So, you might be wondering what qualifies me to talk about learning to code. Well, after finishing sixth form, I secured an apprenticeship at a local web agency. At 18, I had no website development skills whatsoever – I learned everything on the job. Throughout my career, I’ve worked at various web agencies, both as part of a large team of developers and as the sole developer for an agency.
With over 10 years of hands-on website development experience under my belt, I’d now like to share some tips with those looking to learn web development.
There are a vast number of programming languages available – if we take Wikipedia’s word for it, over 700! With so many to choose from, it’s virtually impossible to learn them all. I recommend selecting a specific area of expertise, such as front-end or back-end development. This will help narrow down the languages you need to focus on.
Website development is typically divided into two areas: front-end and back-end. The front-end is the “client-side,” referring to the browser and the user interacting with it.
A front-end developer writes code that a browser can interpret, which then renders the page to display the design. This includes everything from text and colours to buttons, images, and menus.
Front-end developers work with a range of programming languages. A good starting point is mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
HTML – Provides the structure – HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is a fundamental coding language that structures and organises content for browsers to read. It uses tags to define and display elements such as paragraphs, headings, and grid layouts.
CSS – Handles presentation – Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) define a website’s visual styles. By applying classes and IDs to HTML elements, CSS dictates aspects like background colours, fonts, and image sizes.
JavaScript – Brings interactivity – JavaScript is a scripting language used to create interactive effects within browsers. These include:
Everything you see while browsing the web is a combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, all processed by your browser. However, to store and manage the data behind these front-end elements, you also need back-end development.
Now onto the back-end, also known as the “server-side.” This part of a website isn’t visible to users. A back-end developer writes code to store and manage data, such as user account details, and ensures everything functions correctly on the client-side.
Back-end developers make the server, application, and database communicate with each other. To achieve this, they use programming languages such as PHP, Ruby, Python, Java, and .NET, as well as database tools like MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server. These tools retrieve, save, and modify data, delivering it to the front-end for display.
For example, when you purchase something online, your browser sends a request to the server. The server processes this and returns the necessary information for the browser to display.
Here are some common back-end languages:
By now, you should have a clearer understanding of the differences between front-end and back-end development. The next step is to research the day-to-day responsibilities of each role to determine which one appeals to you most.
Once you’ve made your decision, it’s time to start learning! Let’s explore some excellent online resources.
One of the great things about learning to code is that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are numerous free resources available, along with supportive communities of experienced developers. However, finding the right resources can be overwhelming, so here are some recommendations:
Codeacademy
Codecademy is an excellent platform with an extensive library of tutorials covering multiple web languages. You can code directly within the website, making learning more interactive.
If you already know which languages you want to learn, YouTube is a fantastic resource. There are countless video tutorials covering all aspects of web development. Simply search for the language you want to learn, save tutorials to a playlist, or dive straight in.
The Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) is an open-source platform with comprehensive documentation on web technologies and software development.
Stack Overflow is the largest and most trusted online community for developers. If you encounter an issue, chances are someone has already asked the same question, and the answer is readily available.
Most developers use text editors to write code. Here are some free options you can download:
The best way to learn to code is to practise. Choose a test project and start experimenting. You’ll learn as you go, and if you get stuck, Google is your best friend!
The internet offers countless additional resources beyond those mentioned here. Over time, you’ll discover the ones that suit you best. If you’re fortunate, you may even have someone in the industry who can provide guidance.
If you need inspiration for a beginner project, you can find seven simple ideas here.
Good luck! I’d love to hear about your progress – feel free to leave a comment below.
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