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Developer Learning Resources - Complete Reference

This document contains curated learning resources and external courses for web development fundamentals.

Overview

This guide provides essential learning resources for WordPress and web development, covering fundamental engineering concepts to build a strong foundation for developers entering the field.

Course Modules

1. Programming Languages

1.1 HTML & CSS

Topics Covered:

  • HTML5 structure and semantic tags
  • CSS3 styling and layouts
  • Flexbox and Grid
  • Responsive design
  • BEM methodology

Key Learning Resources Referenced:

  • MDN Web Docs (HTML & CSS)
  • Learn to Code HTML & CSS by Shay Howe
  • Flexbox Froggy (interactive game)
  • CSS Grid Garden (interactive game)
  • Code standards and best practices

1.2 JavaScript

Topics Covered:

  • JavaScript fundamentals
  • ES6+ features
  • Closures and scope
  • Event loop
  • Asynchronous programming
  • Clean code concepts

Key Learning Resources Referenced:

  • Wes Bos JavaScript Notes & Reference
  • ES6 Tutorial (javascripttutorial.net)
  • ECMAScript History
  • Clean Code JavaScript (GitHub repo)
  • ESNext features

1.3 PHP & MySQL

Topics Covered:

  • PHP 8 features and syntax
  • PHP namespaces
  • MySQL database operations
  • Prepared statements
  • Clean code in PHP

Key Learning Resources Referenced:

  • PHP 8 Tutorial (W3Schools)
  • PHP Tutorial (TutorialsPoint)
  • Clean Code PHP (GitHub repo)
  • PHP Language Reference
  • MySQL Database tutorials

2. Operating System Basics

Topics Covered:

  • Command-line interface (CLI)
  • Process management
  • Inter-process communication
  • Threads and concurrency
  • System monitoring
  • Shell scripting

Key Concepts:

  • Terminal operations and navigation
  • File system and permissions
  • Process lifecycle and signals
  • Background and foreground processes
  • Cron jobs and task scheduling

3. Setting up Development Environment

Topics Covered:

  • Package installation and management
  • Local server setup
  • IDE configuration
  • Version control (Git and SVN)
  • Debugging tools
  • Development workflows

Key Tools:

  • Git for version control
  • Local development servers
  • Code editors and IDEs
  • Package managers
  • Debugging extensions

4. Web Basics

4.1 How the Web Works

Topics Covered:

  • Client-server architecture
  • Request-response cycle
  • Web browsers and rendering
  • URLs and URIs

4.2 DNS (Domain Name System)

Topics Covered:

  • DNS hierarchy
  • DNS record types (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS)
  • DNS resolution process
  • DNS propagation
  • DNS commands (dig, nslookup, host)

4.3 HTTP/HTTPS

Topics Covered:

  • HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE)
  • HTTP status codes
  • HTTP headers
  • HTTPS and SSL/TLS
  • Request and response structure

4.4 Web Servers

Topics Covered:

  • Apache HTTP Server
  • Nginx
  • Virtual hosts
  • Reverse proxy
  • Load balancing
  • Server configuration

4.5 Rendering Engines

Topics Covered:

  • Browser rendering engines (Blink, WebKit, Gecko)
  • Critical Rendering Path
  • DOM and CSSOM
  • Render blocking resources
  • Browser caching

4.6 Email Systems

Topics Covered:

  • SMTP, POP3, IMAP protocols
  • Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
  • Sending emails from applications
  • Email deliverability

Quizzes and Assessments

Complete quizzes to test your knowledge:

  1. HTML & CSS Quiz - Minimum passing score: 70%
  2. JavaScript Quiz - Minimum passing score: 70%
  3. PHP & MySQL Quiz - Minimum passing score: 70%

🎓 Course Completion

Requirements

  • Complete all module lessons
  • Pass all quizzes with 70% or higher
  • Complete practical exercises
  • Build final projects

Certificate

Upon successful completion of all modules and assessments, you'll have demonstrated proficiency in: - Programming languages (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL) - Operating system fundamentals - Development environment setup - Web technologies and protocols - Security best practices

How to Use This Guide

Step 1: Sequential Learning

Follow the modules in order: 1. Programming Languages 2. Operating System Basics 3. Development Environment 4. Web Basics

Step 2: Hands-On Practice

  • Complete all exercises in each lesson
  • Practice the code examples
  • Try the interactive games (Flexbox Froggy, CSS Grid Garden)

Step 3: Take Quizzes

  • Take quizzes after completing each section
  • Review incorrect answers
  • Retake if needed to achieve 70%+

Step 4: Build Projects

Apply your knowledge by building: - Responsive websites - Web applications with database integration - Scripts and automation tools

External Learning Resources

Learning Platforms

Interactive Learning Games

Code Standards & Best Practices

CSS Resources

JavaScript Resources

PHP Resources

Learning Structure Summary

Developer Onboarding Program
│
├── Programming Languages
│   ├── HTML & CSS (+ Quiz)
│   ├── JavaScript (+ Quiz)
│   └── PHP & MySQL (+ Quiz)
│
├── Operating System Basics
│   ├── Command-Line Interface
│   ├── Process Management
│   ├── Inter-Process Communication
│   └── Threads
│
├── Setting up Development Environment
│   ├── Package Installation
│   ├── Local Server Setup
│   ├── IDE Configuration
│   └── Version Control (Git/SVN)
│
└── Web Basics
    ├── How the Web Works
    ├── DNS
    ├── HTTP/HTTPS
    ├── Web Servers
    ├── Rendering Engines
    └── Email Systems

⏱️ Estimated Time to Complete

  • Programming Languages: 8-10 hours
  • HTML & CSS: 3-4 hours
  • JavaScript: 3-4 hours

  • PHP & MySQL: 2-3 hours

  • Operating System Basics: 6-8 hours

  • Development Environment: 4-6 hours

  • Web Basics: 8-10 hours

Total Estimated Time: 26-34 hours of focused learning

Note: This doesn't include practice time, projects, and hands-on exercises, which can double or triple the time investment.

Learning Objectives

By completing this onboarding program, you will:

Knowledge

  • Understand fundamental web technologies
  • Know programming language syntax and best practices
  • Comprehend how operating systems work
  • Grasp web protocols and communication

Skills

  • Write clean, maintainable code
  • Set up and configure development environments
  • Use command-line tools effectively
  • Debug code and troubleshoot issues
  • Build responsive, accessible websites
  • Create database-driven applications

Competencies

  • Problem-solving and logical thinking
  • Code review and quality assurance
  • Version control and collaboration
  • Security awareness
  • Performance optimization

Support & Community

Getting Help

  • Review the course materials thoroughly
  • Complete all exercises and quizzes
  • Consult external resources linked in the course
  • Join web development communities
  • Ask your mentor or team lead

Notes for Instructors/Mentors

Using This Course for Onboarding

  • Follow the structured path in ONBOARDING-GUIDE.md
  • Use PROGRESS-CHECKLIST.md to track progress
  • Schedule regular check-ins with mentees
  • Encourage hands-on practice and projects
  • Provide constructive code review feedback

Customization

  • Adapt the timeline based on individual needs
  • Add company-specific tools and practices
  • Include internal projects and case studies
  • Supplement with team-specific knowledge

Additional Resources

Complementary Courses

After completing Engineering Basics, consider: - WordPress development courses - Advanced JavaScript frameworks - Database design and optimization - DevOps and deployment - Web security deep dive

Next Level Learning

  • Build more complex projects
  • Contribute to open source
  • Learn testing and CI/CD
  • Explore cloud platforms
  • Study system architecture

Ready to learn? Start with the ONBOARDING-GUIDE.md!

This reference guide is maintained internally for weDevs developer onboarding.