I'm looking to enhance my web development skills and I'm feeling a bit torn. Should I focus on learning the fundamental skills like raw HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, or should I immediately dive into modern frameworks like Next.js? What do you all think is more beneficial for building websites in 2025?
6 Answers
It's really essential to know the basics, whether you stick with them or move to a framework. Remember, everything is built upon HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Even if you're leaning towards Next.js, having a strong grasp of the fundamentals will only help you in the long run. Also, consider trying out simpler static site generators like Astro—those might have less complexity.
Ultimately, knowing the basics will make you a better developer. It's shocking how many people rely solely on frameworks without understanding what’s underneath. If you’re targeting the job market, knowing frameworks is great, but you need to back that up with a strong foundation. Start learning how to build simple projects, and then explore frameworks for more complex applications.
It really depends on what you want to accomplish. For certain projects, sticking with vanilla is great, but for others, frameworks like Next.js can be super helpful. I'd recommend trying both routes—build something simple first using just HTML/CSS/JS, and then try implementing a framework to see the differences in productivity and performance. You'll find what works best for you that way!
Appreciate the advice, man!
I'm curious about your background. Are you more of a beginner or looking to build complex applications? If you're leaning towards backend development, mastering HTML/CSS alongside something like Java or Go may work better. But if you're focusing on frontend skills, a solid foundation in the basics is crucial before jumping into frameworks like React or Next.js.
I'm a beginner focusing on frontend stuff, trying to build up my skills gradually.
It's a balance. While it’s important to understand the fundamentals, don’t get stuck just mastering those—you need to learn frameworks like Next.js because that’s where contemporary web development is heading. It's always better to learn just enough of the basics, then dive into the frameworks so you're ready for the modern job market.
Always start with the basics! HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are vital, and going straight to complex frameworks like Next.js might just overwhelm you. A great option is to pick up a minimalistic tool like Eleventy to ease into web development while still adding some layer of templating. It’s straightforward and you can find plenty of good tutorials to get started quickly.
Thanks for the tip!