I'm a game developer and new to web development. I'm interested in creating a website that enhances the features of Desmos.com, specifically by using their API to embed a graphing calculator and build additional functionality on top of it. However, this feels like a significant leap for my first project in web development. I'm looking for a simple 'hello world' project that can guide me through the basics of setting up a website, hosting it, and integrating a third-party API. I'd also appreciate any recommendations for a good introductory course on web development.
3 Answers
Are you planning to stick with vanilla JavaScript, or do you think you'll move on to a framework like React down the line?
For a great starting point, check out Mozilla’s web development guide. It covers the essentials of what web applications are and how to build them from scratch.
You’re actually starting with an advantage from game dev! You already get how rendering loops and state management work. For your Desmos project, here's my advice:
1. Begin with basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript — skip frameworks for now. Create a simple page to embed the Desmos calculator and maybe add one custom button to learn DOM manipulation.
2. Try hosting it on Vercel or Netlify for free. Connecting your GitHub repo is straightforward, and it's a great way to deploy for the first time.
3. Next, explore the Canvas API or SVG manipulation to enhance your graphing options. The math skills you have from game development will apply here too!
4. Only consider adding a framework like React when managing complex state feels overwhelming. The best way to learn is by building your tool and Googling for answers as you go. Also, The Odin Project is excellent and free for learning the fundamentals.
I'm unsure if I'll need a framework just yet. My goal is to add a Bezier curve editor to Desmos. This feature would involve draggable points and some auto-calculations, which seems a bit complex for what Desmos currently provides. Will I need React for that?