Webmasters' Skills Evolution

I myself am no expert when it comes to scripting languages. I learn't html first off, then css, now I'm learning php and I also know some javascript. If your interested in learning something you should just go ahead and learn it. There really is no order in which these things should be learned. You should start off with the basics and progress through to the harder stuff. I've never really been interesting in java and C++. I have always been interested in Perl, ASP, PHP and SSI. Which are the most widely used and should all be learnt through your webmaster times. It's really up to you what you learn and how you go about learning it. I mainly stick to tutorials I find on the internet and I sometimes use books..

It really depends on what you are learning it for. If you want to learn stuff to get a job, as in learning at school, and you have the time you can start where ever you fancy and then progress through your list. However like many of us here we learn stuff as we need to use it and put it to practical use as we master it.

I would say that you should start out with HTML/xhtml, then learn CSS. A few years ago I would have said that Javascript would be the logical next step, but I'm not so sure anymore. It's probably more important now to know a server-side language (ASP, PHP, or ColdFusion). That's where I'm at right now. Perl may be another option. Oh, and a related database system is important there as well.

After that it probably depends on what kind of work you want to do. You could also get into ActionScript if you're working with Flash at all (ActionScript is very similar to Javascript, so once you know one the other isn't too difficult). I really don't know about C++ or Java or anything like that. I do remember seeing Java a lot on job postings (that's a good place to look if you want to know what you should be learning... that is, if you can find any!)

As for software, it's more important for a developer to know the code rather than any specific packages. You should at least have a basic understanding of programs like Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver etc., but as a developer you'll probably rely on designers to do the really intensive work in that area.

I've always looked at Java/C++/VB as separate from "webmastering".

Yeah, Java and JSP; C++ and CGI; VB and ASP; they do couple... but for the most part I didn't really relate them.

For web work, I began with HTML, then Javascript, then ASP, then PHP/MySQL.

I learned new things as I needed them. I began ASP when I needed server-side options, then moved to PHP because I found it was better and easier.

I also learned in parallel, graphic design and using Photoshop/Flash/Fireworks.

A lot of webmasters learn Java and such, but it isn't always for the sake of "webmastering". I suppose it's only the high-end programmers who use them as part of the job.

The_Oracle,

Let's say you want to learn programming/scripting for the web only. You have to ask yourself a couple of questions..

1. What OS is my main target (Unix, Windows, etc)?
2. What kind if scripts/applications do I want to create (Design, forms, database, games, etc)?

Once you know the answer to these 2 questions, you'll have a much easier time deciding what language suits best your needs.

I feel like i am very experienced at HTML, I have been designing pages for at least two years; and I started CSS, which isnt that hard. I am slowly getting into Graphic Design, PHP, and PERL. Like others have said, i try to learn things as i need to...i'm a slow learner...but o well...

What do you guys think about C/C++, non-web development coding? I am wondering what advantages you have by knowing those when trying to learn server-side languages like PHP, ASP, and Perl. I imagine it gives you some advantage and since I have no background in those languages, it makes it tougher, no?

Quote: Originally posted by mjames
What do you guys think about C/C++, non-web development coding? I am wondering what advantages you have by knowing those when trying to learn server-side languages like PHP, ASP, and Perl. I imagine it gives you some advantage and since I have no background in those languages, it makes it tougher, no?

Well it isn't so much knowing a high level lanuage that helps you -- its knowing the fundamentals and algorithms of programming, as well as the objects.

Knowing a markup language will help you progress with other markup/presentation languages and their counterparts: XHTML, XML, CSS, XSL, etc.

Knowing the objects used in a browser will help with client side script languages (javascript, and in some cases VBScript). You will learn about these objects using them in markup, for example...what a DIV is and its properties...

Once you learn client side scripting you have the basics of how programming works -- so moving to server side isn't that hard you just have to learn about the different objects available to you. You aren't just dealing with the browser any more -- more things are open to you including the functions of the server and databases.

Using that experience could help you learning application programming for the desktop and cut down the curve of just learning it from the beginning. But, remember you just spent all that time before learning HTML and up.

Going the other way has a higher learning curve from the beginning but it diminishes... Learning C++ and applications programming out of the gate will teach you about the OS, objects, algorithms, etc...from there all you have to learn is the difference in the languages and such.

But, this is just a very general example. It really all depends on what you and the "programs" you want to build are best suited for.

So my best advice is continue to learn something new no matter what. Do what you like and progress from there. Cross-training in multiple technologies is very valuable.

Welcome to TWF tormented. So what's your level of experience in such things?

Quote: Originally posted by The Webmistress
Welcome to TWF tormented. So what's your level of experience in such things?

Hello Webmistress , thank you for the kind welcome.

My background is in Microsoft/Windows based technologies although I have made a recent effort in the *nix arena.

My programming experience deals more with network administration and web interfaces than anything else.

But I started with HTML, way back in the day, and just continued to keep up with the spec as it progressed.

I then learned Javascript. Started to learn VB & a little VC++. Became seriously interested in the OS and networking then to using IIS, ASP, and databases.

Recently I've have begun to deal with .Net and am learning the syntax of PHP.

And during this time I would say that my graphics skill (of which little I started with) has gone into the toliet due to my lack of use of Photoshop and Illustrator over the last 2 yrs.

Sounds like you know your stuff and I'm sure you'll be a great help around here with your knowledge

I must admit I strated off with HTML using WYSIWYG editors like Front Page. Once I'd figured what was going on I then slowly moved myself to hand coding my site. The big jump I have made is to learn ColdFusion. I've tried both ASP & PHP but I find CF the shallowest learning curve of all.

Once you are familiar with a tag markup language I would definately recommend CF as it is still tag based but very powerful. Learning Databses and how to construct one properly is a must for anyone considering moving into Server Side languages as well IMHO...

I started with the higher level (english like) languages and worked my way down to the lower level (machine like) languages. Meaning, I started with HTML and the client side, then progressed to the server side. I'm now knee deep with my cousin in hex code and checksums. And this next semester, I'll be learning assembly.

There were some good questions posted...

Depending on your target OS, you'll need to learn different technologies. With the Microsoft solution, you'd most likely be using Windows, IIS, ASP, and SQL Server. With the Unix solution, you'd use *nix, Apache, PHP/PERL/CGI, mySQL/mSQL/pgSQL.

Depending the applications your writting, your languages will vary. VB, C/C++/C#, and Java are mainly for application developement. ASP, PHP, and PERL are mainly used for web.