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Whats the best way to create a website?

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I have absolutely no idea how to start...

I know Java, I know the basics of JavaScript, im pretty sure HTML and CSS wont be tough to pick up.

But like what do I actually do to make a website... its something I can do in netbeans right? Im not looking to make a blog or anything where its basically already made for me, im looking to make something from scratch.
 
At its simplest you can just use a text editor and hand write your HTML, CSS and JS. You can use your web browser to navigate to a site located on your local hard drive to view your work as you write the code.

If you're talking about a dynamic website there's a lot more to consider than just the 'best' because 'best' is going to defined by the objectives of the website.

In general you will use a scripting language combined with some sort of web framework to build a content rich and dynamic website.

That's usually something like

Javascript + Node.js
Ruby + Rails/Sinatra/Rack
Python + Django
 
Content rich and dynamic website sounds like what im going for.

Hmm so node.js is for creating the backend right? Front end is HTML + CSS + JavaScript?

Any thoughts about Java EE for a backend?
 
Hmm so node.js is for creating the backend right? Front end is HTML + CSS + JavaScript?

Yes, but the back-end might be apache, or nginx, or just a flask server. There are a lot of options for where you draw the line between client and server. Our latest app is built on angular, so the only page we serve is the first one, and everything else happens in javascript on the client, with data coming from nginx using a simple python service API.
 
i'd recommend looking into jquery and bootstrap, and if you are making more of a webapp, angularjs.

i use intellij at work for my ide and love it. but if i wasn't using a groovy backend, and was just using node and was all javascript, i'd maybe use sublime text 2. intellij is awesome though.

nothing wrong with a java backend too.

EDIT:

you can even use angular if you are making a more light-weight page because it's just so simple to generate dynamic content with angular.

and "making a blog" is probably a very good way to start learning how things work. just make it from scratch.
 
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im pretty sure HTML and CSS wont be tough to pick up.

Theoretically you are right but if you are also design the web page, be prepared to spent at least half the time on the design. Getting it right isn't easy at all and especially not if you intend on targeting multiple browsers.

I advice against any of those new hipster technologies like Angular and node unless this is a pure hobby/fun project. If it's a commercial one go with something more proven.

Also were will it be hosted and what is the budget? If hosting needs to be cheap there is pretty much no way around php (albeit I void suggest to avoid it).
 
I'm a fan of a Java backend. Yeah, Java is a bit boilerplate sometimes, but the rich libraries make it super powerful. Python may very well be the same, but I haven't gotten into Python too much. I suspect you won't find such a rich library support for javascript, ruby, php, etc.
 
Theoretically you are right but if you are also design the web page, be prepared to spent at least half the time on the design. Getting it right isn't easy at all and especially not if you intend on targeting multiple browsers.

I advice against any of those new hipster technologies like Angular and node unless this is a pure hobby/fun project. If it's a commercial one go with something more proven.

Also were will it be hosted and what is the budget? If hosting needs to be cheap there is pretty much no way around php (albeit I void suggest to avoid it).

Its a potential uni project im thinking of doing. I need something challenging but not something insurmountable. I think a website of some sort might fit the bill.

Itll be hosted on my home server, the budget is 0 😀
 
Theoretically you are right but if you are also design the web page, be prepared to spent at least half the time on the design. Getting it right isn't easy at all and especially not if you intend on targeting multiple browsers.

I advice against any of those new hipster technologies like Angular and node unless this is a pure hobby/fun project. If it's a commercial one go with something more proven.


Also were will it be hosted and what is the budget? If hosting needs to be cheap there is pretty much no way around php (albeit I void suggest to avoid it).

based on the bolded, i'd be skeptical to take any of this guys advice.
 
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based on the bolded, i'd be skeptical to take any of this guys advice.

I don't think beginner was suggesting a contradiction, i.e. "getting it right isn't easy so don't use a framework." My reading of the comment is: getting it right isn't easy, and don't choose one of the fad frameworks because they will cause you trouble."

Not a lot to argue with. We just built a site on angular and it has its good and bad points. And there are some pretty significant changes coming in the next version.

So if what beginner meant was to go with a more proven framework like bootstrap that might not be bad advice.
 
I don't think beginner was suggesting a contradiction, i.e. "getting it right isn't easy so don't use a framework." My reading of the comment is: getting it right isn't easy, and don't choose one of the fad frameworks because they will cause you trouble."

Not a lot to argue with. We just built a site on angular and it has its good and bad points. And there are some pretty significant changes coming in the next version.

So if what beginner meant was to go with a more proven framework like bootstrap that might not be bad advice.

getting the frameworks (at least angularjs) to work prpoerly are really browser independent for the most part.

and things like bootstrap (as you mention) make getting things for multiple browsers A LOT easier than it was years back.

i'd throw bootstrap in there with the "fad/hipster" frameworks too, if you want to call it a framework. more like just a library, but still hits the "fad/hipster" mentality IMO.

basically ... use what works to get the job done. there is absolutely no reason to re-invent the wheel.

EDIT:

and what i'm saying also, is to dismiss something because its "hipster/fad" is bad advice imo. anything that is newer is going to be considered a fad in it's early stages.
 
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getting the frameworks (at least angularjs) to work prpoerly are really browser independent for the most part.

and things like bootstrap (as you mention) make getting things for multiple browsers A LOT easier than it was years back.

i'd throw bootstrap in there with the "fad/hipster" frameworks too, if you want to call it a framework. more like just a library, but still hits the "fad/hipster" mentality IMO.

basically ... use what works to get the job done. there is absolutely no reason to re-invent the wheel.

EDIT:

and what i'm saying also, is to dismiss something because its "hipster/fad" is bad advice imo. anything that is newer is going to be considered a fad in it's early stages.

Well since it's a educational project I advise OP should use whatever technology he always wanted to learn and did not get to until now. It's not a commercial product so no need for scalability and he isn't accountable.

The reason to avoid angular is exactly because of the coming update and no, support for only another couple years isn't good enough. It basically means an application has to be partially rewritten at that point for little to no benefit. And learning the old API now also doesn't make much sense.

Just read around and use you common-sense. New stuff will always have more issues and it's the early adopters that have to deal with them and work around them. For a commercial, reliable software use proven albeit maybe boring technology.

Why would you want to code your whole application is JavaScript? It's IMHO just a terrible idea. Why would you prefer NoSQL like MongoDB over mature RDBMS like postgresql especially if you value your data?
 
I would recommend starting with Bootstrap. If you grab Visual Studio Express (or 2013 Community) and use its template for an SPA, I'm pretty sure it's Bootstrapped out of the box. You'll get a modern-looking site right out of the gate, and from there you can start experimenting with Knockout or Angular (I recommend Angular).

There's going to be a learning curve, but since you already have a JS foundation, you should be fine.
 
Thread locked after being necroed by spammer -- Programming Moderator Ken g6
 
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