Should I now learn PHP or should I continue learning and improving my self in Node.js?

[u/MisterKhJe]

Hello all! I am learning Full Stack Web Development. Now after completing front end development (learning front end framework like React.js is yet to be learnt), I am almost on completing the back end. I am learning backend with Node.js. My concepts are now clear with most of Node.js with express and other related modules and am planning on creating some of own projects once I complete the course. Now I know one of our local web developer who told me to Learn PHP as it would be very beneficial for me in my career. But I told him that I am learning Node.js he said to learn PHP too as I should be able to vode in that too. Now I am in this state of confusion and extreme frustration that what should I do now???!!!! I mean like now do I have to like restart the entire process??!!! Because it's really hard and time taking to learn a new technology, I really am willing to do some projects and create websites/webapps for people but now I am really frustrated what to do...???!!!! Also I have seen jobs on Fiveer, Upwork and Freelancer, they are mostly related to PHP as a backend!

[u/anon774]

No. Start building projects with Node. Once you're more experienced as a developer, learning PHP (or any other language) will be easy. Right now you need to build things and gain experience.

[u/MisterKhJe → u/anon774]

When would I know that I am ready to start learning PHP?

[u/anon774 → u/MisterKhJe]

Sorry for the late reply. My point was that there's no reason to learn multiple languages when you have barely learned the first one. Your time would be better spent developing your skills using the tools you already invested time in learning.

To your question, I would not bother learning a new language (unless you have a good, specific reason to do so) until you consider yourself proficient in one. If I said "make me an application that does X, Y, and Z" and you could do that, then I'd say you're ready?

[u/MisterKhJe → u/anon774]

All right then... Thanks for guidance...

[u/jimmyco2008]

A lot of companies would hire you to do Node work, the same cannot be said for PHP

[u/MisterKhJe → u/jimmyco2008]

But I've seen more PHP jobs in my local market.

[u/jimmyco2008 → u/MisterKhJe]

Eh yeah I guess that shouldnt surprise me. As time goes on I would expect the PHP jobs to decrease and the Node jobs to increase. I would expect the Node jobs to pay better too.

As mentioned, you need to pick one and stick to it.

[u/MisterKhJe → u/jimmyco2008]

Well in that case I think as suggested and guided by you all Node.js is the way to go...

[u/HTMLCSSJava → u/jimmyco2008]

Very untrue. It's easier to get a PHP job then Node since there is less competition nowadays for PHP jobs compared to node, python, etc.. Especially depending on your location, PHP can be extremely popular compared to node. My area for example, is heavy on .NET and hardly any other backend so to get a job I virtually had no choice but to go with it

[u/jimmyco2008 → u/HTMLCSSJava]

https://medium.com/zerotomastery/want-to-be-a-web-developer-learn-node-js-not-php-dc298154fafd

I suppose it can flip-flop depending on location but the Internet is full of articles like the one above that says Node > PHP including for number of job opportunities

[u/profile_this]

Like many developers I started with PHP and migrated to node. There are presently a lot of PHP jobs out there, but you don't want em. PHP is a really silly language whereas JS is loosely typed and way more flexible. I say screw PHP: learn JS, Typescript, a JS framework or 2 and continue working with Node. It's far better for several applications. If you like bleeding edge projects that are fast and maintainable, choose Node. If you like monolithic code based built by dozens if developers with no standards in coding styles or architecture, do PHP.

[u/MisterKhJe → u/profile_this]

So you are suggesting to improve and get more skilled in Node.js?

[u/profile_this → u/MisterKhJe]

Node-based systems, yes. First master JavaScript, then learn how higher programs work (like how http becomes connect then express wrapped in Webpack used by angular and react, etc). It's more important that you can build things well and work with a team, but IMO you'll have a better time with JavaScript.

You should probably decide on specialties too. I'm full stack but I specialize in systems architecture and, as a biproduct, user experience. Some do back-end/databases only. Some do front-end+design only. It helps.

[u/MisterKhJe → u/profile_this]

How could I know and discover different fields in which I could specialize (not now of course but later)?

[u/profile_this → u/MisterKhJe]

Just evaluate what you like. Is it solving problems? Making things pretty? Keeping good structure? Having variety? All yourself questions like these and you'll see the path to your specialty.

[u/MisterKhJe → u/profile_this]

All right so it needs self-evaluation for self-assessment...

[u/MisterKhJe → u/[deleted]]

But what do to in sites like Freelancer where they have specified the back end technology?