Web Computer Language experiences
HTML & CSS skills
I have been professionally programming since 1977, started coding websites in 1998 when I realized that websites would become the most important place for communication in the future. I commuted to Manhattan for a year and a half doing HTML and CSS for Design Firms using the then 'new' table-less layout techniques and IE6 hacks for a consistent browser experience. I wrote high quality code, and had the benefit of writing HTML with the understanding how it is used by the backend server. I am now loving the power and functionality of SASS, HTML5, and CSS3 features that have enhanced and simplified Web Development. FYI, this website is written with simple HTML and CSS, which can be viewed by viewing the page source.
I used to be a Ruby on Rails developer, but have since transitioned to Python and Django. My lifetime project is going to be the development of an open sourced website (Healthy Meals) to help people with insulin resistance and other dietary requirements to be able to create healthy meals. Healthy Meals
JavaScript
I have been coding Javascript since 1998. I originally used pure JavaScript to manipulate the DOM in Internet Explorer and Netscape. I later used the Prototype and Scriptaculous libraries to have better cross browser code. I got on the AJAX bandwagon when it first came out. I have spent some time on the Javascript front end frameworks such as React and Ember, as well as Elm
I have a love hate relationship with JavaScript. Originally it provided a hodgepodge of state of the art (at that time) tools to web pages. Javascript has significantly lacked convention, but there have been improvements in this and enhancements such as typescript. Recent enhancements to Javascript, including server-side Javascript with Node, and more use of its functional features have helped it improve as a language.
Ruby on Rails
I have been coding with Ruby on Rails since 2006. I found that I could develop websites three times faster than using Java J2EE tools, and at the same time have automated testing of the product.
I found that Ruby on Rails has made a significant contribution to web development, especially with its convention over configuration, and a rich set of tools available. I find the Ruby language orientation of being english-like has made it hard for the documentation to be clear about what types of arguments are being passed, and thus harder to read and understand.
Python with Django
I have been coding with Python using the Django framework since 2024. I found that the Ruby language has not been keeping up with the latest developments in web development. I have seen python's growing popularity in web development, and find it to be a better choice for modern web development.
Future Language Explorations
I started playing with Rust, but I found the learning curve too steep for an application developer like myself. I expect that it will eventually become more popular than C++.
I am curious about the kotlin language, as its goal is to be the better java, however I found that the decent tools for it are not open sourced.
The trend in programming to use 'AI' tools to help develop code is a concern of mine. I am currently using Claude Code as an assistant and search tool, but never intend to use it to write more that the current line of code that I am working on. I think it is critical for AI to be used as a tool to assist developers, and to help them become better developers, but never write code unless it is throughly reviewed and tested.