The quest for knowledge

[jamesmerr]

I would consider myself beginner-intermediate in all things computers and I love learning more and more stuff about them. I have put together a server running Debian/Apache to host some web applications etc. and I would like to build my first website. I would like to start with building a simple (yet very sleek looking) webpage where i could showcase some of the pictures i have taken (photography is another hobby of mine). I have tried many times to really LEARN a programming language (Flash/Actionscript, visual basic, html/css, and so many more), but i can never seem to stick with it. I figure this will be my best bet since it involves incorporating a hobby of mine......anyways getting back to the point....what language would be best to learn so that I can start creating my page?? Once I learn the front end stuff, I would like to move to the back end and learn a server side language like PHP (I have already setup my server to handle php)....

Thanks - James

[ryanbutler]

I would go HTML/CSS route. Understand that, then tackle the back end part, such as PHP or ASP.NET.

[jamesmerr]

In your opinion, what is the most effective way to learn them?

[aj_nsc]

Step One - Have a desire to learn them
Step Two - Google (there are literally thousands of websites with tutorials devoted to anything you want to learn).

[ryanbutler]

In your opinion, what is the most effective way to learn them?

Pick a realistic project, and tackle it. Sitting through dozens of tutorials can only help so much.

[aj_nsc]

Good point by ryanbutler, I shall now add a step three to my above list - practice (which most tutorials encourage you do anyway). Even if just learned the basic page structure in HTML and know nothing else, create it on your computer yourself and view it in your web browser. Try everything you see and then try and expand on it on your own.

To paraphrase ryan's point, tutorials can become boring and tiresome - so sit down and create something yourself using what you know rather than reading about how it's done in a tutorial.

[jamesmerr]

Thanks guys I appreciate your feedback.....i started creating some pages last night and came across this problem I have posted in a different thread, maybe you guys have seen this and can help?

http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217467

[ryanbutler]

Haven't dealt much Apache on a local box. However, once you have it setup, I wouldn't change any default permissions.

[PETTE]

Look nowhere but W3schools (http://www.w3schools.com/). The best by far. You'll learn the basics in just minutes. Everything you need is there. Don't waste your time searching through hundreds and hundreds of google results/pages.

Very short and simple tutorials
______________________________________
CACIOCODE (http://www.caciocode.com) now blogging. www.caciocode.com

[opifex]

Sources like w3schools are fine, but are far from definitive sources. There are more than a few errors to be found in their pages and in other similar sites.
The only realistic way to learn is by doing... and by fixing your mistakes until it come out correctly. Start with the basics... (x)html and css. When you are comfortable as javascript to your toolbox. When you have a handle on all that add php and/or ajax to round out your arsenal.... and keep practicing and making mistakes. We learn by doing... and even more from fixing what we have done wrong.

[PETTE]

Sources like w3schools are fine, but are far from definitive sources. There are more than a few errors to be found in their pages and in other similar sites.
The only realistic way to learn is by doing... and by fixing your mistakes until it come out correctly. Start with the basics... (x)html and css. When you are comfortable as javascript to your toolbox. When you have a handle on all that add php and/or ajax to round out your arsenal.... and keep practicing and making mistakes. We learn by doing... and even more from fixing what we have done wrong.

How can one possibily learn without guidance. Opifex is absolutely right about the part of 'Learning from mistakes'. But unless he can provide some errors from the W3schools website then I'm afraid is very wrong. w3schools is 100% recomended by most proffessional programmers / website developers. You have to remember W3 is a stardand, infact a very popular one.

Don't waste your time reading endless articles all over the web. The best language to learn to start creating your own website is XHTML & CSS, If you can master these you should be able to build a very decent website for your portiflio. Then if you would like to do some server-side scripting like accepting contacts from your clients through your website then PHP is the best choice. If you could master XHTML & CSS then you should be able to build an attractive website. I would not recomend JavaScript at this stage because you'll be wasting your time. I hardly use it and it's quite a long language to learn (a lot of keywords), So you won't be needing it but very important especially with Ajax and DHTML.

I would also recomend the "PHP and Mysql Web Development Third Edition" great for intermediate PHP developers who what to extend their skills to Pro.

But for your website I recomend that you master XHTML & CSS, then PHP.

I leant XHML first, then CSS, JavaScript, XML, PHP, Ajax ...

Good luck.

______________________________________
CACIOCODE (http://www.caciocode.com) now blogging. www.caciocode.com