HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, Enough Already!

Priority List of All the Web Design Knowledge One Must Have

Nikki Freeman
Nikki Freeman, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Oct 30, 2006 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
Over the years, I've spent a lot of time trying to understand all of the different languages and ways that are available to communicate through the web medium. I began by learning Dreamweaver software...BTW, this got me absolutely no where, as I had to re-learn everything. TIP: Dreamweaver is good, learning backend is better, and if you ever plan on becoming a quality web designer and/or programmer you will have to learn this; and dreamweaver in no way prepares you for it. Anyway, I digress... Once I think I have come a long way in my slowly expanding knowledge of web design, graphic design and programming, there is an entirely new set of languages I have to learn. And, before I learn them I have to actually know what in heck I need to learn them for. So here's a little overview for anyone who has been in my predicament: (This list assumes you already know web graphics & proper designing principles...To cover the graphical part of web design would require an entirely new list, which would include Flash!)

1. HTML -Basic web design, foundation of principles you will need to understand. It is the meat and bones of your website, and whether or not you are relying on CSS, or possibly some user interface for designing your web page, there will come a time when you need to use basic knowledge of HTML. Also, this would include constructing the code in between the tag of your website, which changes depending on the code you're using, programs you're using and important for meta tags.

2. XHTML - HTML with a few more rules. Learn this after you've mastered HTML, there is no need to learn HTML & XHTML at the same time, unless of course you want to. It will become the standard way of doing things, but essentially it consists of some extra rules when properly creating your website

3. CSS -Also a basic foundation you'll need to learn in order to succeed as a web designer. Through learning HTML, you should understand tables and how to configure them, from this point CSS is the next language and design instrument you need to be proficient in. In a nutshell, you need to learn HTML and tables, then unlearn tables and use CSS. It sounds redundant, but I personally beleive it is necessary.

4. DHTML -applies some CSS and HTML elements so that they achieve more dynamic functions. It is a creative way of looking at basic HTML & CSS, someone else has done the dirty work of figuring out how to utilize basic web page design and make it better, so learn this next.

5. Javascript -Program of choice for web designers who want to achieve interactivity (forms, feeds, etc.) and also some dynamic aspects of web design. You don't necessarily need to learn javascript like the back of your hand, but you should understand it pretty well and be able to apply almost any function needed with a little research.

6. PHP/SQL - This is a HUGE jump from javascript, very difficult, very complicated and overall it is much different from you're used to learning if you haven't worked with C++ or any other advanced programming languages. Once you've learned this though, your stock goes up 10 fold. You can create forums, blogs, ecommerce sites-shopping carts, and a lot more. You'll also have to unlearn some previous javascript, because javascript is not indexed through search engines, PHP/SQL allow you to take information, like feeds, and display it on your page as indexable content. *PHP/SQL are the most widely used programs to achieve their intended results, but there are some interchangeable ones that work if it suits you-ASP being one of them.

7. Drupal /other CMS Programs- Useful tool for creating web communities, forums, blogs, ecommerce sites. Goes hand in hand with PHP & SQL, though you don't necessarily need to use CMS programs if you are a PHP/SQL master. There are a lot of different CMS programs out there; they are basic frameworks given out as open source software so individuals with little knowledge about programming and web developing can have the opportunity to implement databases and dynamic aspects into their web page. Personally, I have tried about ten different CMS programs, and I'm still deciding which one is best for me. For a list of the CMS options out there, with reviews, user opinions and descriptions, visit:

Open Source CMS

This is a short list, it could be longer. But, I hope it can be helpful to anyone attempting to conquer the extremely vast world of web design and programming. Please comment if you know of more useful programs you might put higher up on the hierarchy, or have opinions about some CMS software options.

Published by Nikki Freeman

Freelance Writer, Graphic Designer, Web Designer. My first passion was writing, my second Art, my third singing/songwriting/music/my guitar, fourth technology. Put them all together and somehow they manage t...  View profile

  • Open Source CMSW3schools - Great definitions, tutorials and explanations of web design programs and tools
  • First three things you should learn: HTML, XHTML, CSS
  • Second three things you should learn: DHTML, Javascript, PHP/SQL
  • CMS Open Source Software allows non-programmers to make blogs, forums and complete online community
Digg.com was creating using a CMS software version.

9 Comments

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  • KeyHmm9/19/2007

    Your article was VERY helpful to me, thanks a million

  • Nikki Freeman11/10/2006

    Hi readers, I would like to send a little update on this article. I explained what CMS programs were, and that I was experimenting with some. I had to share this because I am so enthusiastic about it, and hopefully it will save someone time when choosing a CMS program. JOOMLA is by FAR the best, easiest, greatest, most customizable, feature filled CMS program I've used. I will be sticking with this one, you can check it out at the Joomla website. Thanks! -Nikki

  • Nikki Freeman11/4/2006

    I know it is becoming more popular, but I've only started with PHP, MySql & C just 6 months ago, and they are "supposed" to be easier. Also, they are more compatible with MySQL, which is the database of choice to date. But I've also heard that Pearl is more powerful than PHP as far as the many "things" that it can do. There are a lot of options for web programming. I'm sure I will move right on to the next one when I conquer these. I'll be sure to look more into it. Thanks for the suggestion! :)

  • Nikki Freeman10/30/2006

    I totally understand. I've spent a lot of time kicking myself while trying to self-learn web design programs and such. If you want to send me a message with what you're trying to do, I could probably set you up with a link, resource or possibly get you in the right direction with advice...

  • J.C. Hagan10/30/2006

    Thanks...I was planning on slightly modifying an example code, but if I can get what I want out of CSS (or even java), it would probably be better to go with that just so I know exactly what's going on. This is just daunting/frustrating...

  • Nikki Freeman10/30/2006

    Ok, I see what you're saying. You can use PHP in ways like this (without mysql.) It's still kind of difficult to code, but if you have example code to use, it is much easier. Simple PHP code you to generate content on each page or incorporate dynamic things like form submissions, with just one simple snippet of PHP code within your pages. BUT, most of the time, you will still have to make each page with the .php extension. Most hosts have the PHP priveledges, but you that is also required. Personally, if I'm going to use PHP, I am going to use it with MYsql and only when I have a significant amount of data being stored/accessed. Every other type of function that only requires PHP, can mostly be done with javascript or css, and I'm just more comfortable with them.

  • J.C. Hagan10/30/2006

    Okay, so I'm working on starting a few sites right now, and I've been trying to rehash/improve my design skills (I'm trying to learn CSS right now). Anyway, I was looking into PHP and it looks like there are a lot of short-cuts you can use with it without learning the whole language since it integrates in HTML (like creating a general sidebar.php file to put on all pages, using the php code on each page, and then only changing the php file instead of all of them). Am I wrong and/or dumb in doing this, or are there pitfalls I'm not seeing?

  • Nikki Freeman10/30/2006

    XHTML is number 2! :) Yes, CMS Open Source software is relatively new, I am in the process of tooling with the "Drupal" and "civicSpace" versions, but I've also tried Pligg and PHPAppstate versions. As of now I'd recommend Drupal or Civic Space. But things like word press are easier if you're trying to just make a forum or blog....If you try any new ones, let me know how they turn out!

  • Tinashe Nyatanga10/30/2006

    Nice article. I hadnt heard of CMS so i am now bound to check it out. I saw you left out XHTML. But still Nice article

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