becoming a developer
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- wyatt0
in response to how long php takes to learn: i went from no knowledge to building a full working database driven program (something to manage a tour page on a band site, this was a few years ago) in about 8 hours one sunday afternoon. I started off with some simple online tutorial that just went over the basic syntax - wish i remembered the address.
I was still fumbling around for the next three projects or so after that, but there are so many resources online that its really easy to just start doing it. Then if you want to move into actionscript you can have php run the backend and send xml into flash.
- unfittoprint0
enjoy seeing your code library grow day by day, more complex and powerful with each new project.
work for yourself and use your new found exprerience in your professional practice.
patterns exist anywhere. complexity can be, in most cases, reduced to singular expression[s], boolean or otherwise.
- heavyt0
1. What's the difference between a variable and a object?
--- well, an object can have many complex properties and a variable usually just holds a string, or an array. It could also referenec an object.
2. Is actionscripting really a programming or scripting language?
---AS is both scripting and programming. I think that scripting languages are a subset of programming.
3. Is php a programming or scripting language?
--PHP 4- is a procedural language, PHP5 is an OOP language.
4. Where's the easiest php tutorial link to learn the basics?
---not sure. I like books.
- spaceboy0
How long does it take to learn the basics of php? I'm a pretty fast learner.
While we're at it, here's a few more questions :)
1. What's the difference between a variable and a object?
2. Is actionscripting really a programming or scripting language?
3. Is php a programming or scripting language?
4. Where's the easiest php tutorial link to learn the basics?
- rikcat0
I just started to lean PHP/Mysq. Being a designer for the last 5 years it's a differnt animal, but if you have smarts you'll ewonder wht you didn't do it before.
Ihad my co buy me these videos.
http://movielibrary.lynda.com/ht…
goodluck
- trez0
in 2006, a thread about web development without a mention of 'Ruby on Rails' is an obsolete thread.
in 2005 it already was
- nosaj0
Not that I have any real programming skills, but knowing Lingo got me and kept my 1st job... Good ol Director 6. Times where simplier when things went out on CD Rom.
- IRNlun60
just want to say thanks for the help all... have a great new years!!!
- tomkat0
it just needs to click at some point to get the whole programming logic.
for me it was lingo, the director's prog language
- cosmo0
Always good idea to know the basics of programming first. loops, variables types, functions, class, how includes work, different function built in the specific programming languages, etc. Then comes database stuff.
PHP is a great language to learn as heavyt mentioned.
- heavyt0
There are certain concepts that are universal to all languages such as loops, variables and functions.
Those are used in actionscript, java, php, javascript, asp, etc...c# .net is a little more complicated. First, there is this big MS IDE to learn in order to code. Then, it is also an object oriented language, so you have to learn OOP.
I think that PHP is probably the best way to go because there is a lot of good documentation online and you can use any IDE that you want.
also, it allows you to learn about databases too.
TR1
- ldww0
you should look into php/mysql.
i did not even know what it was 2 years ago and now thats all i do for work. its really easy to pick up.
i was lucky enough to have had a job as a designer working until a developer and he kinda forced it upon me, so i learned it in a real world environment. i think it makes the difference rather then in a class room. (but by all means classes are a great way to be introduced in it).
- spiralstarez0
If you want to become a developer, you should atleast be learning the bare-bones of SQL and making database queries.
Flash actionscripting is cool, but for what you say you want to accomplish not the best choice. You'll want something you can add, modify, delete, and update content with - hence a database.
You can learn flash with XML for that purpose, but you'd still probably want server side skills to edit the XML file, plus XML is not great if you are doing a big site.
I'm learning ruby on rails - http://www.rubyonrails.com
which I find valuable but challenging. There is great support in the online community for learning it though.
- IRNlun60
oh, and definetly lack in complex actionscripting...
- IRNlun60
Maybe I'm taking the wrong approach and looking to learn a language that there is alot of demand for. The developers at the company I'm currently working at do ASP.NET. I have strongly considered taking some courses in that but also love what's being done with flash & actionscripting... There is just so much to learn but ideally I would like to work with a designer, a content developer and basically take care of the rest myself. The one thing I find I'm lacking in is any kind of complex server side functions and working with data bases...
- spiralstarez0
I'm in the same boat, but maybe a little bit ahead.
I think you can learn it on your own, but it wouldn't hurt even to take a part-time course to learn some stuff - I've thought about it.
The most important thing is to have an environment where you can ask people things you don't know how to do. Those can be developers you already know, or forums, message boards, and mailing lists.
What language/platform are you looking to develop in?
- JamesEStone0
I worked with someone to do a very basic php backend system... and then when I needed extra functionality... I started tweaking stuff... then before long you just suddenly 'GET IT' ... if that makes sense?
I also got them to make their output marry up with the stuff I was
- IRNlun6
Hi all,
I started as a graphic designer, moved onto front end work but would really like become a developer to be able to built applications and whatnot... Anybody have any tips on how they got started? Is it the norm to have your employer pay for your training or did most of you take courses, learn on your own, etc...? I always see really excellent work coming from many of you here so help me out and let me know how you all got started. I really want to learn to do this well and recognize that it will take alot of time and training. Thanks all...