I'm currently working in product design and I have plans to create my own products in the future. I want to gain some coding knowledge—not for jobs or careers but purely for myself. With the rise of AI tools that can generate code, I'm wondering if I should start from the very basics like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript? I'd like to have enough knowledge to understand any problems that might arise, even if I'm using AI to generate code. What would be a smart learning path for me to follow?
3 Answers
It's vital to learn programming without relying on AI at first. There's no shortcut here. Start with HTML, CSS, and then move to a front-end scripting language like JavaScript or TypeScript. It's also essential to understand the fundamentals of Python, focusing on objects, functions, control flow, and other key concepts. AI can assist eventually, but it won't design software or resolve unique problems on its own. That's where your critical thinking skills will come into play!
If you're looking into product creation, understanding web design is crucial. Starting with HTML and CSS will give you a solid foundation. Then you can progress to JavaScript, and when you're comfortable, dive into more complex tools like PHP or WordPress. This foundation will serve both web and app development really well!
Thanks for the advice! I'm also considering app development alongside web.
What type of products are you planning to create? Web apps, mobile apps, or something else? It's good to narrow down your focus as you start learning.
I'm planning to work on both web and app projects, taking it gradually.

Exactly! Learning these languages will help you make sense of the code AI generates.