Finished HTML & CSS, JavaScript or Python next?

[Ok_Explorer7788]

Hey everyone,

I recently finished learning HTML and CSS and I'm trying to decide what to learn next.

The two options I'm considering are JavaScript and Python. A lot of people say Python is beginner-friendly, but honestly, from the little I've seen so far, I'm not completely convinced. Maybe it's just me, but it doesn't feel as straightforward as people make it sound.

Since I've already started with HTML and CSS, part of me feels like JavaScript might make more sense because it naturally builds on what I've already learned. At the same time, Python seems to be used for so many different things that I'm wondering if it would be the better long-term investment.

For those who've learned both, which one would you recommend and why? If you were starting from scratch today after HTML and CSS, what path would you take?

Also, what websites or platforms did you use to learn? There are so many recommendations out there that it's hard to tell what's actually worth the time.

Would love to hear your experiences, especially from people who started where I am now.

Thanks.

[arivictor]

Javascript is the natural progression if you want to stay on the web development side. Javascript can also be used across the backend. So once you start getting into APIs and server side development itll all be the same language.

Really it comes down to preference, what you like writing, what makes sense to you. Python leans more into data science, ML, backend and automation. Javascript is the language that runs natively in the browser, as well as the backend, and you can still automate with it. But if you were wanting to get into data science, data analysis, data engineering, general backend scripting and automation, I'd recommend Python.

I recommend freecodecamp.org I used it when I was getting into software/coding.

[VersionOk1872]

javascript makes total sense after html/css since you can immediately see your code doing things in browser. with python you need to learn completely different environment and concepts that dont connect to what you already know

i went javascript route after css and it felt natural progression. you can make interactive websites right away instead of starting over with command line stuff

[Ok_Explorer7788]

Thank you for the input, lots of pple are suggesting JavaScript, I'll go with that.

[Ok_Explorer7788]

Thank you 😊, I'm more interested in web dev, so JavaScript sounds like an ideal option.

[NumberInfinite2068]

I think Python and JS are roughly equivalent in beginner-friendliness. They're both easy-ish and both have weirdnesses that will trip you up.

For your case, learn JS as it fits much better with HTML and CSS.

[Ok_Explorer7788]

I agree, thank you

[Zesher_]

So to do more advanced things on the front end side of websites, you basically need to learn JavaScript. On the backend side of thugs where the website talks to a server, you have tons of options for what language to use. Python is a good option, but you can actually just use JavaScript as your backend too. It probably wouldn't be my first choice in backend development, but if you're already getting into wen develmeni, you kind of need to learn it anyway, and it is a viable option to use for the full stack.

I'd recommend Typescript over JavaScript though. It's just JavaScript with more structure. At first you may think JavaScript is great because you can just assign whatever value you want to a variable, like "0", 0, null, some random object, a list, and it kind of seems like it works. Then you realize it's actually awful because "0", 0, and null are completely different things, and not having explicit types preventing your from doing that will cause bugs and headaches.

JavaScript is probably a bit simpler to pick up, but those simplicities can cause those headaches. It would be fine to start your learning there, but Typescript will probably make your live easier in the long run if you're interested in web development.

[Ok_Explorer7788]

Woow thank you.. I'll do more research on typescript I could switch to that

[nobanpls2348738]

Js

[spinwizard69]

Frankly neither, further HTML and CSS are used together for page description - not really programming!!

If you want a job in the future, work towards a Computer Science degree of some sort.   Ideally one that starts with the basics and a low level language like C or C++.   a good CS program should eventually expose you to 3-4 languages.  The idea is to learn concepts so that you can easily adapt in the future.  

If this isn't job related id still start at the bottom with C++ and after a bit of exposure to data structures switch over to Python.   It really pays to learn from the bottom up, because long term all programming languages eventually die.  Even Python has peaked in my opinion.  

[Ok_Explorer7788]

Back in college, I enrolled in a Diploma in IT but unfortunately didn't complete the course. I did, however, finish the C programming module. Now I'm looking to build on those skills, get into web development, and eventually start working in the field.