[Slinky]

Hi

I have been learning x/html and css for 9 months now and thought it was time i started to learn other things.

I have had a quick look at javascript and php on w3schools and they look very complicated.

As a wannabe website designer, is it imperative to learn client and server side scripting languages such as javascript & php?? Or maybe have a limited knowledge for contact forms etc?

Your thoughts are very welcome!

Cheers

Slinky

[dt17]

Personally, I think it's extremely worthwhile learning things such as PHP and Javascript. As you said, for things like form handling/processing, Javascript and PHP are vital (validation etc.)

You can download a huge array of free scripts, but it always helps to know what you are looking at to customize scripts to do exactly what you want.

It will most likely be rare that you would have to develop your own script from scratch because the huge amount of free code online, but like I said, to really take advantage of them and be able to customize them, I would recommend learning PHP and/or Javascript.

I am a PHP fan, having experienced using JSP (Java Server Pages) and ASP.NET so I might be biased, but I considered PHP easiest to learn.

Darren

[minucocat]

I think javascript is a must. Try some examples on your html. start from show a popup message that kind of thing.

I like PHP too, it's lightweight and free.


But set up PHP , mysql and apache may take you while.

[sunwukung]

I disagree with minucoat.
Learn PHP FIRST- if you check the job boards, most web dev roles require this by default - whereas JS is less prevalent (though still highly important). PHP can't be disabled in the browser, and it allows you to get right into the meat and bones of what your site serves up. Without it, you'll also struggle to rock up with AJAX at a later date.

You can get away with utilising jQuery and it's plugin suite for most of your JS needs in the short term - not that I'm advocating this, but it'll tide you over while you learn server-side. Long term, I'd recommend you learn vanilla JS (i.e: no library, just Javascript) and then maybe check out a library once you've got some basic DOM manipulating and event handling under your belt.

It's a bit of a slog, but just get your head down, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you'll get there. As a word of encouragement, I started learning HTML last March/April - and now I've got JS/PHP/MySQL/jQuery on my CV, and I work as a full time developer!

Living the dream (which strangely seems to consist of a LOT of form validation...)

[Peanuts]

After searching for jobs the past few weeks, I've found that the in-thing with recruiters at the moment is knowledge of jQuery JavaScript. I've done a little jQuery and Script.aculo.us to enhance my sites and every recruitment agent who has called me has asked me about my experience with jQuery.

Just a word of advice: Don't make your site's essential functions rely wholly on JavaScript, I read somewhere that doing that alienates 10% of users.

Last week I had a client explicitly insist that he wanted jQuery to load his site upon start-up with some fancy effects. Of course, without JavaScript enabled, users wouldn't be able to view it. But the same goes for Facebook and look at them!

[minucocat]

sunwukung, on Jun 1 2009, 17:02, said:

I disagree with minucoat.
Learn PHP FIRST- if you check the job boards, most web dev roles require this by default - whereas JS is less prevalent (though still highly important). PHP can't be disabled in the browser, and it allows you to get right into the meat and bones of what your site serves up. Without it, you'll also struggle to rock up with AJAX at a later date.

You can get away with utilising jQuery and it's plugin suite for most of your JS needs in the short term - not that I'm advocating this, but it'll tide you over while you learn server-side. Long term, I'd recommend you learn vanilla JS (i.e: no library, just Javascript) and then maybe check out a library once you've got some basic DOM manipulating and event handling under your belt.

It's a bit of a slog, but just get your head down, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you'll get there. As a word of encouragement, I started learning HTML last March/April - and now I've got JS/PHP/MySQL/jQuery on my CV, and I work as a full time developer!

Living the dream (which strangely seems to consist of a LOT of form validation...)

Well, I think javascript is much easier to learn than PHP, and that's why I suggest to start with. As you got a lots for library you can use like JQuerys, mootools. You can use html and javascript to bulid a simple website and make a lots nice animation without flash.

Of course, PHP is imprtant. PHP and MySQL with javascript you can do almost everything.

By the way, i think javascript is front end script, but PHP is server side script language, which usually require database connection. They are not alternative to each other.

Clearly, I think sunwukung is developer not a designer, if I am right.

I am making my suggestion from the designer point of view.

[ZigPress]

You have a decision to make - to be a designer, a developer, or a develosigner LOL...

If you are aiming for the kind of career where you do the pretty stuff and let programmers do the backend, go for JavaScript before PHP (and get an understanding of "straight" JavaScript before adding library-based sex appeal such as jQuery).

If you want to be self-employed and be able to do everything for your clients, go for PHP & MySQL first.

[terydinho]

I currently work for an advertising agency as a web designer and developer and I have to say that a solid knowledge of PHP is so essential. I am still on an upward learning curve, but it has been so imperative for me.

Jquery/JS is also very important from a design point of view, it allows for a lot of lovely effects and will certainly wow potential employers.

What are you planning on doing career wise? As Andy said... designer, a developer, or a develosigner? and will it be freelance / own company or working for an agency?

All of these are very important in your decision making

[dt17]

@Zigpress ... Welcome to my signature! haha

[terydinho]

dt17, on Jun 3 2009, 15:30, said:

@Zigpress ... Welcome to my signature! haha

LMAO

[ZigPress]

Hehe