Hey everyone! I just wrapped up my first year in a Web Application Development program in Spain, where I primarily studied Java. We had brief exposure to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but Java was definitely the meatiest part of our coursework. I ended up with top marks, and I feel pretty good about my programming fundamentals like loops, data types, OOP, and arrays. However, now that I'm gearing up for a deeper dive into JavaScript and PHP next year, I want to make the most of my summer break. I'm eager to get a solid grasp on JavaScript before the second year begins. If you have any recommendations for intermediate to advanced JavaScript courses, resources, project ideas, or any insights you wish you had when starting out, I'd love to hear them! I'm also open to any tips on learning PHP. Thanks a ton!
4 Answers
You really don’t need to ‘properly learn’ a new programming language after you’ve tackled your first one. There’s so much overlap! Just dive into a project and look up how to implement specific things as you go—that’s how you’ll really learn. For an initial baseline, W3Schools has some great resources for JavaScript, and if you're getting into web stuff, check out Express.js. It'll probably come up in your course.
Check out javascript.info! It's a solid resource to start building small projects, which can really help you get the hang of JavaScript before the next school year starts. Project-based learning is key!
Don't forget to check out MDN (Mozilla Developer Network)! It's a fantastic reference for JavaScript and has tons of examples and explanations.
I’m in a similar boat! JavaScript shares a lot of similarities with Java, so the logic transfers pretty well. Start with a crash course to get familiar, but jump into your own self-directed projects right away. Watching YouTube tutorials can also be helpful—just learn by doing!
What specific courses are you following on YouTube?
Absolutely! Building small apps is a fantastic way to get those JavaScript concepts down.