/    Sign up×
Community /Pin to ProfileBookmark

How should I start my project?

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
May 04.2015

[I](if this is in the wrong section please move this, thanks!)[/I]

Hey Guys, pretty much a Newbie here,

I plan to create my own Site/platform and would like to ask you what [B]language[/B] you recommend, [B]where to start[/B], what to read and so on and so forth.

The desired features for this “platform” are:

-An [B]account[/B] for each user
-Publicly [B]accessible Documents[/B] of registered Users, accessible for any user
-a [B]messagesystem[/B] with picture-upload function
-a [B]database[/B] for each user’s documents
-whole system accessible via iOS/Android [B]App[/B]

I think I have a pretty good understanding of computers in general;
I can handle MacOS, Windows and a few Unix systems, can do basic Coding in Java, have fun tweaking stuff arround until it works and have set up a few CMS.

But when it comes to developing an entirely new platform I don’t have a clue where to start,
so I’d be really happy if you folks could help me get started!

Cheers!

N3XT

to post a comment
Full-stack Developer

9 Comments(s) ↴

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@kmoinuMay 04.2015 — If you are looking to make a website, a CMS (Joomla, Wordpress, Drupal) will do what you are looking to do pretty easily. You can do it on your own if you want to, though. But I'm wondering why you want to create an all new platform?

A mobile app is different than a website, btw. You'll need to do that separately. However, any responsive website will be easily viewable via mobile when using a browser.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@N3XTauthorMay 04.2015 — Hey kmoinu,

thanks for your quick reply, I hope I can explain my intentions accordingly:

You can do it on your own if you want to, though. But I'm wondering why you want to create an all new platform?
[/QUOTE]
I try to achieve this on the one hand to learn the process of it and on the other to be fully independent,

But If developing this platform on my own is an exponential effort in your eyes, what'd be your suggestion for this task ?


A mobile app is different than a website, btw. [/QUOTE]

Yeah, I have a little experience with responsive developing,so I know the difference.

The thing about the app is more that it is able to access and process all data from the website as well.

Thanks again for replying

N3XT
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@kmoinuMay 05.2015 — I wouldn't call it an "exponential effort". It will take more time and skill than a CMS, though. I guess a preliminary question would be: do you have experience in HTML, Javascript, or CSS? You mentioned you've done Java, and I'm unclear if you mean Java or Javascript -- those two are not the same thing, and sometimes non-webcoders don't know that. (I was under the impression (forgive me if I'm wrong) that you're a non-coder, since you mention being able to use Mac/Windows/Unix and those have nothing to do with webcoding.)

If you have experience in HTML/Javascript/CSS or would like to learn those and have the time to do your own platform, go for it. It would be a great learning experience. However, it would probably be easier to start with a more simple site that doesn't need a database, like the site you're talking about would. The attributes it sounds like you're looking for would just be a lot easier for a non-coder to do with a CMS, which is why I mentioned it.

You need to learn about HTML, PHP, Javascript and databases to start building your own platform. Your local library is a good place to start, since the books can get expensive and it's a good idea to know which books are better for you before you buy them. If you need suggestions about which actual books, looking at a class syllabus from a college might give you a place to start.

Best of luck!
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@N3XTauthorMay 05.2015 — Hey again and thanks again,

It seems to me that I haven't expressed the situation precisely, this might result from english not being my native language, I'm sorry about that.

You mentioned you've done Java, and I'm unclear if you mean Java or Javascript -- those two are not the same thing, and sometimes non-webcoders don't know that. (I was under the impression (forgive me if I'm wrong) that you're a non-coder, since you mention being able to use Mac/Windows/Unix and those have nothing to do with webcoding.)[/QUOTE]

I mentioned being able to use these OS's as an example, to state that I have "advanced general computer knowledge" and you don't have to explain to me what a server is for example :p

Therefore I mean java and not javascript^^

The problem with that is that I understand (and can implement) also a bit complexer strucutures like graphs or interfaces, but have few to zero experience and skill in actually creating a program in Java. I tried to learn working eclipse but didn't have the time so far to make any serious progress. (The good part is now I have the time for pretty much anything).




If you have experience in HTML/Javascript/CSS or would like to learn those and have the time to do your own platform, go for it. It would be a great learning experience. However, it would probably be easier to start with a more simple site that doesn't need a database, like the site you're talking about would. The attributes it sounds like you're looking for would just be a lot easier for a non-coder to do with a CMS, which is why I mentioned it.

You need to learn about HTML, PHP, Javascript and databases to start building your own platform. Your local library is a good place to start, since the books can get expensive and it's a good idea to know which books are better for you before you buy them. If you need suggestions about which actual books, looking at a class syllabus from a college might give you a place to start.
[/QUOTE]


I have "some" experiences with all of them (say; I pinched arround in all of them a bit in an internship) but I am missing the basics yet, so thanks for the tip with the library I am gonna definately do that!

Any CMS you could recommend? I am still willing to have a fully independent platform, but maybe a CMS is a good place to create a first "sketch".


Thanks for your extensive help, I really appreciate it!
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@AnthonyemuoboMay 05.2015 — What you mean is that you need to make a customised CMS. In other to do that for the first time I recommend you watch the video as it shows the programmer making a CMS in PHP and mysql. https://www.livecoding.tv/video/creating-a-cms-php/. thanks
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@Bruce_AthertonMay 07.2015 — Wordpress can be a good choice, its service and the credibility of the company is truly commendable.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@kmoinuMay 07.2015 — Saying you want to start creating your own platform without knowing pretty much anything about web design is like saying you want to make a Rolls Royce because you know how to drive a car, but don't know how to fix one, do welding or woodworking. It would be possible, but you're going to make yourself crazy, make a ton of mistakes that you'll have to redo, and take a ton of time to do it. I'm not talking about a few months, here, for what you want.

General computer knowledge is great and will serve you well, but has zero to do with building a website. I know a guy who is brilliant with computers -- his home setup is more impressive than 90% of businesses, and he does things like build his own motherboards from scratch time to time, just because he wants them a certain way. He can't build a website. So really, the one has nothing to do with the other.

Start with the basics. If you want to learn to build a website, learn HTML first. Then go to CSS, Javascript, PHP, databases, etc. The library, like I said, is a place to start. A better place would be a class. [code=html]http://www.w3schools.com[/code] is also a good resource.

For what you want to do and your skill level at the moment, a premade CMS is definitely the easier way to go. You can customize any of them, and it will help you learn how things can work, if you decide to build your own in the future. There are a lot of CMS platforms, but the most used are Joomla, Wordpress and Drupal. All three are free. If you Google them, there are a lot of articles about the differences between them. Be aware that there are a lot of fanboys of each of them, that will recommend their favorite no matter what. I would recommend you do some research into them, find out which sounds right for you, then test it out for a month or two. If you don't like the way it works, try a different one. The PHP CMSs are the most popular ones. Here's a list, according to Wiki:[code=html]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_content_management_systems#PHP[/code]

You have a bunch to choose from.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@NogDogMay 07.2015 — http://www.opensourcecms.com/ has quite a few CMS's (and other web app packages) you can actually play around with a bit on their site, as well as reading the reviews, etc.
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@angelina22May 11.2015 — Try to make a CMS website it is easy for making website and even editing also.
×

Success!

Help @N3XT spread the word by sharing this article on Twitter...

Tweet This
Sign in
Forgot password?
Sign in with TwitchSign in with GithubCreate Account
about: ({
version: 0.1.9 — BETA 5.3,
whats_new: community page,
up_next: more Davinci•003 tasks,
coming_soon: events calendar,
social: @webDeveloperHQ
});

legal: ({
terms: of use,
privacy: policy
});
changelog: (
version: 0.1.9,
notes: added community page

version: 0.1.8,
notes: added Davinci•003

version: 0.1.7,
notes: upvote answers to bounties

version: 0.1.6,
notes: article editor refresh
)...
recent_tips: (
tipper: @Yussuf4331,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,

tipper: @darkwebsites540,
tipped: article
amount: 10 SATS,

tipper: @Samric24,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,
)...