How to Learn to Be a Mobile and Web Developer from Scratch

Embarking on a journey to become a mobile and web developer can seem daunting, but starting small can make the process much more manageable. This guide will help you navigate the initial steps and provide a structured approach to learning the necessary skills.

Setting Clear Goals

The first step is to set a clear and achievable goal. Perhaps you want to create a simple game like Pong or a basic calculator app for your phone. It's important to choose something manageable and self-contained that allows you to start small and grow incrementally.

Essential Skills

To become proficient in both web and mobile development, you must learn several key skills:

HTML CSS JavaScript A backend language like C, Java, PHP, Python, or Swift SQL A web backend framework such as Django, Zend, or node.js

These technologies form the foundation of both web and mobile development, and mastering them will significantly enhance your capabilities as a developer.

Learning Approaches

There are three primary ways to learn these skills: through web development, canvas-based development, or app development.

Web Development Approach

For those who want a comprehensive understanding, the web development approach is the most thorough. It involves:

Learning HTML and CSS to create websites Moving on to front- and backend programming (JavaScript and a backend language respectively) Acquiring SQL knowledge for databases Gaining familiarity with a web backend framework

This approach takes the most time but provides the broadest skill set.

Canvas-Based Approach

This approach is more streamlined and allows for greater flexibility. You can either:

Dive into front-end programming and then move on to the backend Start with web design and then move to the backend

While this is a faster route, you might face knowledge gaps due to the shorter time spent on each area.

App Development Approach

For those who primarily want to develop apps for iOS and Android, this approach is ideal:

Learn about web design to a lesser extent Focus on iOS and Android app development in a short timeframe

This approach allows you to create impressive apps quickly, though it might be less comprehensive in other areas.

Programming Fundamentals

Before diving into specific technologies, it's essential to learn basic programming concepts. Choose a language to develop fluency in, such as Java or Swift for a static language, and JavaScript or PHP for a dynamic language.

Recommended Learning Paths

It's common to find resources recommending 1000 to 2000 hours to learn programming. Here are some recommended paths to follow:

Learn programming basics first. See Teach Yourself Computer Science. Then dive into more specific technologies: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, AJAX, and a server-side language like PHP. Alternatively, other server-side languages can be used. For Android development, consider using Java (note that this is different from JavaScript), and Objective C for iOS.

Each of these paths can help you build a solid foundation and gradually expand your skills to become a proficient web and mobile developer.