Programming

[Robert Freeman 0]

Hello all.

I've begun thinking about ideas I have for a web site and trying to figure out what I would have to do to make it. And I think I'll have to do some programming for it. But I know very very little about it. I've heard the names of a few languages and I've seen a few lines of code but that's about it. So I was wondering what the easiest way to start learning how to program was? Which language should I start with (even if I have to start with one to learn programming in general and then learn others to be able to make my site)?

I also plan on learn html or css or both (or whatever else I need to), but I would also like to know what the easiest way to learn programming would be if I do end up having to program.

Are different languages for different types of sites? What are the advantages or disadvantages of each and how do I know what would be the best one for me to learn in the beginning and eventually the best one for my web site?

Thanks for your time and help.

Robert

[ruveyn ben yosef 0]

I also plan on learn html or css or both (or whatever else I need to), but I would also like to know what the easiest way to learn programming would be if I do end up having to program.

Check out your local community colleges. A very frequent offering from community colleges is a course on web design which also includes courses on HTML or XML. These courses are general "hands on". The best way to learn is to do.

ruveyn

[softwareGuru 0]

There are a whole slew of language options, but these days three most popular for typical, not-too-graphical, web-sites are: PHP, .NET and Java. Of these, I would guess that PHP-based sites are the most common for small web-sites that want to make use of a lot of free stuff. Many free software packages have been written in PHP. For instance, if you want a web-site that publishes your articles, or acts as a blog, or contains a forum, or has a chat-room, you can install the right free package and be ready in a day.

If it is not confidential, what type of site are you considering? Unless it is something that has not been done before, rather than figure out the programming language, I would advise you to look for similar sites on the web and see what they are using (not what languages, but what software packages). Often, you'll find they are using some ready-made free software.

[PhilO 0]

I've begun thinking about ideas I have for a web site and trying to figure out what I would have to do to make it. And I think I'll have to do some programming for it.

The first thing to make clear in your mind if you're interested in web sites is the difference between "server-side" and "client-side". Server-side programs reside on the computer serving up web pages to remote browsers; examples of languages are PHP, Ruby, Perl, .NET, Java, and other possibilities. Client-side programs are typically written in Javascript, which is not to be confused with Java. Javascript programming can be very complex these days; Google's applications such as Gmail and Maps make extensive use of complex Javascript (generally output as a result of their own Java->Javascript compiler system, but that's an aside.) Many other websites also depend on Javascript now. Server-side programs can generate client-side Javascript programs themselves (programs writing programs.)

I suggest working with a "local" language that runs on your own computer before you plunge into web programming, for example, Microsoft's .NET languages, Ruby, and Java (using the free Eclipse system.)

[jordanz 0]

I would also like to know what the easiest way to learn programming would be if I do end up having to program.

I would suggest using a website development tool such as Dreamweaver. Learning programming is a long process akin to learning to play a musical instrument. Some people can pick up an instrument and play simple songs in a few months while others take years. Packages such as Dreamweaver eliminate a lot of the hard stuff.

[Robert Freeman 0]

Thank you all for the advice.

[prometheus98876 0]

I dont want ot sound overly critical here, and I know I am jumping in a little late...but Dreamweaver is not quite all that it is cracked up to be. It can be a great tool to help you get stuff done, particulary if you cannot be bothered with wading around in source code, but quite frankly I think if you actually want to get a grip of that, you should probably not use Dreamweaver...

Ultimately it depends on whether you are more concerned with how the page looks (in which case Dreamweaver could well be a great tool) or if you are worried about the source code , in which case it might not have a lot to offer, and might actually encourage bad habits.