beginners do is jumping to libraries and frameworks course without learning the core concepts of pure javascript and all those concepts are not taught or explained well in those frameworks or libraries courses. Javascript is not something you can learn in a week or so. Many advanced concepts like higher order function, lexical scoping, closure, short circuiting and more become basic for those frameworks and libraries. If you master all those concepts then learning any frameworks or libraries will be now much easier. The best javascript course I found is of Jonas Schmedtmann at Udemy. Covered all topics from beginners to advanced level. Course name : complete Modern Javascript course 2024.
Start with html, css, javascript, es6 and then move to learn frameworks like react, angular. Having solid foundation of javascript will help you to understand and dive deep into js framework like React, Vue, Angular, Ember etc
I disagree that you need to learn all those things first, in my opinion is probably a waste of time trying to master all that first. I’d say you get a high-level idea of what the web ecosystem is, then get started with what you need. For example If your goal is to work mostly with react apps because you need it for a project or job. Then learn that, learn the things that system requires. Pretty sure you’d use a lot JS anyways so maybe use your time wisely ????♂?. In recent times I rarely have used Proxies, Symbols, or any other fancy stuff. Do I need to learn it ? No, unless the project requires me to (but if you have a strong passion then go ahead ??)
Back-end languages are the ones that handle the logic and data processing behind the scenes. They run on the server and communicate with the front-end and the database. They are responsible for creating, updating, deleting, and retrieving data, as well as performing calculations, validations, and security checks. The most popular back-end languages are PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, and Node.js. PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor and it is widely used for creating dynamic web pages and web applications. Python is a general-purpose language that has a simple and elegant syntax and a rich set of libraries and frameworks, such as Django, Flask, or Pyramid. Ruby is another general-purpose language that is known for its expressiveness and productivity, and it is often used with the Rails framework. Java is a powerful and versatile language that runs on multiple platforms and supports object-oriented, functional, and concurrent programming paradigms. Node.js is a runtime environment that allows you to use JavaScript on the server side, and it is often used with the Express framework.
Well, my advice will be to start from whatever language you enjoy with a good documentation or any other learning resources. After you will learn how to use some language you will be able to switch to another one. I think the most important thing is to learn algorithms, design patterns and best practices for programming language. I wanted to develop websites, but people in the internet told me that PHP is very bad, so I started my learning from Java. After I learnt basics in Java I started to realize that this was not exactly what I like. So I tried PHP. And look at me now, working with PHP for almost 7 years now :) So yeah, there's no good or bad programming language to start with. Just use what you enjoy the most :)
As someone who is new in backend development, it's often useful to start with a language that has a gentle learning curve, good documentation, and a supportive community. Also, I would take into consideration the syntax of the language. For me the first programming language was C, after learning it, it was easy to move C++ and C#. Also C# provides a solid basis for enterprise-level application development and is an excellent option if you want to work within Microsoft technology stack.
I would definitely suggest starting with Java as it will build your core concepts especially you Java would allow you to implement design patterns. After that you can either choose from NodeJs and Python depending on your preference. for example, if you want to move in the direction of data science or machine learning you should pick python and if you're more into web application development, then do for NodeJs.
Mastering the basics and understanding various technologies is crucial for any aspiring back-end developer. Python, with its simplicity and versatility, offers an excellent starting point, while Node.js allows the use of JavaScript on the server side. Proficiency in these languages lays the groundwork for handling data, managing server logic, and interfacing with databases. These fundamental skills not only provide a robust foundation for back-end development but also pave the way for delving into advanced frameworks and technologies. In essence, mastering these languages is the key to unlocking the potential of back-end development, empowering beginners to architect powerful and scalable server-side applications.
Lo más importante en este caso es informarse bien sobre los pros y contras de cada lenguaje/framework, ya que la naturaleza del proyecto condicionará en gran parte la elección de uno u otro. Como recomendaciones, Python, PHP y Node.js son buenas elecciones para iniciarse en el mundo del backend, siendo Node.js la opción más versátil si se pretende compatibilizar el aprendizaje de backend con el de frontend.
Database languages are the ones that store and manipulate data in a structured and organized way. They allow you to create, query, update, and delete data in a database, which is a collection of tables that store related information. The most common database languages are SQL and NoSQL. SQL stands for Structured Query Language and it is used to interact with relational databases, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, or Oracle. SQL uses predefined schemas and tables to store data in rows and columns, and it uses commands and queries to manipulate data. NoSQL stands for Not only SQL and it is used to interact with non-relational databases, such as MongoDB, CouchDB, or Cassandra. NoSQL uses flexible and dynamic schemas and collections to store data in various formats, such as documents, key-value pairs, or graphs, and it uses methods and functions to manipulate data.
I can't say that SQL is better than NoSQL or vice versa. It's a different technologies for solving different problems. I had an opportunity to work with both SQL and NoSQL databases. At the beginning of my carrier I was learning MySQL, because I worked with LAMP stack. Later I get to know what NoSQL is. From my experience I can say that SQL-like languages is more common. So If I was a begginer I'd start to learn MySQL as it is easier than others in my opinion. Also MySQL has a ton of resources to learn.
Learning SQL is invaluable due to its universal application in interacting with relational databases. Mastering SQL enables efficient data retrieval, manipulation, and analysis, providing essential skills for various roles in data management, analytics, and software development. Its widespread use across industries makes SQL proficiency a highly sought-after skill, offering abundant job opportunities and empowering individuals to make data-driven decisions effectively.
Learn the SQL and NoSQL concepts. Learn what "normalization" means. Learn about the different normal forms. Learn what the reasons are for adding a NoSQL database. When it comes to learning the actual language, learn SQL. With nosql technologies, the query language can differ dramatically. So, it's best to just choose one (mongodb, dynamodb, etc.) and learn the basics at the very least. You'll want to focus on learning the database concepts and SQL. One important goal would be to get to a point where you can understand SQL queries written by others. The next should then be to have the ability to write them yourself. As a web developer, you typically don't need to master the database concepts. The basics to intermediate level will do.
Commencez avec SQL. C'est un langage plus ultisez dans plusieurs server de base de données comme PostgreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL, ..., ?a vous aide à savoir une concept de la base de données relationnelle.
For me personally diving into SQL was like unlocking a secret language to manage and manipulate data. Learning NoSQL, like MongoDB, adds a twist with flexible data structures. Learning the different use cases based on the requirements is a skill in itself. Take your time learning that and master the right tech stack for you.
More than learning a programming language, the most important thing for a beginner is mastering the fundamental concepts of web development. Concepts such as client-server communication, the complete life cycle of a web request, some architectural design patterns such as MVC, etc... become a common denominator for many programming languages. Therefore, once these concepts are mastered, the transition from one language to another becomes smooth, because at the end of the day programming language is nothing more than a tool.
Personally, I believe for web application development it is a necessity for learning at least one UI framework/library(like angular, vue, react) which helps improve the pace of UI development. Additionally, they should be aware of at least one backend programming language like Java, Python, dotNet etc. Considering the above, it is key to understand even before starting to learn them, we should be strong with the basics of development. Understanding html, css; how browser reads them; how we can do backend API calls to fetch data/content. And , database will always add additional importance, as almost all the websites require data to be fetched from a storage.
Web app development is ever-changing. I recall writing ActionScript for a Flash application in 2008 when Silverlight was competing for attention. Eventually, both technologies faded, and now we rely on React or Angular, Python or Java. The lesson learned is to stay updated, keep learning, and consistently refresh your library knowledge.
The utilization of WebAssembly (WASM) for developing intricate web applications is becoming increasingly popular. As the resources to compile other programming languages into WASM become available, it is boosting the capabilities of web applications. This is allowing applications, which were previously only available on desktops, to be utilized on the web while still maintaining their high performance and full functionality.
Your first steps into the world of programming are the hardest, they require you to learn and apply abstract concepts, whilst learning the syntax and concepts specific to the language you chose as your first language. I recommend starting by learning Python as a programming language. Python is a great first language due to its low barrier of entry, the amount of syntax necessary to start programming is minimal, and thus a new programmer can focus more on abstract concepts rather than syntax.