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Just getting started in web development

1 points by bobby_jonez ↗ HN
I am just starting out in web development and have kind of hit a roadblock as to which direction I should go, and was hoping that maybe some of you experienced folk might be able to offer some advice.

Over the past few months I've taught myself html, css, javascript, ajax and I also have a pretty good handle on jquery framework.

I am interested in building client side web apps, but I'm not really sure if I should dedicate some time to learning php, or mysql or some other server side language.

My goal is to eventually do this stuff full time as a freelancer.

It would be nice to take the skills I've developed so far and start building something or possibly get some work, but it really seems like some knowledge of a server side language is necessary to make that leap.

Any advice?

3 comments

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dutchrapley
Take the skills you have and look for a job, preferably for a company doing client work. You can use what you know now to apply a designer's design as a cms template. Chances are, they'll have developers on staff that you can learn from to get into development. The reason I say to look for a company that's doing client work is that it'll give you exposure to working on a large array of solutions you wouldn't get otherwise. That exposure will come in handy when you go freelance.
wetblanket
Don't think in terms of skills. Think projects you would like to see realized. Go from there (and good luck on your new career!)