Do you want to be a web programmer? I am a self-taught web programmer who asks a lot to programming science-educated web programmers. They give lots of guides to me about step by step that to be taken to become a web programmer. I’m trying to write a list of basic steps that you can take to become a web programmer based on my experience as a web developer. This list can help you to start a career as a web programmer. Below are the basic steps to become a web programmer / web developer:

1. Learn web programming language, to begin, of course you have to master web programming languages. And the language to be mastered is not enough only one programming language, because a web is built on several supporting factors. The languages that you need to learn to become a web programmer are:

HTML (HyperText Markup Language). It is the most fundamental and absolute web programming language to be mastered. HTML is a language for creating web interface that you see in a web browser. HTML builds web interface structures such as the header, content, menus, footer, and etc. But in creating a better view with only using HTML is not enough; you still need other languages to create a better web view.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). It is the complement for HTML language. Without CSS we will not be able to make a beautiful display of a web. CSS is a language that set the layout and appearance of the web such as background color, font, text, size, and etc. With the combination of HTML and CSS then you can make a good and beautiful website.

The web scripting languages such as Python, ASP, ColdFusion, PHP, and other scripting languages. These programming languages are the languages that we will need to use to create web applications. If HTML and CSS mentioned before are as the web view builders, then these various web scripting languages are the web application logic controllers. These languages connect our web application with database input and output processing of our application. I suggest you to choose one of the languages to be explored. I recommend you to use PHP as the language chosen, because it is the most widely used language to make web applications. With its open and free of charge, then we can easily learn and create web applications. The completeness of PHP documentation and tutorials are also so many, thus you’ll have no trouble in learning this language.

SQL. It is a database scripting language. A database is a data processing application that stores data to be used with your web application. There are various databases such as MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, and other databases. It is advisable to opt one to be explored. Although SQL is a standard scripting language database, but by studying one of the existing database scripting we will be facilitated in a storing, managing, and providing output data with the availability of the functions which will very helpful for you in working with databases.

Javascript It is a scripting language which runs in the web browser. This language is not absolutely to be learned, but if you want to create a web with animation effects, and a web with more interactive view, then the javascript will help you to done it. If we compared to flash to make a certain effect, I prefer to use Javascript. Why? Because, if we using flash, it still requires the Flash plugin installation, while by using the Javascript, it is as default supported by many modern and popular web browsers.

2. Learn the techniques of web programming cases. For example, you need to learn about how the programming that relates to date, how you can connect the web with other web applications, how to access the web’s database, and other various web programming techniques. By knowing or mastering these programming techniques and solving cases of web programming, then you can be more effective in your web application programming.

3. Learn good web development methods. You can find there are many development methods like Agile, RUP, and USDP but basically, you need to be focus on the development, analyzing, designing, and testing. Do application development with the stages above. Do the analysis of what is required by an application, and then you need to design your application first before starting the coding, doing development or coding, and testing prior to release or delivered. You can also back to the earlier steps when it needed. Importantly, set the best method for you.

4. Learning to process images. Why? Because, with using images we can deliver information faster and more effective rather than using a long description in text. Simply learn how to process images by mastering Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Fireworks which those 2 programs are the most common software used for web images. Learn how to make images such as icons, background, pattern, and other images. Actually it is not a necessity creating images for web display because it is a task that more likely done by web designers. But if you can create images for web, it will be more helpful, rather than you should ask your friend for help for your web image. 

5. Use the framework, because the framework is a set of functions and libraries which will help you to ease your programming. You can use the framework that in accordance with your programming language. For example, you can choose one among these framework: ASP by using .NET Framework. Ruby with Rails Framework, Python with the Django Framework and more PHPs like CakePHP, Symfony, the Prado, and other frameworks. Perform your research and decide the framework of your choice which one would you use and go into the framework. Don’t be too many to move the framework because you will not gain maximum benefit due to a fragmented understanding. So specify the framework of your choice according to your interests, and techniques that you like.

6. Learn techniques to optimize your application. By doing this step, thus your applications can run responsive and faster then you should be capable to do the tuning or optimization. Learn good web programming techniques, solving the problem of effective programming, database tuning and optimization, and optimization of a web server.

7. Learn the web server, because it will be very useful if you master the web server, thus you will know how to run applications on the web server. Or, how to optimize applications on a web server. For example, the use of module caching such as eAccelerator, APC, and etc. Or use .Htaccess file to make friendly URLs or more readable URLs. By learning the web server, thus you can optimize your applications and add feature on the server.

8. Learn how to use hosting control panel. By learning hosting control panel, you will be much connected with the control panel once you hire a hosting control panel to host your web. Control panel is widely used are such as CPanel, ISPConfig, and so on. By knowing the use of the control panel, then you can optimize your application on your web hosting provider.

9. Follow the recent web technology developments. Web technology is always evolving as the emergence of the technology of RSS , podcasting, and other technologies. Study how to make and apply these technologies in your applications. Because outdated applications users will be left behind as well.

10. Study project management. An application development is the project which need to be set, planned, and done well. By learning project management, then you will be able in doing collaboration with others in developing applications. You may also gain effectiveness and time efficiency in finishing a project.

11. Improve your ability. To improve you ability or skill in we programming / web developing, always sharpening your ability to do web application, either work or personal projects. Because, the more and more applications you create then you will have better skill. Develop your idea and realized into an application.

12. Lastly, do not be shy to always be a web developer who only works on other projects. You need to create an application that can be used as a product or service as a manifestation of your skill. You can sell these products and services, thus you can get the benefits of your ability and enjoy the results. If we compared with other developers working on projects constantly and pay-per-project will certainly be better if you work on a product but you get the results kept on the condition of your products have a good selling point.

That’s the 12 basic steps to become a web programmer based on my experience. Above steps is not enough, those steps are just the basic steps only. I hope the above list can be the guide for you and can even make you a better web developer. You need to continue to study and practice a lot and always receive the existing development in order to maintain your abilities honed.