How long until you had enough working knowledge to become a jr. web developer?

Question

I know this is all relative to how fast of a learner you are and what kind of schedule you set for yourself, but here's a background:

I'm pretty HTML savvy. I was building web pages when I was 14 (I'm 25 now, and so I know the rules have changed since then) and I pick up on coding and whatnot fairly easy.

My question is less how long it will take me, but how long did it take YOU?

I'm currently teaching myself HTML/XML/XHTML/CSS, PHP, javascript, Mysql, and Ajax (and will then go onto other avenues such as asp, vb, java, etc)

How long did it take you to become an intermediate developer/programmer, and how long after that until you were advanced/expert?

Any and all answers are greatly appreciated, thank you!

Answer 1

It took me about a half a year to a year. I'm finishing learning PHP now and I know XHTML, HTML 4.01, PHP, MySQL, SQL Queries, Javascript, and I'm beginning with ASP.NET, and I also know XML. I'm about to build my first FireFox extension too.



-Billy

Answer 2

I guess I am still on the beginner/intermediate end of the scale, but I think for a good solid grounding in:

HTML/XHTML 1.0, CSS, JavaScript, a really good start in JavaScript, good intro knowledge to Python, understanding of Ajax and developing my first few paying websites I would say about a year of good solid work on it, but I am a tour guide so about 50% of the time I was on tour and not touching it, and while at home I have been spending a great deal of time with my kids. But if you work a regular job and do this in your spare time, I guess the time comes out about the same. I didn't set out to do it as a job, it was just a hobby that, with wanting to be home more, has turned into a good option. So if you are focused on it, it could be much faster.

Answer 3

I'm not going to list all my skills... but as a highlight:



I started as a DOS dev back when I was 12.



By 17 I knew HTML/CSS, QBasic, VB6, MS Access and basic C++ (pointers etc).



By 19 I knew .Net 1.0, OOP, XML

Graduated a 2yr university course in 2004 and got first "jr. web developer" position (a bit over-qualified I might add)



By 21 I wrote my first dynamically-adjustable search engine, which is still used by that government agency every day since then (and without error I might add).



By 23, Python and MySQL, AJAX



By 24, I wrote a telephone numbering and switch network device inventory management system for a local ISP/VOIP company.

LINQ/WCF/SOA etc etc



I'm just about 26 now, and I now work in that section of Government for which I wrote the search-engine for, in a Senior dev position.



I can't talk about my current work in detail, but the software system I'm writing right now is one of the largest and most complex I have ever laid eye's on. Think tens of millions of dollars and 100,000's man-hours

(Think about it: 40hr/week/man, so it's huge!!!)



WPF is really the only area of C# .Net 3.5 I haven't used at a mastered level yet. Throw any other 3-letter acronym at me, and chances are I've: been there / done that.

Answer 4

you desire to be as open to each little thing as attainable - meaning studying speedy. Get as a lot below your belt as attainable by way of fact clientele can be extremely stressful and multiple will impose very strict policies. you will somewhat could desire to comprehend: HTML XHTML XML CSS JavaScript Redirects SEO Inbound/Outbound hyperlink mindset you will pick to comprehend Hypertext Preprocessor ASP JSP MySQL MsSQL you will pick to examine approximately Linux internet hosting homestead windows internet hosting area registration and coping with Filename conventions and there's a lot extra you will could desire to and choose directly to comprehend! you will pick to have your very own internet hosting provider on your clientele. in all probability by way of a great reseller internet hosting equipment to start up with, later a committed server or co-area (look the words up on a seek engine for information). you will could desire to be reading every day for something of your occupation. i've got been bobbing up internet web content by way of fact the early ninety's and to right this moment time i'm consistently studying. in case you provide up it turns into harder to get closer the main modern-day technologies. you will pick to examine approximately company besides in case you intend to be freelance. look into the basically right thank you to form a company for tax and income purposes. save each little thing above board and bonafide. you will additionally pick to examine related to the extremely some application for layout available. Hand coding is substantial yet there'll be clientele that insist you employ specific application to enhance their web content (and Dreamweaver/Flash isn't the be-all and end-all of internet layout). Get to comprehend the thank you to application effectively in internet and internet languages so as which you would be able to create application recommendations on your clientele issues. heavily evaluate how a lot you will put in related to objective and how long term this is. everybody can prepare a internet web site, yet once you need an prolonged term occupation - make certain you're arranged for an prolonged difficult slog, by way of fact development the recognition you like isn't basic. additionally - stay freelance, it is going to pay a lot extra effective than an enduring place. good success.

Answer 5

6 years, then everything you've learnt will be so last century