Forums

The forums ran from 2008-2020 and are now closed and viewable here as an archive.

Home Forums Other Newbie Needs Guidance

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #41924
    rdldew
    Member

    So I’m fairly new (< 1 year) to web dev. I know a decent amount of HTML and CSS. I also learned some basic JQuery, probably enough to manipulate a couple things on a page. I also know the basic to JavaScript and PHP and such. I have to say that I really don’t like programming. I’m not a fan of writing apps in any language, like Java and such. With that being said, is there a dividing line in web dev? Are there just designers who don’t code in things like Ruby, JavaScript and so on? Or as a web dev, should I try to fill my time learning all of those languages they show on CodeSchool plus deeper HTML and CSS? I’m starting a new job as a student co-op this summer and would love to figure out how much I should really learn. Any help that you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    #120642
    Melindrea
    Participant

    From my understanding, there are a few “lines”, though exactly where it goes depends on who you’re talking to =)

    If you don’t have any interest in programming, then I think that “developer” might not be the title you’re looking for, but rather “designer”.

    Since you have interest in HTML/CSS from what it seems, I would focus on becoming king at that, IE being able to make fullblown static templates to be handed down to whomever will be coding the underlying structure/functionality.

    Outside of pure technology (HTML, CSS, best practices, , etc) I would look into the psychology behind it, so that you can make good UIs that work. Usability, Human-Computer Interaction, etc.

    #120655
    Andy Howells
    Participant

    @rdldew – At Unleash (my business) – I do the front end code, HTML/CSS and some basic JS and a tiny bit of PHP – usually the PHP is just related to particular content management systems, like WordPress for example.

    If more indepth PHP/JS/programming is needed then I have a backend developer who concentrates on that. So basically we separate responsibility between front and backend development.

    Regarding design (photoshop/illustrator work) that is by another person entirely, so we have 3 people on each project working on different sections and responsibilities.

    It’s always best to be a master of something than a jack of all trades so I would say to focus on front end development if you’re not keen on learning programming languages.

    I would say that JavaScript should be on your to-do list though as JQuery is usually used for presentation so that would fall under the realm of front-end development.

    #120691
    chrisburton
    Participant

    “It’s always best to be a master of something than a jack of all trades “

    I agree with this statement. Specializing in areas can really help you get your foot in the door.

    #120700
    Melindrea
    Participant

    Another thing that will help getting your foot in the door is showing curiosity and a clear eagerness to learn.

    Anecdotal evidence ahoy: I got my current job because when the person asked me if I knew X, and my response was along the lines of “no, where should I start to pick that up?” (I figured I was already screwed =), that’s at least a part of what landed me the job. I’m also good at what I do, etc, but it was the clear willigness to learn that helped me the most.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • The forum ‘Other’ is closed to new topics and replies.