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Discussion on: Where to start - Front-end or Full Stack Javascript?

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Ben Lovy

Also a beginner, but my $0.02 - start with your frontend. You can "fake" a backend by hardcoding some JSON to consume while you build out your functionality. Once your frontend behaves as expected you can explore generating that JSON yourself, and by that point you'll understand the shape of the problem better.

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1q3rsdfs

That makes sense. However, it says on Treehouse that it'll take me anywhere b/w 3-8 months to complete the front-end track. Not sure if it's a good use of time if what i want is to end up building stuff with javascript.

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Ben Lovy

I'm not familiar with Treehouse but it sounds thorough!

You'll absolutely learn how to use JavaScript on the frontend, but it will probably also walk you through CSS and HTML and you'll need to know all three.

JavaScript is a really versatile tool - I'd argue it doesn't really matter what part of an application you're building to learn how it works. When you're ready to hook up a backend, if you choose JavaScript you'll be applying the same exact skills just with a new framework. Instead of learning JavaScript and, e.g., Express, you just need to learn Express. The JavaScript parts are universal and you'll apply what you learn over and over again.

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1q3rsdfs

Got it. Thanks, Ben!

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Ben Lovy

You should probably listen to the other guy....he actually knows this specific program! I must have missed it when I first read your post, I thought you were talking about building an application.