[Web4lib] Qualifications for a Web Designer/Developer

[Thomas Rutter]

> Is it safe to say that
> having a good understanding of what these web programming languages
> can do is sufficient or should one become a proficient programmer?

Being a proficient programmer would certainly be helpful, and to be a 'web developer' it will be mandatory.  But you can start off with a good understanding of and experience with web based markup ie XHTML and CSS.

A 'web developer' should have proven experience in developing web applications using a programming languages such as one of C#, VB.NET, PHP, Ruby or Perl.  They should also have experience using SQL and administering a database such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL or PostgreSQL.  Optionally they should be able to write Apache configuration scripts (like .htaccess) or configure IIS.  My background as a web developer is with the PHP programming language, MySQL database and Apache web server.  A web developer should also demonstrate a thorough understanding of HTML, XHTML _and_ CSS, with optional experience in Javascript and Actionscript.  Any web developer who is placed in a senior position should have a good ability to write project specifications, requirements and proposals and otherwise act as a project manager.

A 'web designer' does not necessarily have the programming and database skills of a web developer, but a little bit of understanding helps as a web designer may be required to work on the same project as a developer.  A web designer should have a good eye for design; some sort of graphic or multimedia design background may be good.  A web designer should demonstrate a thorough understanding of HTML, XHTML _and_ CSS, and experience using them in projects.  Programming skills in Javascript and Actionscript (for Flash) are highly recommended but not mandatory.  A web designer should be able to edit bare HTML and CSS code with or without the use of Dreamweaver.

You may want to begin with XHTML and CSS.  HTML, XHTML, CSS and Javascript are languages that all web professionals should know and will benefit from.  Once you go beyond that into web development, or the other direction into multimedia design such as Flash, then you can specialise more.

> I am also very curious about new and emerging technologies such as
> RSS, wikis, blogs, podcasting, etc, and try my best to find some
> freebie software to test each of them out.

I'd encourage you to do so - good luck!

-- 

 
Thomas Rutter
Library Web Coordinator, Information Resources
Swinburne University of Technology
Melbourne VIC Australia
Email: trutter at swin.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9214 4885


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