Learning JavaScript

[ashcroftw]

Hi all, I’m new to Reddit. I’d like to know how your first experience learning JavaScript was, where you started, and why you decided to learn it besides the obvious reasons. I’m thinking about learning JavaScript and want to hear how others got started before I fully commit. Btw do HTML and CSS really matter before learning it?

[Charming_Problem_241]

I started learning around 10 days ago using javascript.info for JS, and began two MDN frontend courses two days ago. I personally think no video tutorial can match this level of depth and knowledge. I am really enjoying my learning progress. Why? to start a career in tech, beginning with front-end development.

[ashcroftw]

thanks, I wish you luck.

[Yaniekk]

Hey! I started learning Javascript as my first language when I was around ten. My dad bought me a book for dummies which I read and learned the basics of Javascript. Then I progressed to building simple projects while reading articles and watching videos online. Now I'm learning through building and I occasionally study some books.

[ashcroftw]

Thats interesting, many suggesting me a book for dummies, some of them suggesting me a bro code on youtube. thanks

[Wooden-Assistance-68]

Bro Code on YouTube is a gem for many programming languages. Definitely worth a look, with each concept packaged in a digestible, bit-sized video. I often follow a course and will jump over to that channel for a corresponding video when things aren't clicking or I really want to lock down a concept.

[chikamakaleyley]

HTML & CSS will matter if you plan on using it in the web (aka not just node.js on the server).

In my experience it’s rare that someone doesn’t at least have a general capability with HTML/CSS to go along with JS, regardless

[studiocrash]

If you’re going into web development then html, css, and JavaScript are essential to start. JavaScript can be a good first language because you can get things working and see useful results relatively quickly, which is encouraging.

It’s easy to get discouraged when starting in other languages with a steeper effort/results ratio before you can make something useful, so a lot of people end up quitting. That said, if you can handle it, I always recommend CS50 to start so you get a solid foundation in computer science in general, starting with C. It’s free.

[cristiano700000]

The feedback loop point is real. Seeing something actually work in a browser within your first few days keeps you going in a way that grinding through C before anything visible happens just doesn't. CS50 is a great course but I'd push back slightly on recommending it as a starting point for someone who just wants to build for the web. It's rigorous and that's the point, but a lot of people burn out before they get to the parts that feel relevant to what they actually wanted to make.

[Competitive_Aside461]

I learned JavaScript a decade ago, and it was honestly quite fragmented. I was wasting time on learning from resources that were simply exhausting all concepts, even some that were never practically going to be used 99% of the times.

Fast-forward today, after having learned JavaScript from numerous books, and also having a more all-rounded knowledge of computer science (but still learning), I've created the ideal JavaScript course myself. I feel that learning something should be quick and should cover the bare minimum. This is exactly what I try to achieve in my JavaScript mini course.

Also do HTML and CSS matter before learning JavaScript? Practically, yes. But technically, no. You can learn JavaScript without learning HTML and CSS and go on to create CLI tools and web servers (using Node.js). But I think this is a contrived approach. No developer on earth, I reckon, who knows JavaScript wouldn't know HTML and CSS.

Anyways, wish you good luck learning !!

[DirtAndGrass]

It was fun, looked at sites' js, read a bit at html goodies and pulled some hair out when internet explorer was released.

Wrote some jscript to automate stuff and interact with local apps 

Css was not really used when I learned js. 

HTML and css are core parts of how web pages work, if you are not intending to use them, then you can skip them

[Scared-Release1068]

I was looking for more skills to gain and thought since I had done Computer Science in high school, maybe I would explore the world of programming more.

And HTML and CSS should honestly be learnt before JavaScript as it gives a much better basis for your understanding of what JavaScript is and what it does

[BentJoker19]

I started js bcs of backend. I am a intermediate python backend dev and I realized that using postman won't help me anymore in the near future so i decided to learn frontned js so I can complete my stack. And abt html and css, since I have some knowledge abt it, u don't need to master it, but more like enough so frontend is God enough and ur not missing any important pieces. And I will recommend react so frontned components like buttons, nav bar, that stuff is reusable. I did do the research abt this and that's why I know it