What Helped You?

[Jimmy]

Hey all,

I am a relatively new member of CSS-tricks although I have been actively reading the forum for about half a year now. The whole front-end process has been a hobby of sorts for me, however I find myself spending more and more time learning how to do new things.

I am currently sitting at one of the locations I oversee for a parking company, thanks to one of my employees not showing ( so forgive me for any poor wording here ) and figured I might as well work on developing a personal site / blog in which to document any progress I might make. I was curious what type of projects you found really helped you get a firm grasp on a particular topic or area of CSS/JS? What type of things did you find to be most effective moving forward once you had an intermediate knowledge of the base HTML and CSS syntax?

Hopefully I wont spent my entire morning here but look forward to anything you might have to contribute.

[nixnerd]

We get asked this question a lot. The best thing anyone can tell you is… think of something YOU think would be cool. Doesn’t really matter what it is, as long as it’s related to web. Then, you just start building it. It’s as simple as that. You’ll learn so much from pet projects.

[Jimmy]

Gah, i apologize, I should have been more clear i think. I meant is there a particular project or part of a site that anyone remembers creating or designing which has always stuck with them. I can’t really get any code done here because I need MY setup =P. Just really enjoy hearing about everything and anything interesting or particularly important to growing as a developer i guess.

[__]

should have been more clear i think.

well… I’m not sure you succeeded. What NIX is getting at is that, once you understand the basics, the only learning experiences that will have much impact will be those that are relevant and engaging: i.e., something that you’re doing and enjoy. Repeating someone else’s experience won’t necessarily lead to the same discoveries (in fact, I’d wager that in most cases, it won’t). “What Helped You?” practice.

HTML and CSS are fairly basic languages: it’s not like there are secrets that no one told you about them.* It’s all about how you put them into practice.

So, question is, do you have a good grasp on the basics yet?

* yes, people do super crazy things that you probably would never think of on your own. But if you have a solid understanding of the basics, you have everything you need for most practical purposes.

If you want to expand this question to JS, study:

• functions and closure
• the DOM and DOM APIs

[Jimmy]

well I think i regret ever having started this thread.

[Jimmy]

No its fine, I completely get it. Thank you and agreed.

[__]

well I think i regret ever having started this thread.

I really didn’t mean to push you that way. It’s not a bad question at all; I think the answer is just not what you were expecting. We are honestly not trying to avoid your question, or helping you learn. Once you know the basics,* it really is all about what makes the most sense, to you personally, to learn next.

* and I don’t mean to harp on this, so please don’t take offense, but it is important to know where your abilities are now. Does your HTML validate? Do you find it easy to think about what CSS selectors and rules would be best for your needs? Can you write JS that, even if it doesn’t do exactly what you want, is syntactically correct and doesn’t throw errors?

Is there a layout/design idea you have in mind? do you want to have a form that submits without refreshing the page? do you want to make a responsive logo without using an image?

If you’re not sure, surf around the web and find something you’d like to try to duplicate. Or hang out on the forums and follow along with what others are solving/learning.

[Jimmy]

No I understand, especially with people like myself coming in all the time to get magical answers for everything i’m sure. Thank you though, no harm done. I probably should have expected it and you’re right.

In terms of strengths…I have always been incredibly picky about details which is why I never seem to spend much time debugging which is nice. I just made the move to WebMatrix v3 which is incredible compared to the Notepad++ I had been using.

I think you are correct in asking me those questions, because I have been kind of blindly developing a blog/personal page “as I go”. This is most likely the reason for my slow progress. So with that being said, it looks like the next few days will be spent drawing up a design.

I have to ask (and I know I have seen threads about the initial stages of development), would you suggest I use a program like APS or AIS to create my layout?

In terms of future posts on my development process, I will make sure I’m sending parts of MY code and asking questions about things I have already researched. Thank you for the response by the way, it made a difference.

[__]

I just made the move to WebMatrix v3 which is incredible compared to the Notepad++ …

I highly, highly recommend avoiding “web creation” -type software (like webmatrix, dreamweaver, and so forth) if you are serious about learning. These types of programs will severely limit your learning experiences, as well as your understanding of what is actually going on with your sites/programs.

The IDE portion, on its own, looks fine; but there are actual IDEs that do the same things and more (for example, I use komodo).

If you really want to learn, install a local server, write in a code editor, and test in real browsers.

would you suggest I use a program like APS or AIS to create my layout?

Meaning Photoshop? Photoshop is for graphics. (You can find this discussion, and very strong opinions on it, all across the web.) Using PS to create a visual mockup or “wireframe” is fine, if you already like working in PS. But it’s not the place to do your final design. I work in the browser (usually in Chrome first, and then test/refine/accommodate in others), and sometimes use a pencil and paper to work out early concepts.

[__]

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of “wireframing,” it’s very useful. You don’t need a program to do it, but they’re useful for some people. You can do it with code as well.

[Jimmy]

@traq thankyou, I had been doing this on paper, not really aware of how many programs there are out there. I will definitely look into this.

@Atelierbram you said my learning style exactly,

I find this incredibly valuable to see and hear developers write, and/or show/talk about their own workflow

It really helps me when I am starting to feel like I may be coming of track. I will definitely take your advice in terms of questions on here. My desire is to learn things on a fundamental level and hopefully I will find a method that works soon! I always found myself feeling like I was just regurgitating code as opposed to really getting it. The Lodge videos are a good example of what really helps me understand things.

[__]

I had been doing this on paper, not really aware of how many programs there are out there. I will definitely look into this.

Well, I was actually trying to emphasize the process (which is very useful), and not telling you you need to get a program for it. I usually do it on paper. But if you like one of those programs, go for it.

Atelierbram’s suggestion of helping others when you can is good also: nothing helps you really think critically about something than explaining it to someone else.

[nixnerd]

But I do get bumped out…

Sorry if I did bump you out…

@Atelierbram Where are you from? Sorry to go off-topic but now I’m very curious.

@Sino Dude, don’t worry. First of all, no one is pissed you started this thread. I was where you are about 2 years ago. Now, I do this full time from home. Secondly, if you keep learning and keep trying to build cool shit, you’ll be awesome in what feels like no time! The key is… just build what you think is cool. There a BILLION cool little CSS and JS hacks out there. Codepen is littered with them. Make your own and come here when you get stuck. It’s that simple. Oh… and don’t cheat yourself… touch code everyday.

[nixnerd]

@Atelierbram I’ll admit I am more obsessed with the way people speak/write than the average person. I take GREAT delight in paying close attention to people’s speech. Seems like you know the English language QUITE well. But, as you’ve mentioned, common idioms are sometimes the most difficult part of any language.

Here in the States, we would say “bummed out” as opposed to “bumped out”.

FYI: Had you not typed that… there’s no way I would have known you were not American :)

[Jimmy]

Hmmm, I stopped thinking about the programs, and just got sublime and prepros to compile sass. Thank you all by the way for being so helpful. It really does make a difference.

On the topic of language and culture, I am quite depressed as I have lost nearly all of my British accent over the many years of school spent here in the states.

But on that note, I shall embark on my creative journey riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight……….now!

[Author]

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