Hello everyone, this is my first post to this site. Usally I just read, but I answers! I've taking a week vacation from work to learn how to code. I'm sure this will take time and won't happen over night, but I've had serval web ideas that have been started by companys and plenty more that haven't. So I figured instead of trying to find a tech, I could teach myself and get to work. I love tech and web but never went to school. Its my dream to see my ideas infront of me rather just in my head. They're all I think about 24/7. Every thought is on paper. The only problem is getting it on the web.
So far I understand how HTML, CSS, and Javascript work together. My problem is, "Where do I start?" I"ve been reading for months. Books, Twitter, HN, W3schools,and random sites. I feel as if I'm reading the same thing over and over. Or like I need a mentor or partner with expereince. I have my first domain name, but no web host. I understand having a scope of work, NDA, business plan, etc.. But when it comes to the code " What do I do first?" Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like the HTML is what I want the site to say or read, the CSS is the way I want the site to look, and the Script is how I want the site to act or interact. Is that right? Can someone please recommend books that I can read or sites I can visit? I feel lost and don't know what steps to take or what should be done first second ... Programs I have are Dreamweaver, Notepad++, Photoshop. After reading and studing, I started a habit of reading every sites page source. I can understand most of it and see how some sites are the same, but I need to write my own.Also, are generators useful? Thanks for your help
Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
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Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#2There are some threads on learn how to code: http://www.google.com/search?q=site:news.ycombinator.com+int...
In general, learning how to program will take its time. It's a craft that has to be learned. (http://norvig.com/21-days.html) And other option for you is to find a technical co-founder, which is probably more effective than learning how to code ;)
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#3I went crazy too trying to learn everything. Everyone had the same advice: just use the Internet.
Try this book. it is phenomenal. Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Dynamic Websites http://www.amazon.com/Learning-MySQL-JavaScript-Step---Step/...
After you are done with that, try this book: PHP and MySQL Web Development http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dst...
And after you are done with it. Beef up your css with this one:CSS Mastery: Advanced Web Standards Solutions http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dst...
Once you are done with that, get your jQuery groove on with this: jQuery: Novice to Ninja http://www.amazon.com/jQuery-Novice-Ninja-Earle-Castledine/d...
then you can go on to jQuery cookbook and Professional JavaScript for Web Developers
Personally I love ruby for rails (ror) rather than php. But for development/sys admin and the developer community, I would stick with php. I have used cakephp which is ok. Not like RoR (which I pine for). But the development community is much nicer. If you decide to learn RoR go with: Head First Rails and Agile Web Development with Rails. There are some others that I have not read but are have good reviews in Amazon.
Oh yeah - stay away from Dreamweaver. What a piece of crap.
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#4I think you've got half the equation- you're motivated you know what you want, and you're seeking guidance.
The best way to learn programming is to have a project you want to implement. It is clear you have a web project in mind, so the best way to implement, and thus (probably) the first thing to learn, will depend on what kind of project it is.
Is it something like 280 slides where it runs all in the browser? Or is it like facebook where each action (nearly) results in a new page load?
If it is the former, then looking at sproutcore or cappuccino would be a good idea. IF the latter, then you need a web framework.
Once you've answered this question the first step is to start looking at tutorials for the technology you want to learn. (javascript, CSS and html are a bit too broad right off, we need you building your first "hello world")
There is going to be a tutorial for just about every web technology framework you could imagine. IF you've looked at javascript and you can sorta follow what's going on there, then maybe sproutcore or cappucino might be good things to look at. If you don't have a clue what's happening with javascript then it might be prudent to look at a python or other tutorial.
There is no wrong answer here. You can pick a language, any language, and work thru a tutorial. IF that tutorial is anywhere close to being web related, then try extending the tutorial to do some aspect of what you want to do (Eg: add a form to it.)
Tutorials are nice because they are step-by-step, and you can't really get lost. Just keep doing them and reading chapters of books and articles about the particular language you choose until you start having lightbulbs go off in your head.
I've been programming for several decades, and when I have a new area that I need to learn about, this is what I do. In fact, several years ago I picked up a new language. I used to be proficient at it, and I have an idea that makes sense for this language, but I didn't keep it up....
and so what am I doing?
I'm reading a book on the language and working thru tutorials for the technology I want to use. I really want to start building my project, but I'm forcing myself to re-learn the bits I forgot. So, I'm doing exactly what I recommend you do.
I think python or a python based framework might be a good way to start. (I'm not a python fanatic, but find it usable, and think it might be relatively accessible to you..as my personal favorite language is known for being inaccessible.)
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#5There are some threads on learn how to code: http://www.google.com/search?q=site:news.ycombinator.com+int... In general, learning how to program will take its time. It's a craft that has to be learned. ( http://norvig.com/21-days.html ) And other option for you is to find a technical co-founder, which is probably more effective than learning how to code ;)
Thank you. Now for finding a tech co-founder.. do you know of any sites? Would a NDA need to be present? What percent of the company should the tech have? They are doing most of the work.
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#6There are some threads on learn how to code: http://www.google.com/search?q=site:news.ycombinator.com+int... In general, learning how to program will take its time. It's a craft that has to be learned. ( http://norvig.com/21-days.html ) And other option for you is to find a technical co-founder, which is probably more effective than learning how to code ;)
Thank you. Now for finding a tech co-founder.. do you know of any sites? Would a NDA need to be present? What percent of the company should the tech have? They are doing most of the work.
Probably just read the threads first :) http://www.google.com/search?q=site:news.ycombinator.com+int...
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#7The only way to learn programming is to just do it. Start with a small project, a simple problem that you can program.
Go through the HTML manual, test every tag and attribute, write a little snippet of HTML, upload it and display it on your browser (this assumes you have a Website and know FTP. GoDaddy is an inexpensive and quick way to get started). FireFTP (Firefox plug-in) is great. All you need is Notepad to edit the raw HTML. It's not efficient for production, but it's perfect for learning fundamentals.
Go to www.w3schools.com for a well-organized overview of HTML, CSS, Javascript.
Firebug (another Firefox plug-in) will reveal the inner working of your CSS. You can change the values interactively and immediately see the results.
Just do it.
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#8There are some threads on learn how to code: http://www.google.com/search?q=site:news.ycombinator.com+int... In general, learning how to program will take its time. It's a craft that has to be learned. ( http://norvig.com/21-days.html ) And other option for you is to find a technical co-founder, which is probably more effective than learning how to code ;)
Thank you. Now for finding a tech co-founder.. do you know of any sites? Would a NDA need to be present? What percent of the company should the tech have? They are doing most of the work.
ok, this is the problem. Nooooo. You will be doing a shit load of work too. Why?
You must validate the market and make sure there are users who will take money out of their wallet for this: either as direct or indirect (advertisers).
Your job will be to find what is working and not working.
Forget programming, make pencils sketches even - then talk to the people that will be using this. You will be working twice or more harder than the programmer.
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#9I think you've got half the equation- you're motivated you know what you want, and you're seeking guidance. The best way to learn programming is to have a project you want to implement. It is clear you have a web project in mind, so the best way to implement, and thus (probably) the first thing to learn, will depend on what kind of project it is. Is it something like 280 slides where it runs all in the browser? Or is…
Thanks for your thoughts! One project or my main project is going to be like facebook for an untapped market. So with that being said, can Python help with that? I thought python was similar to Java. Just programming apps or software, not websites? Do you think i should start looking for a tech co-founder agian?
Re: Learning to code. Or am I just crazy??
#10I went crazy too trying to learn everything. Everyone had the same advice: just use the Internet. Try this book. it is phenomenal. Learning PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Dynamic Websites http://www.amazon.com/Learning-MySQL-JavaScript-Step---Step/... After you are done with that, try this book: PHP and MySQL Web Development http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dst...…
wow really? I thought Dreamweaver was the best. I googled top tools used by web designers, and that always came up. I always see Dreamweaver everywhere I look. what tools do you use? If you dont mind me asking. It seems that notpad is good for me to start with, but I also have evernote and that shows me the results of the code ive typed. what do you think?