There are many ways to learn the processes involved in web development. The large number of apps, programming languages, and protocols may be overwhelming at first. However, the good news is that an aspiring web developer can learn these concepts with a bit of effort. The trick is to tackle each coding language one at a time. As you gain familiarity with web development tools, you will realize that creating web pages is not as difficult as it initially seems.
What are the Best Programming Languages to Learn for Web Development?
The easiest way to get into web development is to dive into one of the many coding languages that can be used to create web content. Of course, the list of programming languages you could learn continues to grow. To make your search easier, the following languages are a suitable place for any aspiring web developer to start.
HTML5
This modern set of web technologies is a logical point to begin. HTML5 is the fifth iteration of the popular web protocol. Much like a software application, the five indicates a major update with many new features. The quality-of-life improvements will make learning HTML5 easier. HTML is used to facilitate most of the basic functions of your web browser. Learning this language will give you a basic understanding of how browsers and web pages interact. You will also be able to temporarily alter the websites you visit on a browser by opening the command prompt. Here you can see how changes to the HTML works by temporarily editing many elements that exist on a page.
CSS3
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) protocol is used to format and organize web page content. CSS3 is the latest version in a line of CSS releases. CSS3 is broken down into different modules. Each module allows for unique functionality and is upgraded with each new version of the protocol. Some examples of modules include animation, backgrounds, selectors, transitions, bx models, and text effects. Each of these elements dictate how a website looks and feels to the average user. This makes it a crucial tool for any web developer to study.
JavaScript
Easily the most common programming language is JavaScript. Even non-programmers have heard of this versatile code base. At its core, JavaScript allows web developers to add more dynamic content to each page. The options start off similar to CSS3 and HTML5, but the emphasis is on content that updates in real time. JavaScript allows you to host video playback, update stat trackers, and powers all the robust animations you see on today’s Internet. If you wish to compete with modern standards, then you will need the flair that JavaScript functions provide.
Object-Oriented Programming
With a few languages under your belt, you can begin to explore programming paradigms. Paradigms are a general theory or methodology you follow when coding. Having a base form of logic to fall back on is vital for when you need to fix errors and plan your next steps. Object-oriented programming is a paradigm that places data and code into a concept known as objects. Since this is the digital realm, the term object is used loosely. It is simply a way to organize the information in a logical way. The data in each object comes in the form of fields that can be filled in by programmers or users, depending on the situation. The code itself comes in the form of procedures, and these can only be edited in the backend by a programmer.
Organization is the most important part of any coding project. You will understand just how useful the object-oriented paradigm is once you have a project or two under your belt. If your team loses track of a key component of the code, substantial portions of the project may need to be rewritten. The extra time it takes to master object-oriented programming will serve you well throughout your career as a web developer.
Data Development Utilizing Database Design and SQL
Speaking of organization, databases will become useful as a web developer. If you have ever seen a large filing cabinet in an office building, then you know just how many files the average business keeps track of. Structured Query Language (SQL) is an international standard for database manipulation. In the same way you need to learn a language to code, you need SQL to effectively manage a database with thousands of entries. Data can be stored or retrieved in seconds, even with the aforementioned thousands of entries to sift through. You can see why web developers automate this process.
Programming with MySQL
Although many parts of the database workflow are automated, some advanced features demand that you do the work by hand. MySQL is the language used to create these custom workarounds. When your employer requests that two unrelated data points communicate, you can utilize MySQL to oversee these exceptions. Since every company is slightly different, you can expect to use MySQL at one point or another.
Web services with node.js, XML, and JSON
Web services can refer to many things, but the overarching concept explains how two or more devices connect over the same network. Node.js can be used to handle both the JSON and XML formats. Each format is championed by different developers and projects. Gaining familiarity with both is a fantastic way to start. Once you have an understand of both, you can choose which one to focus on moving forward. Keep in mind that you still may need to utilize both depending on your assignment. A stable network that facilitates communication across all devices is quickly becoming the new standard.
How Long is a Formal Web Development Education Program?
A full-time web development student can graduate in as little as seven and a half months. The expedient turnaround is a great alternative to a traditional four-year college program. Plus, you will not lose out on education in this shortened program. The reason you can complete your Web Dev program so fast is because the extraneous classes you take at a traditional 4-year college are not necessary. You can bypass the electives and get straight into the relevant information you desire.
What Jobs Can You Get with a Diploma in Web Application Design and Development?
Before getting your diploma, you may wish to know what jobs you can reasonably apply for after graduation. There are three main positions where graduates enjoy a high rate of success. You may wish to pursue freelance work or design your own website for self-employment. That is the remarkable thing about an education in web development. It opens many doors for you to explore.
Entry-Level Web Designer
Web designers use a mix of creativity and technical ability to generate fresh website ideas. In addition to building the website itself, you will also determine which colors, fonts, and images make the most impact on the end user. Your employer will ask you to invoke a particular emotion or response from each visitor. You then have some creative flexibility in how you wish to accomplish the desired effect. There is an element of marketing that goes into this role. For instance, knowing which colors improve the odds of a conversion taking place. There are many tricks that you will pick up throughout your education and career. As you gain experience, you will know exactly how to direct large volumes of traffic to any web page.
Junior Level Web Developer
Web development is similar to design, though the emphasis is on privatized business use. You will still be responsible for creating and maintaining websites. However, these websites and applications are used internally by employees and administrators. So, there is less emphasis on graphic design and attractiveness. It requires dense coding and less room to be creative. The expected level of professionalism is higher than in a design role. While consistent communication with other team members and executives is mandatory. However, the serious nature of the role has its upside. You can be rewarded with upward mobility and more opportunities.
Webmaster
A webmaster is tasked with maintaining the server and web pages of a modest company. Typically, small business owners will hire you, and because they go beyond simply making the site attractive and responsive. Also, security is a large component of any online business. Even the smallest operations must store sensitive confidential information about their clients. Data breaches that result in identity theft are common on small business websites. The lack of targets often translates to a lack of protection. A great webmaster will keep the clients safe from malicious online attacks.
As a webmaster, you will either be asked to build a website from scratch or carry on where another developer left off. In either case, the goal will be to optimize the performance of each page. Search Engine Optimization is the process by which you attract more visitors to your employer’s website. Once the customers arrive, you ensure that each user has a friendly experience. Creating intuitive layouts and improving response time is important for conversion.
Final Thoughts
Web development is an excellent career choice. You have many paths to take, and you can work up the job ladder if you choose. Once you have a solid foundation in coding and logic, you can transition into any other part of the field. Building websites and online applications involves a similar process. The growth of web development positions is expected to increase for the foreseeable future. The rise of online culture has given web development evergreen status. So, take the first step toward a rewarding career in programming and become a web developer today.
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