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When i started building websites, which was around 1998, i didn't realize i was embarking on a long-term journey. More than that, i didn't know people would eventually assume i wasn't a coder/programmer simply because i designed websites. Last year, i took a class in which we had to build a website using HTML and Javascript. To me, it was pretty much the daily work that i'm used to do, but to a lot of colleagues it was a new thing. I heard a lot of people saying HTML isn't for me, this is for designers. I'm a programmer.
, and that made me think about how i considered myself. For some reason, the issue awoke in me today.
Pretty much all of the websites i've been a part of in the past were done on my own, so i had to do all the work. Designing, image-editing and coding the needed scripts which were in Javascript at first, but later i started working with PHP, MySQL, etc. (check my bio). So now i'm a bit trained in all those areas, although, i don't see myself neither as an accomplished designer, nor a very hardcore coder. I've never went to school to learn about design and image-editing, but i have been taught to program in various languages both in high-school (Pascal, C) and lately in the University (Haskell, Java, Prolog). I've also learned a couple other languages on the side.
I do believe it is possible to be both a webdesigner and a coder at the same time, although, it's a tough job excelling in both areas.
Some people are capable of creating great designs and writing stunning server-side coding, such as Mr. Inman and Mr. Orchard (just to name a couple). But i'm not like those guys, i'm a mere wannabe-designer and an average programmer, so i'll stay in my little corner, reading, learning, absorbing as much as i can, both design and code-wise. Later, depending on the roads i choose in the future, some of this might prove to be helpful in some way. At least, i hope so.
Now, if possible, i'd like to know a bit more about my "audience" – I know you're there, i see the statistics. ;) How do you see yourself? A designer, a coder, both or none of that?
Yoel Roth on sun, 25 sep 2005 17:41
meechwings on sun, 25 sep 2005 21:12
I've realized that I'm not that good of a coder (sites like yours make me realize I have a LOT to learn, still), and I'm not artistic enough to be a designer, so I'd say I'm a mere wannabe-designer and a beginning programmer. Oi, that's probably not good, seeing as I'll need a real job in a year.....
andr3 on mon, 26 sep 2005 04:32
Man, i always saw you as a webdesigner, given the layouts you produce. ;) The issue just shows you're a perfectionist and you have time. If you were in a tight schedule you'd probably have to lower the quality, but still make an impressive layout.
@meechwings:
i just noticed, the only time i write "meech" these days, is when i'm replying to you :P hehe
Hey, what do you mean ? It's not that hard to put together a custom built CMS, all you need is time. Believe me. ;) But thanks, i'll take that as a compliment.
About the job... Even though i love the web and it's been my hobby since forever, i think what's going to really help me getting a job will be my computer eng. formation. You'll be alright, i'm sure. :)
meechwings on mon, 26 sep 2005 10:06
I think you're right about the engineering thing - considering how much the web changes every day, it's going to be the engineering that's more stable....
Hayds on tue, 27 sep 2005 01:46
andr3 on tue, 27 sep 2005 02:28
Sure you can do those things as well. Just put your mind into it and go for it! Read some articles, do some tests, and you'll get there.
And yes, the web is ever-changing and even though that happens pretty much everywhere in the computer world, the web seems to be morphing at an unusual fast pace. But people are still getting rich on the internet, and that's one thing that will never change --- i guess. ;)
@Hayds:
Hey man! :) Thanks, and nice to see you around.
The term is indeed subjective. There are various levels of programmers, but what i find odd is when people assume you can't code anything outside of a browser if you do stuff in the browser, you know what i mean?
But in terms of the web, that really depends on your team. If you have a graphic designer with webdesigning abilities, it'll probably be smart to leave the php programmer to do what he knows best.
I believe the bottom line here is... i think a lot of people can do all these tasks, specially if you're building websites for fun -- as i've been --, but it is very hard to become excellent in both areas. Simply because people tend to dedicate more time reading and learning to what they love the most. If you split that time in half (webdesign and programming), you'll end up with less time for each part.
Another question worth discussing is whether writing (X)HTML/CSS should be considered coding or not.
meechwings on tue, 27 sep 2005 07:32
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