WordPress is one of the go-to platforms for companies wanting to put up a website. It is easy to use and is something that most users are able to effectively work with. However, being great at WordPress requires a different level of knowledge and skill. With web development skills in such high demand, it’s easy to see why you might want to dedicate your efforts into honing your web development skills as well as to learn how to effectively use the many available web development tools that are part of the platform.
However, the sheer number of programming languages can easily make it seem like a daunting task, especially when you consider that there are many factors that would determine which programming language you need to use.
So, what are the programming languages that aspiring web developers need to learn in order to competently develop websites on WordPress?
HTML
While it’s true that HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is not a programming language, it is regarded as the skeleton of each and every website on the internet. At its most basic, HTML is responsible for what users see on your website. It holds some of the most basic concepts in web development, and not knowing these basics is one of the quickest ways to get rejected from a web development role.
CSS
Like HTML, CSS (cascading style sheet) is a mark-up language that puts a heavy focus on aesthetics. After all, one of the most important characteristics of a good website is that it should be pleasing to the eye. CSS allows developers to do just that by giving them the ability to move, stack, and shape web elements with a lot of precision. CSS works in conjunction with HTML to create many of the WordPress themes as well as many websites that you see.
PHP
This is a general purpose programming language that is widely used for web development. This is primarily because PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor) can be easily embedded into HTML and this allows programmers to jump in and out of PHP mode. The best part about PHP is that it is simple enough for a beginner, but also packs a slew of advanced features and tools that experienced programmers would be able to put to good use.
JavaScript
Initially, JavaScript was created with an emphasis on front end development as well as user interaction. Through the years, it has grown in both popularity and in function in the sense that it has since been adopted by many website builders and it has also evolved into a complete programming language. This means that it is now used for both front-end and back-end web design.
WordPress Development Paths You Can Take
So, knowing about the different programming languages should definitely give you an idea of what to focus on, but in order to put these languages to optimal use, it’s also important to know what path you’re planning to take in regard to WordPress development. There are three paths you can take:
Theme Development
Theme development is the most common path that developers take because of the fact that it is the foundation of learning WordPress development. It is an excellent first step because it makes use of all three of the core development languages (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) and it allows aspiring developers to get a holistic perspective of how all these components fit together.
Plugin Development
Once you’ve been able to get a good grasp of PHP, you might want to consider delving into plugin development. Not many beginners even attempt to delve into plugin development because of the fact that it involves a lot of problem-solving, and only those who have a good grasp of PHP are able to solve these problems. However, even though plugin development is a difficult aspect of WordPress development, the true appeal lies in the fact that there are almost no limitations to what you can do if you’re able to master plugin development.
Software Development
Now, if plugin development becomes a task that is too easy for you, you might want to delve deeper into the development of WordPress software. As you might already imagine, this requires a great deal of skill and PHP experience.
If you haven’t mastered these programming languages yet, there are many ways to learn them. You can choose from a multitude of courses and online classes that tackle the use of these tools and you can also bolster your knowledge in these topics by listening to a programming podcast. Whichever the case is, because so many businesses are opting to create an online presence, you’re bound to find clients as a web designer. This is especially true for businesses that have grown tired of using Shopify and they now opt to make a legitimate website for their brand. If you want to be a WordPress developer, now is the right time.
