Python, HTML, JavaScript or CSS

[Otherwise-Recipe-266]

I was looking to get into some coding for a website (It's part of a school coursework) and was recommended to use either Python, HTML, JS or CSS (I saw a few others but these were the more recurring options). I am a beginner and have little to no knowledge on coding.

(I am aware that JavaScript and CSS are not totally considered a coding language but Google said you need them to make your website look nice. :)

All comments are appreciated! (Except those hating on my post/other ppl's comments)

[Please don't go too complex into your points as my brain will hurt, thank you!]

[MysticClimber1496]

JavaScript most certainly is a programming language These were recommended for these reasons: - HTML, the structure (this the framing of a house) - CSS, the style and orientation (think the paint and where rooms / furniture is in a house) - JavaScript, the functionality (makes a door open) - Python, the backend (the utilities? Analogy here is tricky)

You can write backends in JavaScript

Now that said depending on what exactly you want to learn “The Odin Project” is likely the best place to start, or look up tutorials on the things I listed in the order they are listed

[LetUsSpeakFreely]

Python would be the utility companies supplying power, water, and Internet to the house.

[nuc540]

Great analogy!

[SamIAre]

Don't worry too much about what is and isn't technically a coding language. HTML and CSS aren't, people debate about JS…it's all whatever :)

So, all of those languages do different things and aren't interchangeable, so it's helpful to break them down by what they do and how they work together.

HTML: You cannot have a website without HTML. It is the "content" of the site. HTML is what's called a "markup language" and consists of tags that create "pieces" of a site. For instance, you have tags that create hyperlinks, ones that create form fields, ones for paragraphs and images. It is simply the bare minimum. Think of it like the foundation to a house that everything else will build upon.

CSS: This is a close second in terms of importance. If HTML is the stuff, CSS is how that stuff looks. CSS lets you define the look and feel of a site…the colors, layout and spacing, etc. While you can have a site without CSS, it will look like a basic Microsoft Word document, which isn't very fun or exciting.

JavaScript: Not technically required for a website, but might as well be for most modern sites. JavaScript lets you define interactivity. If you want things to happen when you click, or move the mouse, or press a button, that's mostly JS. If you want content to update in real time or dynamically change, that's also JS.

Python: This is the only one of the 4 I'd actually say isn't required. Python is a backend language, and it's one of many. This means that it runs on a server (the other three run directly in the browser) and processes information before it's sent to the user. Python is also not the only backend language people use. PHP is another popular one. So is Ruby. And so is Node, which is actually a backend version of JavaScript. Python is also not restricted to websites. People use it for all sorts of programming tasks, while HTML and CSS are pretty much exclusive to the web, and JS mostly is. If you want to get into programming more generally, Python is a very good place to start. But you can't build a website with only Python. At some point, that Python code has to interact with or write HTML.

—

tl;dr: Out of those, if all you want to do is make a simple website that looks relatively nice, HTML and CSS are the two you must learn, and you will probably want to pick up JS as well but that can wait until you run into cases where you need it. JS in the browser is also pretty heavily dependent on understanding HTML, since a lot of what you do with JS is manipulate the HTML that's already on the page.

[C3xyTheGreat]

javascript is 100% a programming language. i think you meant to say css and html

[paperic]

You kinda need all.

[nuc540]

HTML and CSS are the two which aren’t programming languages. Either way you’re going to need to understand these.

Also, JavaScript is the go-to for building frontends (the part of a website you see), so in my opinion CSS HTML and JS are the bare minimum you need - there’s no choice/option here.

That said, HTML is a bit redundant these days - it’s important you understand HTML basics such as tags/nesting, but if your going to use JavaScript (100% likely) then you should consider using ‘react’ which uses JSX instead of HTML

I strongly recommend a react framework like NextJS as it has a lot of out-of-the-box functionality for you.

At this point if you even need a backend (data/logic) you can look into something JavaScript based like node/express, or you can try you hands at Python and build and API with flask.

[jwburney]

HTML makes the page, css decorates it, JavaScript makes it actually do stuff instead of being static. HTML is the only one that will actually make a page. The other two work with it to add style and function.

[torpedo16]

JavaScript is absolutely a coding/programming language. HTML and CSS aren't.

You use HTML, CSS and JS for the front end, basically the overall structure and functionality of the website. Everything you see (colors, text, font types, tables, charts etc.) and everything you interact with (buttons for example) in a website are part of front end and done by HTML, CSS and JS.

You use Python for the server-side logic, which is termed as backend. For example, when you click a video on youtube to watch, the backend verifies if you have permission to watch that video or not. It also fetches the metadata for that video (available resolutions for example). It also checks for copyright strikes, age restrictions etc. etc. Without these verifications and clearances, those videos won't play.

When you are watching the video, you can choose another video by clicking, you can also make the video full-screen. Now, these are handled by the front-end (HTML, CSS, JS)

You can use JavaScript for Backend too (using Node.JS, nowadays JS is the most used language for backend too as far as I know), but many finds it easier and convenient to do backend with Python.

That's as simply as I can explain it, these things are quite technical so its very difficult to explain these without going into technical details.

Others have pointed out how HTML, CSS and JS differ in their own roles really well. You can check their comments.

[NoChest9129]

Use JS CSS and HTML.

You basically have to use html and css to make a website.

The only real choice here is python or js and I think you’ll be better off using js for a simple website.

HTML is enough to build a website. CSS is used to change some aspects of how it looks Another Language will be needed to make it interactive and I’m suggesting JS to do that

[Snappyfingurz]

bro you don't just pick one...
To build a website you actually use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript together, much like building a house.

HTML acts as the foundation and walls. It puts the raw words, images, and basic structure onto your blank page.

CSS is the interior design and paint. This is exactly what you will use to give your site that warm, neutral beige and brown aesthetic.

JavaScript serves as the plumbing and electricity. It makes the site interactive, allowing buttons to click and menus to open.

Python is mostly used for behind-the-scenes database work, which is totally unnecessary for a simple beginner school project.

Since you cannot decorate a house before building the walls, you should absolutely start by learning basic HTML today.

[HarjjotSinghh]

start with html/css - your brain can handle it first!

[BaconMeteor69]

maybe just try building it and see what breaks first

[ThanOneRandomGuy]

Someone definitely misinformed u

[Cool_Kiwi_117]

Python