What should I be learning - in which order?

A

aaronjunited

Member
Hello there, im kinda new to web design, I have done some html css before.

At the minute im reading and enjoying Head first- HTML with CSS and XHTML.
I'm aware that HTML5 & CSS3 is now the main coding, but what im not aware of is how different these actually are from the old coding.

Should i be learning the old stuff first of all then move on to HTML5 & CSS3?

Can anyone really explain what the difference really is and whether or not there is a whole new complex learning curve when it comes to learning HTML5 & CSS3?

I plan to learn it anyway, but need some reassurance on planning ahead. I'll also be learning javascript along with jQuery.

Please can someone help me out and get my head straight on what i should be doing to get myself on track to becoming a web designer.

Thanks
Aaron.
 
ronaldroe

ronaldroe

Super Moderator
Staff member
The difference between HTML4/XHTML and HTML5 is the elements available. With exception of video, audio and canvas, though, it's pretty similar. CSS3 basically builds on CSS2.1 with new effects and ways to select elements.

For HTML, you may as well just learn HTML5. You won't miss anything by just skipping ahead to it. For CSS, it depends on how it's being taught. If it's jumping straight into transitions, gradients or box-shadow, you're better off getting a solid grasp of CSS2 first. But, if whatever source you're learning from is teaching CSS3 the same way you'd learn 2, then go that way.

After that, go into JavaScript and jQuery if you like. jQuery isn't entirely necessary as there are a number of other good libraries out there, but many people, including me, find JS a bit easier to grasp through jQuery.

Then, it's time to go server-side. There are several languages to go to, but PHP is probably the most prevalent. There's also ASP, ASP.net, Ruby, Python, yada yada yada.
 
A

aaronjunited

Member
Thanks for the quick reply dude, appreciated.

I love learning from books, which have examples and exercises in them to get you used to learning the languages. I cant find any decent books on learning html5 or css3, or css2.

css is what im learning at the minute. I hope that it isn't a big jump in terms of completely new complex coding when it comes to learning css3.

Will i be ok jumping from css to css3?

Also will a html5 book go over all the html basics but with the added new stuff html5 has?
 
ronaldroe

ronaldroe

Super Moderator
Staff member
aaronjunited said:
css is what im learning at the minute. I hope that it isn't a big jump in terms of completely new complex coding when it comes to learning css3.

Will i be ok jumping from css to css3?
Click to expand...

There is no change in how CSS is written. CSS3 just adds new style attributes and some higher level selectors, pseudo classes and pseudo elements.
Once you get to the more advanced CSS2 stuff, you'll probably already know what I'm talking about.

aaronjunited said:
Also will a html5 book go over all the html basics but with the added new stuff html5 has?
Click to expand...

I can't really speak to that. I didn't learn from books (for the most part anyway), and I started before HTML5 was even a thought. All I can say is that they should. Or even better, any book worth your money will. Worst case scenario, learn XHTML and then just go to w3.org and see how HTML5 is different. SPOILER ALERT: It's not as different as people let on.
 
A

aaronjunited

Member
thanks again.

So what your saying is css3 will just have the new styles and attributes but also the old stuff included?

Thanks again.
 
A

aaronjunited

Member
makes it more clearer to me now. Just wanted to make sure im on the right track in terms of learning what i need too, and what's involved in the new stuff.

Regarding jQuery - do you not have to understand the basics and have a good understanding of javascript before learning jQuery?
 
A

aaronjunited

Member
what do they include? What do they offer? what will i be learning? lol sorry for the questions one after the other.

Have you used them?
 
Phreaddee

Phreaddee

Super Moderator
Staff member
I'm still waiting on mine to come in the mail so I cant tell you specifics.

I've read some good reviews. and I always enjoy the content on their website.
 
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