Skills for a Web Developer?

Question

Hi, making a career change to being a freelance web developer and am doing some research on what skills I really need. I've gone through a heap of websites and compiled a list of what they think are the skills I need, now I'm here to get your opinion. So are all of these skills really necessary to be a good web developer or are only a few?

I'm thinking of learning:
HTML
XHTML
CSS
Javascript
DOM
DHTML
AJAX
PHP
JSP
ASP
ASP.NET
Flash
VBScript
C#
VB.NET
Perl
Python

As far as I know C#, Perl and Python are all programming languages, so why would I need them when developing a website?

Thanks, to all that take the time to answer me!

Answer 1

Hi friend,



It is not necessary to do all the things & become master of none...Know every language but concentrate on one or two language particularly...Become an expert in it...



As u have give the list of language (whether it is markup,client-side or server-side) , I think ASP is not necessary as u will do ASP.Net. ASP.Net is bit same like ASP but ASP.Net works in .NET framework.So, learn only ASP.Net instead of ASP.



For a web-developer, learning Flash is not so important for becoming a web developer but if u want, u can do that. Flash is used to make attractive & dynamic website but it takes much time to load. So, many website never prefer to use flash website.

Also, for learning flash, u should have a bit of creative skill also.



VBScript is not necessary if u r learning Javascript. By d way, Javascript is mostly used a client side scripting language than VBScript.



C# & VB.Net is not necessary if u r learning C#.Net. C#.Net is just an extension of C#. Also, C#.Net works in .Net Framework. So, if u r learning one programming language then its enough. You want to be a web developer not a programmer. So, C#.Net is the best.



Now, the question is C# is a programming language then why u need to learn this??



The answer is ASP.Net is based on the programming language like C#.Net & VB.Net. means ASP.Net also uses the syntax of C#.Net & VB.Net so,it will much be helpful for you to learn server-side language like ASP.Net.



So, learn C#.Net..It is not necessary or mandatory to learn Perl & Python for web-developer.



Apart from that, HTML,XHTML,CSS,Javascript,DOM,DHTML,AJAX,PHP & JSP is must. So,learn all these language by heart.



I want to suggest you that also learn the database language like SQL server, Oracle & MySQL.

U wil ask now, why I m saying so??



Look...as a web-developer, you have to connect ur website to the database to get all the required data as all the server side data exist in the database.



So,learn database language so that atleast u will know how to search data from a database(querying data) & other stuff related to that. Learning all these things helps u in the long run...



BEST OF LUCK FOR UR FUTURE :)

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Web development obviously is a vast area of knowledge and expertise. A lot of skills therefore are required for a web developer if they want to analyze and perform their tasks in the most efficient manner.



 A web developer should be able to adjust the priorities depending on the latest trends and upcoming changes. They should be also proficient about the browser and operating system market and the changes taking place in this particular segment to stay competitive in the industry.

 Web developers should have core competency in coding skills.

 The codes should be further tested for accuracy in multiple browsers.

 Web developers should write codes that are accessible and should be of enhanced usability.

 Ensure utmost security in the coding tasks web developers perform so as to avoid any malicious attacks that might harm your website.

Answer 4

The following is a must for a web developer:

- HTML/XHTML/DHTML

- CSS

- JavaScript

- DOM/AJAX



a.) If you are going Microsoft-based all you need to learn is C#, drop VB(.NET). What you can do in C# you can do in VB(.NET) and vice-versa. ASP(VBScript) or what we call 'ASP Classic' is already considered obsolete, drop it too.



b.) Though I'm not very much familiar with the following, it is popular for being cross-platform, an advantage you can abuse:

- PHP(Free) or JSP

- Perl or Python



If your server is Windows-based, go for "a.)"

If Mac/Unix/Linux-based, go for "b.)"



And as the other answerer have suggested, you also must learn atleast one database engine:

- MsSQL

- MySql(Free)

- Oracle

- PostgreSql



Good luck!



EDIT:

The answerer next to me doesn't know that C# is actually .NET...

There's no such thing as C#.NET, C# is .NET...

The first time C# was published it's already .NET...

.NET is a Framework not some title or something...

Answer 5

"Below are some of the general principles, skills and languages that every professional web developer must know:



HTML and CSS, JavaScript,Product Management,Frameworks, Git, JSON APIs, Caching, Background Tasks"

Answer 6

Sure. Comm skills. Gotta be able to speak with Bosses and Clients about what they want. To be able to flesh out what the hell someone wants is half the battle. Also documenting what you created. Leaving bread crumbs for people who come after you.

Answer 7

I think each developer have some different technique about his/her skills.

Answer 8

yes, that pretty much sums it

i had my share website design and im done.

u also get to create programs or commands for the computer, not just plain websites

take it easy tho, learning just one of those things that you listed isn't easy because you need creativity and discipline. like you said C# is language program which you tell the computer what to do, thats key important

Answer 9

C# is used with the .net tool

Perl is a server side scripting language

Python is a scripting language that can be used like php on some servers.



In addition to your list

XML



For the database side also learn

SQL

ORACLE

MYSQL



In addition learn secure programming techniques and encryption