Programming Advice (experienced programmers only)

[ValleyBoy]

I'm new around here and was looking for some advice on the best learning methodology to master programming. I would appreciate if some of the experienced developers could chime in on how they learnt programming and how to overcome imposter syndrome.

I have just picked up Head First HTML CSS since it is somewhat practical but if there is any insight on how i could expatiate my learning I'm all ears.

I joined this forum to maybe find a mentor, someone who can steer me in the right direction.

 

[Ken g6]

First, HTML isn't programming. It's just formatted data. It's debatable whether CSS is programming - you can sort of use it that way but it's not really designed for that. The main HTML and CSS-affiliated programming language is JavaScript, with all sorts of libraries, and even Node.JS for the backend. Though you can use Python or PHP or any of several other languages for the backend instead.

If you want to know how I learned CSS it started when this forum changed formatting (many years ago, but kinda like now) and I used the Stylus browser extension and CSS to make it look the way it did before.

But many things have changed since I started. AI kills at this stuff. (Funny comic link) And/or AI kills jobs. I just can't stand to use LLMs, so I can't help with the current job market.

But here's one more funny comic on a site I think you might find useful for learning CSS.

 

[ValleyBoy]

Thanks for sharing.

Do you suggest just going right ahead and learning and actual programming language say PHP or Python than spending time on HTML and CSS? I thought they were foundational especially if i wanted to break into full-stack roles?

Also, i wanted to ask if there was a chance you could mentor me, maybe if i could check in with you weekly or once every few days. @Ken g6

 

[Ken g6]

Ah, your goal is full-stack work. You most likely want to learn React(.js) on Node(.js) using Claude Code. I wouldn't be a good mentor because I have no real experience with any of the common modern technologies.

As far as the other things I mentioned, Python/Django is OK if you really like Python. Don't learn PHP unless you want to specialize as a Wordpress developer, which you probably don't.

Back to HTML: Yeah, learn the basics, though these days you can use CSS and JavaScript to make a new element with a random name do almost anything. You'll need CSS, including stuff like Flexbox I never could get my head around, and you'll likely want to learn a library like Bootstrap. You'll need to learn SQL because you'll use it frequently; though you don't necessarily need to be a database administrator, also knowing the basics for MariaDB or SQLite or something doesn't hurt. If you really want to be full-stack, also learn user interface design (Here's a book I was pointed at), and graphic design - I'm really no good at that.