When it comes to learning web development, should you learn HTML or CSS first? HTML and CSS are both are important technologies to know, but they serve different purposes.
This article will help you decide if you should learn HTML or CSS first and give you some examples of when learning either language would be best and the best answer if you want to become a front-end web developer.
When should you learn HTML first?
HTML is the foundation of any website. You should learn HTML if you want to build a website from scratch or want to understand how websites are built.
HTML is also a good language to learn if you are new to coding because it is a relatively simple language. HTML is also the language responsible for every web page’s site structure, so it is a valuable skill to have.
Learning HTML will also help you if you want to learn about web accessibility. Accessibility is the practice of making websites usable by people with disabilities. HTML is a good foundation for learning about accessibility because it lays out the basic structure of a website.
Benefits of learning HTML first?
Some of the benefits of learning HTML first include:
- It is a relatively easy language to learn.
- You will have a basic understanding of how websites are built.
- You will be able to build websites from scratch.
- You will understand how to make your websites accessible.
When should you learn CSS first?
CSS is used to style HTML elements. You should learn CSS if you want to change the appearance of a website or want to create a custom design.
CSS is also necessary for responsive design. Responsive design is creating websites that look good on all devices, from desktop computers to smartphones. CSS is essential for responsive design because it allows you to change the size and layout of a website based on the device it is being viewed on.
You should learn CSS first if you already have or want a job focused on website design, specifically the more cosmetic or decorative elements of design, also known as the user interface (UI). People in this field are often referred to as UI designers.
Benefits of learning CSS first?
Some of the benefits of learning CSS first include:
- You will be able to change the appearance of a website.
- You will be able to create custom designs.
- You will be able to create websites that look good on all devices through media queries
When should you learn both HTML and CSS?
There is no definitive answer to when you should learn both HTML and CSS. However, there are a few situations where it can be especially helpful.
Learning both HTML and CSS is particularly useful when you want to become a web developer. As a web developer, you will need to be able to code in both HTML and CSS to create and design websites.
Another situation where learning HTML and CSS can be helpful is if you want to become a web designer. As a web designer, you will need to be able to create designs for websites, and coding in HTML and CSS will allow you to do that.
If you are wondering what the difference between a web developer and a web designer is. A web developer is responsible for the coding and functionality of a website, while a web designer is responsible for the overall look and feel of the website. A web developer may be involved in designing the layout and functionality of a website, but typically they will not be as skilled in design as a web designer.
If you want to become a web developer or a web designer, learning both HTML and CSS is a good idea. However, if you are not interested in either of those careers, you may not need to learn both languages.
If you are starting out, irrespective of why you want to learn to code, I personally recommend learning HTML first, you can learn more about why in this article.
Can you learn HTML and CSS together?
That is a question that comes up a lot when people start their coding journey. I know I asked it myself, so here is my answer.
Yes, it is possible to learn HTML and CSS together. However, don’t try to learn everything at once. This is a recipe for disaster, as learning everything at once is impossible. When you are first starting out, focus on one thing at a time. For example, get a solid grasp of HTML and the basic document structure before diving into CSS.
That said, some things are best learned together. HTML and CSS are two of those things. When you learn HTML, you learn about the structure of a web page. When you learn CSS, you learn how to style that page using colours, fonts, and other properties.
By learning HTML and CSS together, you will be able to create well-structured pages that look great too. This is important, as having well-structured and styled pages will make your website look professional and polished, which will be great for your portfolio when it comes to that stage of your journey.
I touch on more reasons why you should learn HTML and CSS together and why I think it is the best way to start in this article. With HTML and CSS, you will be creating beautiful, well-styled pages in no time!
Conclusion
Some things just go together like a hand in a glove, and HTML and CSS are two of those things. Yes, you can learn each language independently, but you will increase your skill set, understanding of programming, future work opportunities, and salary expectations by learning both.
If you are wondering if it is possible and how long it will take. I learned HTML and CSS together, so I can tell you it is 100% possible, and it only took me 9 hours to learn HTML from scratch. Find out exactly what I did in those 9 hours, with my exact learning path here.
Stay dedicated, keep learning and keep coding!
