Should I learn HTML, CSS & Javascript before Python?
Posted by Massive_Confusion582@reddit | learnprogramming | View on Reddit | 26 comments
Hello everyone!
I was hoping someone could help me with my question. I started coding in my spare time (1 month in), and found it enjoyable. During this time, I have been doing a coding course (free) called "The Odin Project." During this course, I learned about HTML, CSS, and very little JavaScript, about 68%+ in the course. I don't know if I should keep on going with the project. Or drop it, and go for Python. I really want to code things like bots and such (Don't even know if you can say that)
What would you recommend? And do you have any advice on Python/coding in general, such as videos, books, or what you did to learn it?
Much appreciated the help!
Overall-Worth-2047@reddit
If you’re already 68% through The Odin Project, don't drop it now. Switching languages mid-stream is a classic trap that keeps people in "tutorial hell" without ever actually shipping anything. Finish the JavaScript section so you understand how the web works, then pivot to Python for your bots; the logic you learn in JS translates almost 1:1 to Python anyway. For bot building, Python is definitely the move because the libraries are so much better, but having that frontend foundation means you can actually build a dashboard or interface for your bots later.
DrShocker@reddit
Why suggest pivoting to Python for the bots? most APIs for entry level stuff will probably have SDK wrappers in both languages.
Massive_Confusion582@reddit (OP)
Damn, don't know what you're saying. Can you explain it in simple terms, hahaha
spinwizard69@reddit
In simple terms the language you will be using depends upon what you are doing. If you are doing systems level programming it might be RUST or C. KDE apps might mean C++. A data analysis might use Python.
Beyond all of that the reason I suggest starting out with a lowish level language like C++ is that it can ease you into what those sentences mean. With C++ you can start slow and low level at the command line eventually learning what linking is and how libs can be added to your code.
DrShocker@reddit
People write functions to make it easier to interact with lots of the same things in both languages basically.
spinwizard69@reddit
HTML and CSS, have little to do with programming in a traditional sense. They are used for page description. You can learn these anytime you want in parallel with a more traditional language is not a problem. JavaScript is a programming environment originally designed for web browsers embedded in web pages. I would not bother with JavaScript until you have made some progress in a CS program.
So what am I saying? Simple if you want to program, follow a decent CS program that focuses on concepts. Ideally that course starts with C++. Get the basics down, the concepts that is and you can pick up any programming language fairly fast. Do this to the equivalent of 3-4 semesters and you can easily pick up Python and JavaScript. Which language you focus on will depend upon which direction you go in. If Macs are in your future that language might be Swift.
immediate_push5464@reddit
No
ImpactSweet6516@reddit
I would do HTML, CSS, and JS first then move to react. this will allow you to understand frontend websites and some backend stuff first, then do python which is then the backend stuff for a website. this is what i did and im just fine.
genserismyname@reddit
what about django?
ImpactSweet6516@reddit
I mean you could its a good high-end language for a substitute for Python
genserismyname@reddit
from your point of view, is it more worth learning django or react?
ImpactSweet6516@reddit
Depends on what you want to focus on backend logic or frontend user interfaces. Django is good for backend while React is better for the Frontend so it really just depends on the project your making.
AncientHominidNerd@reddit
HTML and css with js is primarily a web design skillset. It’s not regular programming. Python is a regular programming language. I’d suggest finishing the project then learning Python after. It’ll be good to have both under your belt.
Gresliebear@reddit
Just do what is enjoyable i started with HTML and then JS then react.
I learned python later but general advice is get good at one language first and then start expanding in others because the ideas of programming can be similar but not 1 for 1. Like I move between using python , Javascript if I am building fullstack.
Massive_Confusion582@reddit (OP)
Thanks a lot for the advice. I'm having a little hard time understanding the CSS part with box-model, padding, margin, and such. Do you have any advice in general on understanding CSS?
Gresliebear@reddit
For me the break through was
Was hitting the inspections tool on Google chrome and highlighting the components like a button and then adjusting elements of padding, margin, etc until I understood them intuitively.
I think react can be hard for new people to understand buts its also great at refreshing everytime you make code change to help you understand quicker what that change was.
Its honestly through like making really shitty websites after website, project after project that it became more intuitive. However that is just my learning style is brute force.
Another big leap was just playing with different windows sizes learing the logic of CSS required to format elements on phones and laptops of different sizes.
Massive_Confusion582@reddit (OP)
Thanks a lot for the great advice! I will try to use the inspections tool to get a better understanding.
GonzoKata@reddit
Python then HTML/Javascript then CSS
you'll have to learn a bit of HTML in order to use javascript
Pure_Relationship809@reddit
Keep going with The Odin Project! The full-stack JavaScript path is excellent and gives you a real working mental model of how the web works. Python is great, but the two are complementary — there's no wrong order. If you're 68% through and enjoying it, finishing what you started is a great habit to build. Web dev skills (HTML/CSS/JS) also tend to open doors to jobs faster since frontend is highly visible. Python will still be there when you're done, and picking up a second language becomes much easier once you're solid in one.
Massive_Confusion582@reddit (OP)
Sounds nice! I don't know if you have done the Odin Project, but I'm having a little trouble understanding things with box model, block and inline stuff atm.
ValerianBorn8785@reddit
I believe you should finish up with the course, python is good for automation, but programming generally is built on some basic principles that you could pick from finishing the odin's project, it would also go far in improving your discipline in finishing projects, because trust me, you would get tired of some projects and might want to drop them, but if you are disciplined enough you would see it through.
Then, while learning python, without a course or even with, i believe you should get a project you want to work on and you are willing to see through, it would really help your programming skills.
Massive_Confusion582@reddit (OP)
I hear a lot about Python being used for creating bots and so on. If you want, can you explain it in simple terms?
DrShocker@reddit
please clarify what you're unsure you're allowed to say because making bots seems like a reasonable goal.
Nothing you've described requires Python over JS/TS. I'd suggest sticking with JS because being able to make visual interactive things is neat and easier to distribute if you do web frontend.
People write reddit or discord bots either Python or JS all the time, at the end of the day they're just slightly different ways to express instructions to the computer. So, I'd stick with JS in your shoes until I feel confident I could do a bot in it, and then consider another language after having 1 in my belt rather than hopping before I'm familiar with coding in general.
Massive_Confusion582@reddit (OP)
I wasn't sure if that was the right phrase or if you could say it that way. English is not my first language, haha. But I guess I'm gonna finish "The Odin Project" first before moving over to Python.
waffleassembly@reddit
HTML and CSS are are so easy learn. You could easily be up and building web pages in a day if that's what you really want but that won't help much with learning programming.
JavaScript and Python have significantly different syntax styles so they might overlap in a bad way and leave you confused. It would be better in my opinion to get a good handle on python if you want to learn actual programming. JS is pretty limited compared to what you can do with python. But also, if you study python and get to a point where you understand how programming works, picking up JS will be no problem (if that's what you really want to do.
MostAttorney1701@reddit
I startred with HTML AND CSS before JS(in a way)
I would advise continue with it and the JS.
Because if you've got the js stuff before python it'll help ya