I have been a server-side programmer for most of my career and have only recentl

Question

I have been a server-side programmer for most of my career and have only recently started spending more time on web development. I am amazed at the number of things I need to master in order to write a decent web application. Just to list down a few tools/technologies I need to learn,

Server side programming language (Java/JSP, ASP, PHP, Ruby or something else)

A decent web framework (for any medium to big size application).

HTML & CSS

Javascript

Javascript library (JQuery/ExtJS etc. primarily for AJAX). Good to know even if not necessary.

At least a basic knowledge of web design - layouts, colors, fonts etc.

A good understanding of web security.

A good understanding of Performance/scalability issues.

Testing, browser compatibility issues etc.

The list goes on.

So, my question to seasoned web developers is - How do you guys manage to learn and keep yourself updated on so many things? While developing a web application, how do you handle the complexities involved in these areas and yet manage to write an application that is well designed, user friendly, secure, performant and scalable.

As a web developer, does one have to be a jack of all trades or should one specialize in one or two areas and leave the rest to other members of the team ?

Explanation / Answer

Server side programming language (Java/JSP, ASP, PHP, Ruby or something else)

Use a framework. Django, for example.

A decent web framework (for any medium to big size application).

Not "medium to big". Use a framework for everything.

HTML & CSS

It is what it is. Learn it.

Javascript

Use libraries and frameworks as much as possible. Write less, reuse more.

Javascript library (JQuery/ExtJS etc. primarily for AJAX). Good to know even if not necessary.

Correct. Use a library.

Or.

Use FLEX.

At least a basic knowledge of web design - layouts, colors, fonts etc.

Copy existing sites.

A good understanding of web security.

Read www.owasp.org carefully. And. Use a framework that does this.

A good understanding of Performance/scalability issues.

Use Apache. Use a framework that handles this. Read Schlossnagle's Scalable Internet Architectures.

Testing, browser compatibility issues etc.

Frameworks. Libraries.

There's a trick to this. Use as many libraries and frameworks as you can. The web has been around for years.

Stand on the shoulders of giants. Please. You don't need to reinvent all of this.

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