Web Design

[PerpetualImperfexion]

I kind of want to get into web design and was wondering what languages I should learn and what programs I should have. Any suggestions would be helpful.

[Jess]

HTML, CSS are good...you can borrow books on them from your local library.

[Rayquaza]

Well, Dreamweaver is good for web designing, but I'd try learning to code HTML. Dreamweaver is a WYSIWYG editor, so it's good for newbies.

[TheMatrix]

Dreamweaver is a WYSIWYG editor, so it's good for newbies.
Yeah, if you like overpriced crap that doesn't quite do what you want it to do, then Dreamweaver is great.

If you're looking to get into web design, start simple first. Yes, all of those libraries like jQuery can get pretty tempting, but it's good to start with just pure HTML first. Not too long after, try adding CSS. After that, try using JavaScript to add some neat tricks to your creations(make sure to use non-IE specific ones, or you won't get very far). Only then should you attempt jQuery, YUI, etc.
Once you've mastered static content, you can move on to dynamic server-side coding.

It seems that a lot of people will tell you to start with PHP, making claims such as "it's good for beginners" or "it makes more sense". Don't believe that unless you've tried it yourself. I can say that those claims are false, because it does not teach the separation of markup and logic.
I would start with something like Perl(my personal preference), ASP.NET* or similar(there are open source implementations available), JSP*, or any other language that works both on the web as well as off. This is important because that way you will be able to apply the knowledge of one language to more applications besides only web.
If you do decide to go with PHP, force yourself to use a templating system such as Smarty.

Good luck!
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* Why would I possibly recommend that -- am I crazy? No, it's because this language encourages the separation of markup and logic by use of XSLT or other templating systems.

[PerpetualImperfexion]

Thanks everyone, I'll look into your suggestions.


As mentioned, Dreamweaver is a good program since your just starting out. I know nothing about web design and I learned the ins and outs of Dreamweaver instantly.

My first problem with this reply is "I know nothing about web design". I was really looking for help from experienced people. Secondly you say you learned the ins and outs instantly. I'm here to learn not just use a program when I have no idea what's going on in the background. Lastly you said dreamweaver is a good program if you're just starting out. If you understand the ins and outs of THIS program I think it would benefit you to look into a more advanced program/way of doing things. I suppose you were just trying to back up DW by saying it's easy to use, but that's not what I'm looking for.

[Rayquaza]

Of course I'm not saying BUY Dreamweaver, I didn't mention anything about the price. I meant why not download a 30 day trial of it and try it for yourself. It's not crap, many people use it to create professional - looking websites, and it does do what you want to do, as I said, its WYSIWYG.

Dreamweaver can get you into the feel of designing web pages, since your title is called "Web Design", and if you're learning to code, you basically strip down all elements of the designing until you've mastered a lot of the language.

Of course if you don't like Dreamweaver, you can always use Microsoft Word to make web pages ^_^

[Straight]

I dont use Dreamweaver, or word, i just use good old handy notepad!

[Truth]

I personally suggest to learn HTML, CSS, XML, PHP, JavaScript, Java, and possibly Python.

I've learned most of these so far from my computing science course, I use the program called "Eclipse", very easy to get it for free if you're computer-savy.

[Mind Blank]

Definitely HTML to begin with. While learning HTML, you'll soon be required to learn CSS, too. You can create stylish, tidy, professional-looking websites using only HTML and CSS, but after a while, when you've got those two "down", you may want to have a look at PHP or ASP.NET - both are used to generate dynamic content for web pages, based on visitors' choices, among other things, including simple things such as the theme changers on forums (which, admittedly, can also be done in Javascript), and more advanced things, like permission-based buttons and content.

If you're serious about web design, you'll want to stay away from WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editors, and stick with a basic code editor, such as Notepad++, for much more flexibility.

Resources:

[-]http://w3schools.com[/-] has, probably, the largest online collection of markup and programming language guides and resources, teaching languages from HTML, to AJAX, to SQL, SVG and DTD. They're not quite as easy to follow as the ones at the below site, but teach you to do much more advanced things.

http://codecademy.com offers some easy to follow interactive html tutorials, as well as a huge amount of Javascript ones. The Javascript ones are very enjoyable, and, while they may not help you out immediately, they'll show you how to add some extra functionality to web pages later on, as well as introduce you to markup languages in general.

[Jakobb]

HTML and Java before you do anything else. (both simple and alike)
Its like trying to learn geometry when you can't even add.

[Mind Blank]

HTML and Java before you do anything else. (both simple and alike)
Its like trying to learn geometry when you can't even add.

I hope you meant Javascript, not Java. I'm not too coherent with Java, but it's definitely up there with C++. Not something you want to start off with, and not at all relevant to web design.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Java_and_C%2B%2B#Syntax

Sorry for being picky! ^.^

[TheMatrix]

http://w3schools.com has, probably, the largest online collection of markup and programming language guides and resources, teaching languages from HTML, to AJAX, to SQL, SVG and DTD. They're not quite as easy to follow as the ones at the below site, but teach you to do much more advanced things.
w3schools is actually not a good site to go to. Much (http://www.istvan-antal.ro/2011/01/what-they-dont-teach-you-in-w3school-javascript-variable-scoping/) of (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8052158/alternative-to-w3schools-mozilla-developer-network) its content is wrong, as well as many other issues (http://w3fools.com/).
Did you know that the W3C does not endorse w3Schools, and has asked them to make that fact clearer before? They refused.

HTML and Java before you do anything else. (both simple and alike)
Its like trying to learn geometry when you can't even add.
No, not Java. Or JavaScript, for that matter. First HTML and basic CSS. You won't get anywhere without that.
Only move on to dynamic content once you're sure you've mastered static.

[Mind Blank]

w3schools is actually not a good site to go to. Much (http://www.istvan-antal.ro/2011/01/what-they-dont-teach-you-in-w3school-javascript-variable-scoping/) of (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8052158/alternative-to-w3schools-mozilla-developer-network) its content is wrong, as well as many other issues (http://w3fools.com/).
Did you know that the W3C does not endorse w3Schools, and has asked them to make that fact clearer before? They refused.


No, not Java. Or JavaScript, for that matter. First HTML and basic CSS. You won't get anywhere without that.
Only move on to dynamic content once you're sure you've mastered static.
I just read the entirety of that W3Fools page, and I have to say, it turned me into an anti-w3schools person. I can't believe how many mistakes I never noticed! I'm glad I didn't start out using it, or I'd have been misled for a long time. I thank you, good sir.