As a beginner, getting started with frontend development can be overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered.
FreeCodeCamp offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with interactive coding challenges and projects to help you practice and build your portfolio.
Whether you're a complete newbie or looking to upskill, these courses can help you get started with frontend development without breaking the bank.
Free Courses
You can find a multitude of free guides and written introductions to programming online, including ones by big tech companies like Mozilla.
Their frontend web development guide is a useful resource for learning.
Free web development courses don't require a serious commitment, so you can try several out to find the one that suits you best.
Khan Academy is an extremely useful learning site that covers a variety of subjects, including computer programming.
It features self-guided tutorials with experts providing audio and/or video guidance, and interactive on-screen windows show code and output results during narration.
The great introduction to the SQL database engine includes guided narration and even personal challenges that ask you to write SQL yourself to perform simple tasks.
Course Details
The courses on this list are designed to be completed at your own pace, with some taking as little as 4 hours to finish, while others may take up to 6 months to complete.
FreeCodeCamp's course, for example, is a non-profit organization that offers a comprehensive curriculum in web development, including HTML/CSS, JavaScript, and React.
You can expect to learn the basics of HTML/CSS in just a few hours, which is perfect for beginners who want to get started with frontend development quickly.
The course also covers more advanced topics like responsive design and accessibility, which are essential for building websites that work well on all devices.
Some courses, like Coursera's specialization in Front-End Web Development, offer a more structured approach with a set schedule and deadlines, which can be helpful for those who need a bit more motivation.
Course Features
The courses on this list offer a range of features to help you learn frontend development.
Each course includes interactive coding exercises that allow you to practice your skills. These exercises are designed to be completed at your own pace, making it easy to fit learning into your busy schedule.
The courses also provide detailed video lessons that cover the basics of frontend development, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Cost
Trying out a free web development course can be a great way to test the waters, and one of the main reasons is the cost.
Free courses are often a taster of larger paid programs, so providers are trying to educate and impress you at the same time.
This means you can try out a course, see if it's for you, and then decide if you want to invest in a paid course.
If you don't like a free course, you can walk away with no regrets and a full wallet, which is a great feeling.
By trying a free course first, you can save money and avoid wasting it on a course that's not right for you.
The best part is, you can always pay for a course later if you find it's something you enjoy and want to continue learning.
Course Highlights:
This course covers the basics of web development, and one of the key highlights is its focus on practical skills. You'll learn how to write conditional and looping logic, which is essential for building dynamic websites.
The course also includes a section on debugging JavaScript, which is a crucial skill for any web developer. This will help you identify and fix errors in your code.
One of the most exciting aspects of this course is its emphasis on interaction with HTML. You'll learn how to work with HTML elements and create engaging user experiences.
Object creation is another key topic covered in the course. By mastering this skill, you'll be able to build complex data structures and models.
Here are some of the key skills you'll learn in this course:
- Writing conditional and looping logic
- Debugging JavaScript
- Interact with HTML
- Object creation
HTML5 and CSS3
HTML5 and CSS3 are essential tools for web development. This is because they are the most up-to-date versions of both technologies.
You can learn HTML5 and CSS3 through a free Udemy course, which is one of the best on the market. It covers the basics of both technologies in over five hours of video, broken into 35 bite-sized pieces.
The course starts from the very beginning, so you don't need any prior knowledge or special tools. You'll work section-by-section to construct a web page out of code.
Some key topics covered in this course include HTML tags, how to use CSS3 elsewhere online, and coding best practices. These are all essential skills to have in your toolkit as a web developer.
Here are some key features of this course:
- HTML tags
- How to use CSS3 elsewhere online
- Coding best practices
Progressive Web Apps
Google's web.dev site is a great resource for learning about Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). They offer a free course that takes you from the basics of what PWAs are to how to build, test, and debug them.
To get started with this course, it's recommended that you have a grounding in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Their course covers important topics such as app design installability, enhancing your PWA, and PWA architecture.
Here are some key topics you can expect to learn about in this course:
- App design installability
- Enhancing your PWA
- PWA architecture
Technical Skills
JavaScript is a language worth learning, especially for frontend development. This is because it's used to create those little pop-ups that appear on webpages, which can be both useful and annoying.
Clocking in at just under five hours, there's a free web development course that gives you a gentle introduction to JavaScript. This course focuses on getting you to understand how to use JavaScript on the frontend (client-side), rather than backend (server-side) development.
JavaScript Fundamentals
Learning JavaScript Fundamentals is a great place to start, especially for newbies. This free web development course is a great resource, clocking in at just under five hours.
It gives you a gentle introduction to the world of JavaScript, which is well worth learning. You'll soon be able to create those annoying pop-ups that appear on webpages.
JavaScript is a language that's used on the frontend (client-side) of websites, not just for backend (server-side) development. This course focuses on teaching you how to use JavaScript on the frontend.
It's a great starting point for anyone looking to learn web development, and it's free!
Node.js and Express.js
Learning Node.js and Express.js is a game-changer for web development. This skillset is in high demand, which means full-stack developer salaries are impressively high.
You'll be able to code in the same language on the backend, opening doors to more opportunities. Creating web applications will become much smoother.
It's essential to learn Vanilla JavaScript first, as using frameworks like Node.js and Express.js without a solid foundation can create more work later on. You'll save time and effort by learning the basics first.
To become a full-stack web developer, you should learn Node.js and Express.js. This Udemy course is a great resource, broken into 10 sections that introduce you to these important JavaScript frameworks.
Here are some key topics you'll cover in this course:
- Handling POST data
- Deploying a full-stack web application
- Rendering dynamic data
Choosing a Course
Your time commitment will play a big role in choosing a free frontend development course.
You'll need to consider how much time you have to dedicate to learning, as some courses may require a serious commitment.
You can try several courses out to find the one that's right for you, like finding the perfect bed in Goldilocks-style.
Mozilla, creators of the Firefox browser, have a useful frontend web development guide that's worth checking out.
Free courses don't have to break the bank, as you can often find them online without any cost.
Reading can be a passive learning style that may turn out to be a bit of a slog for some people.
Borrowing from a friend or your local library can be a way to access books on frontend development without the upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I learn front-end on my own?
Yes, you can learn front-end development on your own with online resources and practice. Self-study is a viable path to becoming a front-end developer, but be prepared to put in the time and effort to build your skills.
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