Hey everyone! I've been diving into web development and I'm on this journey of learning. I know it's a never-ending process and the job market is quite competitive with tons of folks vying for limited positions. My goal isn't necessarily to get a job, but rather to build things for myself and for friends—tools that could potentially earn me some money in the future.
However, I'm stuck wondering how much I need to learn before I start actually building my projects. I keep coming across suggestions that say it takes about 1.5 to 3 years of study before you should really start creating. Is that accurate? What's the right amount of practice or knowledge I should have under my belt before jumping into building? Oh, and one other thing—I want to avoid any mishaps like that tea app incident!
Also, I'm curious about the best way to learn the MERN stack visually. I'm considering starting with resources like bro code or free code camp, but I'm looking for recommendations on a solid, straightforward learning path.
5 Answers
From my experience teaching web development, here’s a solid path to follow for being a full-stack developer:
1. Start with HTML
2. Move to CSS
3. Learn CSS Flexbox
4. Explore PHP
5. Get into Laravel
Although you asked about MERN, I'd recommend focusing on Laravel first. It’s a comprehensive framework that saves you a lot of time with handy features like data management and authentication, which are vital for building decent tools.
You could start coding right now! Even a simple project like displaying your name on a web page is a start. Progress varies; some people flourish quickly whereas others take time. Generally, after a year or so, you should see some noticeable improvement or cool projects come together. Just keep at it!
That’s true, but remember that CS grads follow a structured timeline, covering a broad range. The standout ones usually go beyond their coursework with extra practice.
You definitely don't have to wait long before you start building! In fact, constructing a project while you learn can be a great way to guide your studies. You can start right now, even with just a little knowledge, and grow as you go along!
Thanks for the encouragement! By the way, do you have any thoughts on my second question about visually learning the MERN stack?
Honestly, you’re ready when you can build a website and check most boxes on a job application. Just be aware that diving into MERN might not be the best choice if you’re going solo. Check out The Odin Project if you want a solid foundation instead of jumping into that popular stack.
You said you prefer learning visually? The best route is to dive in, tackle a project, and break it down into smaller parts. FreeCodeCamp is a fantastic resource for this, and there are tons of other platforms available—just make sure to apply what you learn by actively building something. You'll learn more from solving the issues you encounter than just going through tutorials!
By visually, I mean I like to see someone do it first then try to replicate. Reading sometimes loses me. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks a ton for compiling that info! I’ll be sure to check those out.