I'm new, and I've got ideas

[blade52x]

So basically, I'm new here. I have basic knowledge of HTML. I when I say basic, I mean basic. Right now, the best I could do it build a website off tables. That's now what I want to do however. I've got ideas for a website, and I want to make one, a good one. Some things such as where there is a complete login system to enable various activties on the site, a rating system to go along with various activities, along with other advanced things that I have no idea to do yet.

So, my main question is: Where do I begin? (like languages, etc).

Thanks for an input in advance!

[coppocks]

Those are pretty lofty goals for a beginner. And you can get a dozen different personal preference answers to your question.

I would take a look at PHP as a scripting language. And then MySQL as a database. The 2 work seamlessly together.

www.php.net

Download the manual, and start with that. It's not a great tutorial, but if you take time to start at the beginning, you can get a grasp. Additionally, the online manual has user input with examples.

Your coding environment would best be served if you had a webserver, such as Apache, installed on your PC, along with PHP and MySQL. If you search, there are packages out there that will install and set them all up at one time on your PC. That way you can test your code in a simulated web environment on your computer. PHP, MySQL and Apache are all free.

You'll need either a good text editor, I use UltraEdit32, and/or something along the lines of Dreamweaver, a gloryfied HTML editor. These are not free.

Other options are installing the DevToolBar for IE7, and some extensions for FireFox such as the DOM inspector, Web Developer Toolbar, and Firebug (for debugging).

The only other thing you'll need to install is patience. You won't learn this overnight. ;)

[ellanab]

First master building your pages and begin to understand the html behind the code. From there begin adding javascript, then venture into dynamic pages.

READ, READ, READ

When I started I was broke so I went to the library and checked out books and began to do the activities in the books. All of the books that were helpful I later bought for a reference. Find a book thats easy for you to understand and has a work CD so that you can play with ready made examples of what you want.

[blade52x]

Thanks for the replies! Going to try and get that all setup now, and begin.

Edit: Ok, managed to get all of it setup (was a bit annoying), but it's done. Now it's time to begin learning :)