Introduction
Hey everyone, I'm Pushkaraj Kulkarni a passionate full-stack developer and open-source contributor. I have built several projects in the field of web development and also contributed to various open-source projects.
This article will discuss how you can accelerate your web development learning. Even if you are just starting or are on an intermediate level this article will surely help you in your journey toward becoming a full-stack developer.
Start with basics
Various times I have noticed that most beginners skip the fundamentals of web development i.e HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and directly try to learn libraries like React and Angular which is the wrong approach.
Try to master the fundamentals and build various projects using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You can use external APIs to create something that can blow your mind.
Choose a front-end framework/library
After completing the basics you can consider learning a front-end framework or library, front-end frameworks and libraries are becoming so popular in the past few years and there is a strong reason for that.
You might face various problems while building web apps, front-end frameworks provide various features that make your building journey a bit smoother.
Libraries like React.js and frameworks like Angular are one of the most used frontend frameworks and libraries in this industry.
Build as many front-end projects as you can using a framework/library. After this, you can proudly call yourself a front-end developer.
Learn a backend language
To become a full-stack developer, you'll need to learn a backend language. Some popular ones include PHP, Ruby, and Python. You can even do backend stuff with JavaScript by using run-times like Nodejs, Deno, Bun, etc.
Learn the syntax and features of your chosen language, and practice building simple web applications.
Learn about database
Databases are a crucial part of web development or any web application in general as it stores the user's data.
It's important to learn about how to manage databases, how to connect them with the backend, and how to perform CRUD (Create-Read-Update-Delete) operations on them.
At this point, you will be able to build complex end-to-end full-stack web applications, which will include front-end, backend as well as database.
At this point, you can call yourself a full-stack web developer who knows all the aspects of building web applications, but still, there are some more technologies to learn in order to build web apps more effectively.
Learn about Git and GitHub
Now these technologies are not mandatory to build a full-stack web application but learning them is a great investment of time that may give you significant returns.
Git is a distributed version control system that tracks changes in any sort of file, mainly used by programmers to keep a record of changes made in any source code.
GitHub is a type of place where you can host your source code using Git, this is the most popular service among programmers. There are also various services similar to GitHub for example, Gitlab and Bitbucket you can explore them too.
By learning Git and GitHub you can also start contributing to open-source projects, which is our next point.
Contribute to open source
Though contributing to open source is not mandatory it can help you gain practical real-world knowledge about web development or any sort of technology in general.
Contributing to open source can also help you network with others in your industry and build your portfolio. It can help you to open many new doors of opportunity.
Find the web development-related projects on GitHub that excite you and start contributing to them, Ask the maintainers to assign you some issues. And after that, you are ready to go for completing that particular task.
Network with other developers
Networking with other developers in the web development industry is crucial for your professional growth and success.
By connecting with others in the field, you can gain valuable insights, learn new techniques and tools, and collaborate on projects.
You can also receive feedback on your work, get answers to technical questions, and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
Joining online communities, attending meetups and conferences, and participating in coding challenges are one of the ways to network with other developers.
Never stop learning
It is true that by learning the things I mentioned above you can be a full-stack developer but It's also a truth that market trends, technologies, and versions of libraries and frameworks change from time to time.
That's why it is important to keep an eye on new technologies to keep you up to date with the constantly evolving field of web development.
So, never stop learning!
Points to remember (Summary)
Start with the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which form the foundation of web development.
Choose your tools, including code editors, version control tools, and frameworks based on your project requirements and preferences.
Learn by doing and practice consistently to master web development skills.
Join web development communities and follow industry experts to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques.
Attend workshops, webinars, and coding boot camps to gain hands-on experience and learn new skills.
Build a portfolio to showcase your skills and expertise to potential employers or clients.
Stay up-to-date with new developments in the field and practice problem-solving to overcome challenges.
Be patient and persistent in your learning journey and seek help when needed.
Resources for web development
Below are some resources from where you can start you learning web development to become a full-stack developer:
W3Schools: This website offers tutorials and references on various web development technologies, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and more.
FreeCodeCamp: This online platform provides free coding tutorials and projects to help learners build their skills and portfolio.
Youtube: There are various channels on Youtube that can help you to learn web development like CodeWithHarry, WebDevSimplified, TraversyMedia, etc.
Mozilla Developer Network: This website is a great resource for learning web development and getting documentation on various web technologies.
GitHub: This platform is a popular tool for version control and collaborative coding. It can also be a great place to find some repositories that might help you to learn web development more in-depth.
Stack Overflow: This community-driven question-and-answer platform can be a great resource for troubleshooting and problem-solving in web development.
Udemy: This platform offers a variety of paid courses on web development, ranging from beginner to advanced levels.
Codecademy: This online platform offers interactive coding lessons for beginners to learn web development.
Medium: This blogging platform has many great blogs and articles on web development, written by industry experts.
CSS-Tricks: This website provides tutorials and examples on various CSS techniques and technologies.
Awwwards: This website showcases award-winning web designs and can be a great source of inspiration for your own web development projects.
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning web development can seem like a hard task, but by following the steps outlined in this guide, you can make the process easier and more enjoyable.
Remember to never stop learning and evolving yourself. Also don't forget the importance of networking with other developers in the industry.
With persistence and dedication, you can become a skilled web developer and take your career to new heights. So, start your journey today and unleash your creativity to build amazing web applications that can make a difference in the world.
If you still have any doubts feel free to ask in the comments, you can even connect with me over Twitter and GitHub:
Thank you so much for reading this article, if you found this article useful please consider giving a like and giving your opinion in the comments.