Becoming a Web Developer

HTML (not that you'll use it a great deal), CSS, PHP, JavaScript and AJAX. AJAX has great functionality and purpose, many e-commerce entities use it. If you can get any recognised certificate or qualification in web technologies, then your foot is in the door. The next is to develop your own project, an innovative idea and let it lose on the internet. For example, someone in my faculty at university developed (www).justdelete.me and he got widely recognised across the world for it. With this being his project and having it under his belt of accomplishments, he successfully managed to obtain an industrial placement which has now, of course, been the stepping stones for his career.

There's a lot more to web technologies than you may think by just under taking HTML and CSS. Like many things, it takes time and persistence to constantly find new ways. Resilience to fight through the difficult concepts. University is a great place for learning to code, the knowledge base and resources are so valuable. Then again, the best and most creative learning and ideas come from your own bed room. What time you put in to tutorials, books (and any other sources) means the more you'll get out of it.

Good luck.

Why do you want to be a front end developer? The real fun and money is in back end development. You can not only design services for websites but also systems that have nothing to do with websites. Why limit yourself?

I am determined this time to persist and keep going. This is what I needed! Just some encouragement and motivation, thanks for your kind words and information. May I ask, are you a Web developer or an aspiring one?

HTML (not that you'll use it a great deal)

No I have no intentions to take it up as a career, though it was my first hobby as a child and I took a unit on web scripting last year in university.

You may change your idea on what to be once you start to learn more languages. So what's your plan then, in terms of bettering your knowledge&skillset?

A front end developer won't be using HTML much?

Yeah, that may indeed be the case. Well, for now resume learning HTML & CSS via Books & Online tutorials. I will also look to resume learning JavaScript via the same means. It's those three languages for now I will look to try and become proficient in for now. PHP, AJAX is also of interest. Maybe find a framework to work with too. Heard Wordpress is good. Have you used Wordpress?

As opposed to JavaScript and AJAX, no. I actually said "a great deal". From what you've quoted me, to what you've written are two very different means.

Common English would refer "much" as to, hardly any at all. Whereas "a great deal" would impose "still existent, but not your primary...".

Semantic pedantry aside, all front end developers will use HTML "a great deal" given that it is the That said, it seems you strongly believe that a website must have HTML incorporated in order for a browser to render it?. It doesn't even make sense to suggest that developers will use Ajax more than they'll use HTML given that; 1 - the former is almost always dependent on the latter as far as front end dev is concerned and; 2 - Ajax isn't even a technology but a methodology, meaning it's not so much comparing apples and oranges as comparing apples and orangutans.

Again, I'll say that I didn't suggest HTML was non-existent and I understand its existence is fundamental to any webpage's valid existence.

Though I will agree with the majority of what you've written. HTML is a necessity and you will inevitably use it. However the ratio for the use of HTML, compared to any other client-side languages would be heavily out-weighed in JavaScript's and AJAX's methodology (as you put it) favour. I think that's the point I initially wanted to make.

I don't think that is a valid point. Ajax is just a small part of Javascript, whereas a front end developer will make extensive use of HTML.

How so?

Sorry for double post, but to answer your question: Wordpress as a framework? How'd you mean?

I use Wordpress for my blog, I quite like it. Provides many features, themes and plugins. Give it a whirl! You should definitely have your own portfolio online; just something you can toy around with and show off when you want to impress a person of interest.

Best way to learn is to do it. Look into local businesses that are willing to take you on as a freelancer, whether it be paid or not. Use a Content Management System (CMS) such as DotNetNuke, Joomla, Drupal, Wordpress, etc. Become confident in at least one CMS - most organizations use these today. Then work on perfecting your resume. Front End Web Developers should be familiar with Photoshop and have a decent eye for detail and design. Your resume is a great area to showcase your creativity - which most companies really want in a front-end developer. Take a look here at a few Web Developer Resumes

Again, I'll say that I didn't suggest HTML was non-existent and I understand its existence is fundamental to any webpage's valid existence.

Though I will agree with the majority of what you've written. HTML is a necessity and you will inevitably use it. However the ratio for the use of HTML, compared to any other client-side languages would be heavily out-weighed in JavaScript's and AJAX's methodology (as you put it) favour. I think that's the point I initially wanted to make.

I sense someone is talking out of their rather large behind. I (and I expect many others in similar roles) spend at least 60-70% of my time with HTML/CSS when working on the front end. Until that is all sound, I don't even bother with JS.

Your theory? Utter BS.