I'm interested in learning about web development and would like to know which are the best technologies to learn. ASP, PHP, HTML, XHTML, CSS, .NET, JavaScript, Java, other?
learn html or xhtml fierst ! learn after css ! then start learning some dinamical development ! but you got to start with the basics ! baby stapes !
I would reccomed to start of with those for coding. Learn (X)HTML, CSS and PHP first. They should be your core and then work out onto other languages after that. For graphics I would reccomend Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator. If you want to learn animation then get Macromedia Flash. Well if you learnt how to use all of the above like an expert that should keep you going for 2-5 years. :LOL:
If you want to learn server side programming language (like PHP or ASP) then you also should consider learning how to handle MySQl or PostgreSQL.
Most people agree so far: - (x)html first - css right after - php/asp (I like php better) and SQL - Read about programming/software engineering in general if you want to become a real programmer instead of a scripter. Being a software engineer is having the right mindset.
I understand that the following question is like asking how long is a piece of string but I'll ask nonetheless. I am looking at beginning proficient in XHTML, CSS, PHP and MySQL, but the difference is that I due to circumstances out of my control cannot attend a university and would like to study it in my own time. I have the entire week to study, around 3 kids and some contracting work I do and wonder how long it should really take. I am planning to work through the w3 school's website, maybe focusing on a couple hours a day. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I would suggest checking out Lynda.com. I've used the w3 schools website but I found it a little hard to retain what I learned by just following the examples. You're going to fly through that site in no time. Lynda.com has videos with certified instructors. I found it a lot easier to follow what they were saying. It's not completely free but they offer a lot of free videos to get you started and it's way cheaper than going to college. You can pay by month, months, or by year. If anything at least check it out. Good luck. Oh and I don't work for them, LOL, I'm just a guy that was in the same situation you were in.
I agree with shingouki2385. Lynda.com is definitely worth it. Another idea would be to create a blog or website for yourself. Don't use a theme but start from scratch. This could be your end goal. Plan out what you would like your blog or site to be like. Sketch it out. And then ask yourself. Well how do I do this? Then look for courses on Lynda.com. As you learn keep that initial question in the back of your mind. That way you can pause and work a little on your goal. When you get stuck. Go back to the tutorials. I think the more you can apply the tutorials to real world projects the better. Also I would look at job postings to see what job descriptions you would like. Often you will see the web development world divided between designers, front-end developers and back-end developers. I would try and fit yourself in one camp and specialize on the languages required for that position. I think it would be hard to learn and be good at all of the technologies. I have a design background so my core is user interface design, HTML and CSS. Then I branch off from there. When you get to the point of selling yourself be honest about your core and demonstrate your professionalism. The other skills you have are seen as a bonus.