Which languages to learn to build simple cool website?

[imivvi]

Hi All,

Could anyone advise what kind of programming languages I need to learn to build simple
versions of these kind of sites?:

http://www.secondstory.com/
http://www.boldking.com/
http://www.toybox.co.nz/
http://combadi.com/
http://designshopp.com/


By a simple version I mean, to look as cool as these sites, however without any shops or special
interactions with visitors. I only would like the page to have company description, image gallery and
possibility to submit contact details. However; it must look great!

Also, after I'll make the website ready I would like that the final user, who won't know how to program,
be able to edit the content.

I have recently started learning JavaScript, and then I plan to learn HTML5 and CSS.

I've also heard about Ruby on Rails, Backbone.js, Underscore.js, jQuery, AJAX, Drupal and Wordpress.
Do I need any of these for a simple site?

In a future I'll be doing mobile version of the website, for Android and iOS. Should I now take it into
consideration while choosing programming languages or is it a totally separate thing?

Finally, does anyone know a good free tutorial / website which explains how to build modern websites
with the current "hottest" tools / languages?.

Thanks!

[jscheuer1]

This is really too general of a question.

All web sites use a combination of HTML, css, javascript, and one or more server side languages. The proportions vary depending upon the desired results


Setup you page or web site. If you have a specific question/problem, let us know.

[traq]

a simple version I mean, to look as cool as these sites, however without any shops or special
interactions with visitors. I only would like the page to have company description, image gallery and
possibility to submit contact details. However; it must look great!

Also, after I'll make the website ready I would like that the final user, who won't know how to program,
be able to edit the content.

Adding the ability to edit content without coding makes the site "not simple."

I have recently started learning JavaScript, and then I plan to learn HTML5 and CSS.

Cool.

I've also heard about Ruby on Rails, Backbone.js, Underscore.js, jQuery, AJAX, Drupal and Wordpress.
Do I need any of these for a simple site?

No. But as I said above, editable content is not "simple."

Additionally, the things you mention are not "programming languages."

Backbone, underscore, and jQuery are all code libraries, not languages. They are all javascript.

Ruby on Rails is also a code library—for web-specific programming in the Ruby language.

AJAX is a javascript technology - it allows you to make an http request (e.g., exactly like submitting a form does) without leaving the page you're on.

Drupal and WordPress are Content Management Systems, not languages. They are software that allows you to manage websites via "control panels" instead of by directly working with the code. Both of these systems are written primarily in PHP, but that's not a requirement.

In a future I'll be doing mobile version of the website, for Android and iOS. Should I now take it into
consideration while choosing programming languages or is it a totally separate thing?

Mobile-specific versions of web sites are, generally speaking, a bad idea. It's the wrong solution to a simple problem. Instead, learn about "responsive design."

Finally, does anyone know a good free tutorial / website which explains how to build modern websites
with the current "hottest" tools / languages?.

You shouldn't be making choices based on what is "hottest."

For now, stick to HTML + CSS, then look at javascript. You need a strong foundation first.