Any programmers here?

[marshbrewer]

Although I work in IT, I'm an infrastructure dude rather than a software chap, and know very little about modern programming. I used to code in my ZX spectrum, bit that's about it.

I want to try my hand at programming for hobby purposes - mysql backend / browser based front end sort of thing.

I'm thinking this lends itself to php, but am thinking that might be a bit old hat now. So I need the programming equivalent of the home brew forum where I can ask daft questions like this without annoying professional programmers.

Any ideas?

 

[prog99]

I’m a scripting/ devops developer so probably not the best person to ask. However I maintain a website and dabble a bit outside of my day job.

Php is still very popular although it’s easy to write dire code with dodgy vulnerabilities. It’s banned at my work by the way!

It’s really worthwhile learning one of the popular frameworks to make life easier. Ive used bootstrap outside of work which simplifies your frontend no end also you’ll still need to know css, HTML and JavaScript. I get really lost with css , it’s like some sort of voodoo at times.

not much help really, at work other folk do the work whilst I make sure it deploys smoothly.

 

[foxbat]

For what you're looking to do I'd advise learning javascript and applying that knowledge to a modern framework like React for your front end and Node for the back end.

When it comes to deploying your masterpiece on the internet there are free and very cheap services available so you don't have to open part of your home firewall to the internet with the hazards that entails.

 

[prog99]

Yes, react seems to be in vogue at our place. As is serverless cloud deployments of your masterpiece.

 

[Hopperty]

although I haven't done so for many years and can write a fair bit in VBA Javascript PHP mysql etc. I don't have any access to web space so probably could't help muuch with php/mysql - but would love to help with vba, javascript. I have always enjoyed writing a bit of code, far more interesting than suduko/crosswords

 

[chthon]

Well, I am a professional software engineer by day, for me there are no daft questions, only daft prejudices. However, the latter are often more damaging.

The languages actually don't matter. All modern languages contain approximately the same possibilities: variations on arrays, dictionaries and record types. Of course, for front-end web development you will probably use a framework, which is a library on top of Javascript.

And read this first. Good insights.

 

[aamcle]

Get yourself Raspberry Pi and dig in :)

Aamcle

 

[cushyno]

For what you're looking to do I'd advise learning javascript and applying that knowledge to a modern framework like React for your front end and Node for the back end.

When it comes to deploying your masterpiece on the internet there are free and very cheap services available so you don't have to open part of your home firewall to the internet with the hazards that entails.

I second this.
JavaScript, while it can be quirky at times is the real language of the internet. Ubiquitous in the browser, can also provide your entire backend server too.

It's a steep learning curve especially if you aren't familiar with event driven code, but it is a good investment.

I designed the architecture for a mobile app for my place of employment a few years ago, with JavaScript throughout. Also coded much of the server side web services in JavaScript (node).

Cordova allows you to turn web pages created in HTML+JavaScript into a mobile apps too.

If you're looking to learn skills for employability, C# .Net or Java are always in demand.

 

[marshbrewer]

Thanks folks. I think I'll give JavaScript a whirl. I spent last night reacquainting myself with mysql, and quite enjoyed it.

Just to clarify, this is purely for a hobby to keep the grey matter turning, not for anything professional.

Unless I come up with the next killer app that takes the world by storm, making me a billionaire, which would be nice.

 

[prog99]

Get yourself Raspberry Pi and dig in :)

Aamcle

You can also have a play on amazon aws, azure etc for free with some restrictions.

 

[prog99]

Something I've been playing around with. Mysql/php at the backend and javascript to do the rendering with the google charts api. You won't see the php code as it executes on the server.
https://www.smc.org.uk/hills/comp_graph.php

The code isn't the best example of how to do things by the way... And compleations is the correct spelling in this context.

 

[dad_of_jon]

You can also have a play on amazon aws, azure etc for free with some restrictions.

ms do a personal edition sql thats free. :-)

 

[prog99]

Forgot to add. If you want to explore c++ (shudder...) then javidx9 has a really good youtube channel. Its worth watching (if you are a programmer) even if you don't want to program in it, he has such a good style.

 

[Hopperty]

Something I've been playing around with. Mysql/php at the backend and javascript to do the rendering with the google charts api. You won't see the php code as it executes on the server.
https://www.smc.org.uk/hills/comp_graph.php

The code isn't the best example of how to do things by the way... And compleations is the correct spelling in this context.

Has munroing went out of popularity or do people just not register now ? from your chart it seemed to be at its height when I completed back in 2007

I can't remember doing so but I must have contributed to that site - there is a picture of me and my little story - I looked a lot young - lol

 

[prog99]

We're obviously going off track now but it shows how its best to code up something you are interested in.

@Hopperty lots of folk don't register so the true numbers will never be known but the trends are quite interesting.