I'm just diving into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and I know absolutely nothing about coding yet. I've heard a bit about W3Schools as a starting point. Since I'm more of a reader than a watcher, I prefer going through documentation instead of video tutorials. My mom is a computer science professor, so I can ask her for help if I get stuck, but she isn't up to date with the latest market trends or hiring advice. Is W3Schools a decent place to begin my coding journey?
5 Answers
I’d recommend you grab some coding books! Jon Duckett has some excellent titles that cover front-end development really well. They’re very beginner-friendly and nicely designed, which makes learning easier.
W3Schools is alright—nothing to write home about, but not terrible either. I’d actually suggest checking out MDN (Mozilla Developer Network) instead. They have really detailed and comprehensive tutorials on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that are great for beginners. It’s a solid foundation for learning web development.
If you’re specifically looking for documentation, MDN is the way to go. It's much more reliable than W3Schools for accurate information.
Honestly, I think the best starting point is taking an introductory programming course at a local college. It offers a formal structure that can really help you understand the basics. Plus, you get to engage with instructors and peers.
Absolutely! A lot of people point to MDN for its thoroughness, but W3Schools is super beginner-friendly. It’s easier to digest and perfect for quick lookups, especially if you just need reminders about JavaScript methods or syntax. I have both resources on my devices, and I check W3Schools often when I just need a simple reference, while I go to MDN for deeper understanding.
Totally agree! W3Schools is like your quick cheat sheet, while MDN is where you dive deep. They complement each other well.