Basics of programming and coding/webdesign

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ttcycle

Cycling Excusiast
OK, just a quick thread post.

Trying to learn a new skill - wanting pointers in the right direction for programming and coding and web design.

Can anyone recommend a good place to start that isn't a formal course as I haven't got the funds for that at the moment.

I haven't got a solid plan as to how I want to develop this but was thinking of software for creative uses and obviously web pages - trying to arm myself with and arsenal of skills before becoming fully self employed- the creative side may be tricky to entirely make a sustainable living in so wanted some tech skills to offset this a bit. I understand that the IT market has fallen a fair amount since it's heyday but I'm wanting to be able to code/programme (hopefully in several types of code) to be able to find a niche to help with income.

I abandoned computers as a kid for some personal reasons but think there's certain aspects now I'd like to learn.

I understand this is a vague post with no solid outcome as such but just wanting some ideas as to where to start.

Thanks!
 
OK, just a quick thread post.

Trying to learn a new skill - wanting pointers in the right direction for programming and coding and web design.

Can anyone recommend a good place to start that isn't a formal course as I haven't got the funds for that at the moment.

I haven't got a solid plan as to how I want to develop this but was thinking of software for creative uses and obviously web pages - trying to arm myself with and arsenal of skills before becoming fully self employed- the creative side may be tricky to entirely make a sustainable living in so wanted some tech skills to offset this a bit. I understand that the IT market has fallen a fair amount since it's heyday but I'm wanting to be able to code/programme (hopefully in several types of code) to be able to find a niche to help with income.

I abandoned computers as a kid for some personal reasons but think there's certain aspects now I'd like to learn.

I understand this is a vague post with no solid outcome as such but just wanting some ideas as to where to start.

Thanks!

For web design, what I did a bunch of years back was to buy a quite thick and detailed book that took you through building an example site. Out of print now (and out of date in terms of web technology) but this is still a good principle. You'll want a book that covers CSS and XHTML and which adheres to web standards. Once you've built that site, you could either do the same again - different book, different site - or try experimenting with your own simple site ideas and take the "how do I do that?" approach to extending your knowedge and adding functionality. The internet is a great resource for answers to questions.

YHPM!
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
I would suggest playing about with WordPress. Using the right 'theme' you can create a very nice looking website which doesn't have to look anything like a blog if you don't want it to and no programming knowlege is required. You might want to get into the 'nitty gritty' later but you can do most things without having to know HTML, CSS etc.

The WP software is available free from WordPress.org and you can get hold of loads of free themes and plugins for it to customise it to your liking. (Themes are a bit like the different 'skins' available to change the appearance of CycleChat).

You would need to buy a domain name and pay for a web hosting account. A dot com domain costs less than £10 a year and you can get decent web hosting from a few pounds a month. I use Namecheap for my domain names and Hostgator for my hosting. You could pick up some very useful skills and produce and run a good website for a year for well under £100.
 

martint235

Dog on a bike
Location
Welling
For programming/coding, you can download Microsoft Visual Studio Express for free (here). There's also a web developer package in there.

Personally, and many may disagree, I would start with C++. If you can get the basics of object orientated programming in that nailed down, you can tackle other languages like Java and Visual Basic fairly easily. A lot of people scoff at them but when you're really new to something, the "For Dummies" books aren't bad. You can get a detailed book later (I tend towards the "In A Nutshell" books. The Studio Express webpage also has useful links.
 
OP
OP
ttcycle

ttcycle

Cycling Excusiast
Hi Colin
Thanks for the feedback, im familiar with wordpress but was specifically wanting to learn the in-depth stuff such as HTML coding and scripts in terms of web design. For me, I'm trying to equip myself with more skills that will help in a professional context whether for an employer or for when I am self employed. I'm really basically trying to think laterally, a lot of stuff is pointing me in the direction if having coding skills and if I use my brain enough, I may well be able to identify a niche. Maybe not but I have time and there is no harm in trying.

Martin, is this your area mate? If so is it possible to meet and go through it a bit? I'm asking mates and eventually my family for info. A friend of mine has also mentioned C++ and I'm going to speak to her in person as well.
 

martint235

Dog on a bike
Location
Welling
Hi Colin
Thanks for the feedback, im familiar with wordpress but was specifically wanting to learn the in-depth stuff such as HTML coding and scripts in terms of web design. For me, I'm trying to equip myself with more skills that will help in a professional context whether for an employer or for when I am self employed. I'm really basically trying to think laterally, a lot of stuff is pointing me in the direction if having coding skills and if I use my brain enough, I may well be able to identify a niche. Maybe not but I have time and there is no harm in trying.

Martin, is this your area mate? If so is it possible to meet and go through it a bit? I'm asking mates and eventually my family for info. A friend of mine has also mentioned C++ and I'm going to speak to her in person as well.

Grace, happy to chat but I'd add the caveat that at best I'm out of touch. I spent 20 years in IT but it's about 10 since I was a visual basic programmer (for a couple of years working on databases). I still understand the principles of object orientated design and rapid application development and I can probably still do VB. However, I've been meaning to take up C++ for a couple of years (I have Visual Studio Express installed) but I never seem to get round to it :rolleyes:
 

ColinJ

Puzzle game procrastinator!
Okay, well I wouldn't aim to get into writing software for somebody else or developing somebody else's websites.

You know the old saying - "You don't get rich digging somebody else's ditch!", but you do have to jump when they tell you, and will be fired when they no longer need you.

I found being a programmer really stressful - fixing other people's coding cock-ups, being faced with hopelessly optimistic deadlines, and watertight specs which still somehow mutated at the very last minute!

Working for yourself though, that's a different thing. If you could come up with a great idea and develop and market it yourself, you could do pretty well for yourself.

But do you need to do the coding yourself? You can always get other people to write software or develop websites for you.

I tell you one thing though - having seen what happened with Facebook, I'd be reluctant to give one programmer all the details of any good idea of mine - I'd split it into separate sub-projects and not let any one person see the big picture!
 

marinyork

Resting in suspended Animation
Location
Logopolis
It depends how your mind works. I'd recommend Schaum's outline of...

If you want to know how everything works I'd recommend a book on paradigms, but that's a lot more time consuming and wonder why on earth can't I get on with learning practical stuff. It'll pay off in the long run though.
 

HelenD123

Legendary Member
Location
York
Thanks Beanz

A mate of mine has just told me about this web design tutorial place

http://www.w3schools.com/

Useful for others who are interested!

Thanks TT. That site looks great. I've just applied for a job which includes a tiny bit of web page creation. I did a course many many years ago but have forgotten it all. Time to brush up!

Good luck with your own training.
 

Bman

Guru
Location
Herts.
:smile:
 

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ttcycle

ttcycle

Cycling Excusiast
Colin, for me the plan is to be my own boss! What you describe about programming sound like what I experience in the photography world- however there is a way for that to work creatively.

Martin up for a chat as talking as well as doing pratically is how I learn best.

MY- I know what you're getting at! I have time but that's not a bottomless resource. I would want to logically know why one situation arises from another but am prepared to sacrifice in depth root/ontological knowledge for practical coding skills!
 
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