I just got done with html. What should I do next?? XHTML, CSS, XML, php, ajax... I was thinking of doing it in that order listed above. After that, I would head to php and ajax. What do you guys think? I read a lot that XHTML and CSS are good together. So I figured I would learn XHTML then CSS. Not sure, what path to take. All help is appreciated.
Learn a little CSS, you needn't to go too far. Learn PHP to create scripts and (X)HTML text. Then learn AJAX if you really need it But we don't know what kind of websites you want to create... Good luck, Learning is endless
I would have skipped HTML entirely and simply learned xhtml and css. HTML combines style and content. XHTML and CSS are HTML with better forethought. XHTML describes the structure of the data, while CSS describes the presentation fo the data. That is, XHTML might use <table><tr><td></td></tr></table> to define a table that is empty and essentially invisible, and the CSS would define things like borders and cell padding. For example, <table><tr><td></td><td style="border: 1px black solid;"></td></tr></table> would make a table with two empty cells, but only one cell would be visible to the naked eye due to the border around that cell. You'll find a better explaination than that once you start learning it, but that's a 30 second review of why html shouldn't be taught any more. After you learn XHTML and CSS, I'd learn some Javascript. Not a lot, just enough to manipulate the DOM and maybe create some basic objects. That'll come in handy when you learn a server side scripting language so you can implement your own AJAX controls. For the scripting language, I'd recommend Python first. It seems to be the way everything is going. There is a huge amount of PHP code and applications available too though, so after you learn the basics of Python, pick up some PHP. I recommend Python before PHP because then you'll learn to think in terms of how you do things with Python. Once you've learned the basics of a scripting language or two, learn about a data storage engine like XML (slow but portable) and SQL (fast but not very portable). By the time you get that far, you'll be cursing the day you ever decided to bother with this stuff and looking for welding schools. Or maybe that's just me.
xHTML and CSS is the way to go for the presentation layer. I agree that a basic grounding in Javascript will always be useful especially if you are considering custom AJAX. If you are looking to get into serverside then you are opening up a whole nother ball park with many options and many people with very strong views over which is "best". Personally would go down the .Net route rather than PHP but it ultimately comes down to preferences. What do you actually want to be able to do with these skills that you are learning? If it is for commercial application then most people will specialise either in design or programming with indepth knowledge/ skill of one and high level understanding of the other. It is generally only hobbiests that think it is best to try and become a master of both.
I'm probably going to be lambasted for this, but Python is a growing language that does more than just create web pages. YouTube, the first BitTorrent client, and Civ 4 all use Python. Google and NASA make extensive use of Python, and that list is growing. Sure, PHP is a modern language too, and .NET is certainly not shrinking, but PHP coders are a dime a dozen, and .NET coders are only slightly less common. Learning Python now will put you ahead of the curve. Besides, Python plays well with with both technologies. Plus it is a little more portable than PHP (PHP can be run on a Windows box, but how many applications actually recommend it?), and definately more portable than .NET (which is the only reason I don't recommend .NET)! I certainly recommend learning PHP and/or.NET, but picking up Python first will help instill that mindset in you (I still find myself writing quasi-code in Applesoft Basic 20 years later).
Depends what it if for, If your in it for design I would advise HTML + XML or XHTML then move into CSS, don't get to deep into it though there is'nt much need as long as you can make it look like what u want it to look like. For Web Developement PHP, think of the rest like a car without an engine, a car can look nice but wont go anywhere with out an engine, gives you tools to work well with data & databases works with almost everything plus it is free and is developing quickly, plus you can charge the earth for your services if your any good
If you do use Python you can learn IronPython for use with .Net too so this may be a route. .Net does have the same "advantages" of Python in the fact it is so much more than just a web technology. PHP is not really a commercial language - the number of "big" sites using it are shrinking and a significant number that have a php file extension are not even PHP any more. Java (JSP) and .Net have existing massive corporate support and both are growing. If corporate level is what you are aiming at then either of these technologies would be good or python if you want a potentially more risky option. If you want to be a simple web developer for the SME market then PHP is certainly an option as would all of the others but realistically you wont be owning a fleet of bentlies this way if this is your end aim.