Like many others, I have been playing around with AI, specifically
openAI's chatGPT models and their DALL-E image generator. The image
above (left) was created by DALL-E-3 - I asked it to create a
self-portrait of itself. The one on the right is its rendition of "Life
within a CPU"
Learning to write code and develop websites
I had a specific requirement at work that could best be solved with a
program. I bought a book (Learn C++ in 24 Days) and was able to learn
enough to build a successful application that solved the problem. I
wrote many more applications using C++ both for work and various hobbies
but after migrating to a Mac, my programs no longer worked. So I
re-coded them in Python and Java. The first language is the hardest -
adding new languages becomes easier since many have the same rules, just
different syntax, so Python and Java were a quick learn. I was also
playing around with HTML back in the 90s when the web and I were young.
Since then, I have picked up a little Javascript, SQL, Bootstrap and PHP
which makes for a better user experience. There are many ways to learn
to write code such as youtube,
udemy, books, and other websites
like w3schools. Try it,
you may enjoy it.
If you are wondering what language to learn, consider these points: C++
is often used for system-level programming, game development, and other
high-performance applications that require low-level control over
hardware resources, Python is used for a wide variety of applications,
including web development, data analysis, machine learning, and
scientific computing and Java is often used for large-scale enterprise
applications, mobile app development, and web development. If you can't
decide, choose Python.
If you want to learn web development, here are some things you should
consider:
HTML: This is not a programming language, but it's an essential
markup language used for creating web pages. You will need to learn
the basics of HTML, including the structure of web pages, tags, and
attributes.
CSS: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is used to style and layout web
pages. You will need to learn how to use CSS to change the colors,
fonts, layout, and other visual aspects of web pages.
JavaScript: JavaScript is a programming language that runs in web
browsers and is used for creating dynamic and interactive web pages.
You will need to learn JavaScript to add interactivity, animations,
and dynamic content to your web pages.
Server-side programming languages: In addition to client-side
languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you will also need to
learn server-side programming languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby on
Rails. These languages are used for creating web applications that
run on servers and provide dynamic content to users.
Databases: You will also need to learn how to use databases to store
and retrieve data in your web applications. Popular databases for
web development include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.
In addition to these languages and technologies, there are other skills
and tools you will need to learn to become a successful web developer,
including:
Version control: You should learn how to use version control tools
like Git to manage your code and collaborate with other developers.
Web frameworks: Web frameworks like React, Angular, and Bootstrap
can make it easier to develop complex web applications by providing
pre-built components and structures.
APIs: You should learn how to use APIs (Application Programming
Interfaces) to connect your web applications to other services and
data sources.
Testing and debugging: You will need to learn how to test and debug
your web applications to ensure they work correctly and are free of
errors.
Responsive design: You should learn how to create web pages that
work well on different devices and screen sizes, using techniques
like responsive design and media queries.
Overall, web development is a broad field that requires learning
multiple programming languages, tools, and technologies. It's important
to focus on learning the basics first and then gradually building up
your skills and knowledge.