If I was going to start learning Web development today, this would be my roadmap:

1. Frontend development #

  • English - you won’t get far without it.
  • HTML - the foundation of WEB development. What the browser displays.
  • Git - save & store your code.
  • CSS - style your HTML.
  • Javascript - programming language embedded in a web browser.

At this point you can create a static website. Without relying on any $$$ proprietary tools!

Surely, instead of learning all that you can become a professional in WordPress/Drupal/Wix or another website builder, but that way you are bound to a specific proprietary tool. And this niche skill would not pay much ;)

To polish the above skills of developing static websites, you can learn:

  • CSS Frameworks (BootstrapCSS, TailwindCSS)
  • JS Framework - StimulusJS is a lightweight option to start with

Congratulations! You are now a frontend web developer!

2. Backend development #

That’s means:

  • having a database to store, read and write data
  • communicating with the database via HTTPS requests
  • dynamically generating different data on web pages
  • adding “business logic”

This all can be handled by a framework like Ruby on Rails.

First steps to learn Rails:

  • Ruby programming language
  • Basic database architecture - storing, reading, writing data
  • Rails MVC (Model-View-Controller) + Routes
  • Integrating a gem (devise, pagy, ransack)
  • Bulding a hobby app

A long journey #

It’s not easy.

Learning programming takes a lot of time, discipline and focus.

Select one tech stack and don’t get destracted along the way.

Just as it takes years to get a university degree, it takes time to learn programming on a level to be eligible for the job market.

Millions of people “try programming” and ditch it a few months later.

Perserverance > Talent.