Thursday, August 20, 2009

Framework Agnostic Web Languages



After a great time at a language agnostic conference this past weekend (I don't have pictures, I got a new camera and I forgot to bring it. I was so mad) I've gotten to thinking about framework agnostic languages. The ones you need to know whether you're a Python, C#, Ruby, or Java developer. I came up with the following list:



  • HTML

  • XML

  • Javascript (JQuery, Prototype, YUI...etc)

  • Querying languages (SQL, MySQL, Oracle)

  • Regex (syntax, not language)


My point is, while it is important to be focused on whatever web framework we currently are working with these languages are a staple to our success. For the past few days I've been playing with Python, and so far I really like it. Say I wanted to switch from .NET, I would still be heavily working with these agnostic languages. 


This is why even though I may not be heavily into writing custom HTML/css I am still paying rapt attention to the HTML 5 / css 3 advances. Unless I decide to become a Doctor or a Fireman I will be no doubt referencing them for a long time. These languages have proven their worth by staying around since the beginning of the internet (when I was a wee lass) and I doubt they have any intention of leaving anytime soon.


Any good web developer should be extremely comfortable with any one of these fab 5. If you're worth your salt you know  that while you may not consistantly use these, your work will consistantly need to communicate on one of these levels, so it's important to know what's happening on the other side. 


I would even go as far to say that if you are a web developer the most important thing you can do is learn Javascript. I never used to make it a priority, and since I have my apps have improved dozens of times over. I hate doing anything in my controllers now. This too may pass, and I can't say that everyone should share my overzealousness.


Here are some great references for info about these framework agnostic languages. 




I realize my list is shamefully short, have any you would recommend?



Posted by at
Labels:

12 comments:

  1. Raleigh BucknerJune 30, 2010 at 6:27 AM

    http://www.alistapart.com : Covers HTML, JavaScript, CSS, etc. - pretty much everything front-end web.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rachel DonovanJune 30, 2010 at 6:27 AM

    http://www.w3schools.com/ is a good starting point for HTML, CSS, and JS

    ReplyDelete
  3. JP TotoJune 30, 2010 at 6:27 AM

    This is especially true if you're a .NET MVC developer. I guess that goes w/o saying. If people (hopefully) start to move away from webforms these agnostic languages (and their frameworks - jQuery) will be more and more relevant.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gene DeClarkJune 30, 2010 at 6:27 AM

    HTML, XML, query languages, Regex, no problem. Except for HTML, I work with these pretty much daily.
    But I have to confess a profound hatred of Javascript. My mortal enemy, that which causes me horrible stress-related ailments over simple typos, that which bitterly disappoints me when I require more than one execution thread.
    I really need to call an armistice and spend some time finding the tools I need to make working with Javascript less painful. But I do hate it so, and I don't find myself very motivated to do so....

    ReplyDelete
  5. Christopher BennageJune 30, 2010 at 6:27 AM

    Perhaps you include this in Javascript, but I tend to think of JSON separately.
    Diverging just slightly from your point, I've begun to explore things from other stacks that I can reuse. The best example so far is Sass (http://sass-lang.com/). It's an abstraction over css. It was built for RoR, but it wasn't hard for me to get it working with ASP.NET MVC (blog post coming).

    ReplyDelete
  6. rolex submarinerSeptember 1, 2010 at 6:01 PM

    That is a truly fantastic piece of work.

    ReplyDelete
  7. nfl jerseysOctober 12, 2010 at 2:38 AM

    just wanted to let you know I enjoy reading your blog and hope you will continue writing them for a long time to come.

    ReplyDelete
  8. supra shoesOctober 29, 2010 at 6:51 PM

    Great and very insightful posting. Awesome list of recommendations.Thanks a lot for this.Write really good, I feel so cool to see the next time you see your new article.

    ReplyDelete
  9. christian louboutinNovember 1, 2010 at 10:26 AM

    It is really a great visual and soul feat for me after reading you blog.

    ReplyDelete
  10. air yeezyNovember 7, 2010 at 9:01 AM

    I like this concept. I visited your blog for the first time and just been..

    ReplyDelete
  11. doris2010January 4, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    I would even go as far to say that if you are a web developer the most important thing you can do is learn Javascript. I never used to make it a priority, and since I have my apps have improved dozens of times over. I hate doing anything in my controllers now. This too may pass, and I can't say that everyone should share my overzealousness.
    http://www.mbtusasale.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. doris2010January 4, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    After a great time at a language agnostic conference this past weekend (I don't have pictures, I got a new camera and I forgot to bring it. I was so mad) I've gotten to thinking about framework agnostic languages. The ones you need to know whether you're a Python, C#, Ruby, or Java developer. I came up with the following list: http://www.uggsaleaustralia.com

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)