A question from a newbie....

I just started learning the foundation of programming and, from there, I got into JavaScript for later dive into Python. In the course I am watching, the instructor made this claim...

We're in a new era of web development where JavaScript is becoming the primary language for everything both in the browser, on the server, and even on your own computer. Those good old days of building websites using HTML and CSS and just a sprinkling of JavaScript are well behind us, and the new technology stack is built around JavaScript and JavaScript frameworks.

Click to expand...

I am rather new to this world so, I don´t know what to make of this.

What do you guys think?

Well, depend, it is true, if you are going for javascript, then you can continue with Angular, React, Vue, etc... For another way also you can learn Python... If you learn Javascript then will be easy to learn Angular, React, Vue, etc etc

I agree sort of....

JavaScript isn't really used for backend/server development but node.js (and react.js) is a type of JavaScript used for this.

Node.js is used in a lot of WP plugins.

PHP and Python are also widely used and WP is built with PHP.

Really, a number of languages are used in combination to build both front-end and backend functionality.

His statement that "the new technology stack is built around JavaScript and JavaScript frameworks" is basically true.

Read up on "full stack" web development to see the most popular technologies and how they work together.

Not a programmer but interested with the topic so self learned a lot of things, a simple guideline for you:



If you want to only build beautiful website for yourself:

Chose Wordpress (40% websites in the world choose WP) + Elementor is enough and most popular now, you can almost customize everything.
want to know how to make wordpress plugin--->have to learn PHP since wordpress use PHP as backend server language
want to learn how to make wordpress themes---->HTML5/CSS3/Javascript/

build beautiful website for agency, company, large entity

Can also choose Wordpress + Elementor
Or another CMS framework, for example, PHP Lavarel (but always WP first)

Learn versatile scraping skills and many much more ready-to-use functions already built by others ----> Learn Python (thats why people love it, easy and many ready to use codes already there)

learn how to build powerful Web Apps, IOT things, crypto-related blockchain APPs ------> Node.js back end language (based on Javascript), I think Python can also do these things, but maybe Node.js is more popular in this case.

learn how to develop mobile games----> choose a popular game engine like Unity, Unreal, and a language they supported, like C#, C++, Javascript...sure you can also go native, like learn Kotlin for Android program, learn Swift only for iOS related...

There are also more languages suit for very specific niches like C only for bare metal hardware, Rust (more safe) to replace C++, Webassembly for browser gaming and APP, Typescript to replace Javascript.......the list goes on...

Javascript is important, yes, you can use it to do everything later, almost truth.

I agree

It's true - javascript can be used for server side scripting (e.g., node js).

I haven't dabbled in node js, something I want to try out. I just started using jquery after decades of doing everything custom in javascript (which I still enjoy). Sometimes jquery makes things way too easy lol

And then I came across elementor on WP and it's like you don't even need to know how to program anymore to create very slick web apps or sites.

javascript is used for full stack scripting.
Javascript is very useful to build front-end.

Hi, I have much experience in developing web and apps with multiple languages. Can we connect with?

Well, it's true even despite of javascript has dynamic typing and sometimes makes you crazy

The instructor must be a fan of old style motivation speeches...

Can you share the video? Maybe you misquoted the guy or something.

Its a matter of opinion and experience with this I think, I'm building a website with php, but will probably put javascript in it somewhere, you just have to get started, and you'll find out you probably use multiple languages.

I think he is absolutely right because when JavaScript came out, people thought it was something you find with HTML and CSS.

Now, JavaScript is big on mobile platforms, and it's great that Python tightly integrates with JavaScript.

If anything, your instructor's claim should get you excited. You're learning a skill set that is not going to go away any time soon.

That's always good news.

Because as you know, in the field we're in, technology changes rapidly. It seems that for every major change in protocol or preferred computer languages, many people get left behind.

So the fact that people can make such a claim with a straight face should give you a cause for confidence and look forward to a brighter future.

If you're just starting out, I recommend that you decide what your goal is: working on freelance projects or working for a company.

With the answer to that, you should be able to better choose where to focus your studies.

If you are going to work for a company, then you are going to have to learn the languages with the most vacancies available. If you plan to work as a freelancer, you can learn fewer languages and become an expert in them.

In the beginning it's hard to choose where to start with so many different languages available, and each saying that language x is better than language y, etc. When you learn programming logic, it's easier to learn different languages.

A tip that can help you choose which language is best for you is to learn a little about two languages and make a small project in one, and then recreate the same project using the other language. So you see the differences, facilities and difficulties between them.

Another tip is also to choose if you want to focus on web, desktop or mobile development. Some languages are more platform-specific, others it is possible to make cross-platform applications (like javascript).