I will be turning 52 this year. I dabble in programming very little so many years ago. Now, I have an idea for a website. I’ve seen it done in static webpages and feel it could be done sooo much better. Beside, I need to learn a new trade. I’m not expecting it to be easy. So, I am working on learning HTML but I know that I must also learn PHP and MySQL in order to make the site database driven with dynamic webpages. What else do I need to learn? My “idea” will take at least 3 to 5 tables. Can I create these tables in MS Excel 2010 and then somehow convert this information to whatever form it needs to be in for searching on the website and creating the dynamic pages? Thanks for your comments.
CSS is good to learn too, so you can make adjustment for the page look and formatting. Enjoy your learning 
You could load the data that way but you will need to define the tables in mySQL and transfer the data there in order for the web site to be able to use it.
You don’t have to learn PHP. You can learn Python or Ruby or Node.js or Java or .NET or a number of other things.
Learn HTML, then CSS, then enough JavaScript to understand what it is and what it’s for. Then pick a backend, the backend doesn’t really matter, but it certainly doesn’t have to be PHP.
You can get books at Learnable. But a couple good online learning resources are CodeSchool and CodeCademy. CodeCademy is a free interactive instruction site, but it doesn’t really teach much. It’s a lot of “type this”. CodeSchool has video courses with some interactivity, I’ve only done a couple and they were really good. But used to use on their parent company, PluralSight, quite a bit. They have some free and the rest is a flat subscription.
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I’m 53 and just starting to relearn this stuff after a long time of not doing anything like it in my career.
To me, learning good HTML structure and CSS is your bread and butter for any web development. Learn those first.
Add JavaScript as you find you need it, but you will find anything you do learn to be handy if you then go onto need something like Node.js
For backend stuff there are so many to consider as @mawburn has indicated, but don’t forget to learn something about a flavour of SQL, of which mySQL probably has the widest use and range of resources to help with learning.
Thanks for all of the suggestions. I had a feeling I did not know the full scope of what needed to be learned. I’m sure I’ll be back on here many times asking questions. Thanks again!
Dinosaur? In 52? Seriously? Oh, come on. You’re still young enough to learn anything.
My father is 56 and I started to teach him HTML/CSS few months ago.
Actually I just point him to the good articles and he does all the work himself.
So i’m sure you won’t have any problems if you’re ready to spend enough time on that.
Good Luck!
Yes you are never to old to learn something new. 
I didn’t take up html/css until I was approaching 50 (I’m approaching 63 now) but, even if I say so myself, still managed to co-author a decent CSS manual (for it’s time).
We can all learn new things at any age and maybe it may take a little longer to grasp something as you get older but it also becomes more rewarding.
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Thanks for the encouragement. I got in this frame of mind when I turned 50 and was without a steady job for 2 years. When you fill out over 500 applications and only get 2 interviews in that 2 years, you can only wonder if age is a factor. But, I do know I can learn this if I set my mind to it. I am running through HTML right now. Most of it makes sense. Next is CSS and then Java Script. Thanks again. Mark.
Nowadays don’t begin with PHP / MySQL.
Jump right into HTML/CSS. Then JavaScript. Then using NoSQL DBs.
Skip Excel because it’s a wasted step.
With the modern web stack you can do a lot without PHP and quickly jump into practical application development.
Just do not rely on online tutorials older than 3-5 years.
You’ll do great starting with Learnable.
I am on the same boat.
I learned HTML5 & CSS3
and want to move ahead in web designing.
What languages should I learn now.
Bootstrap and what other technologies are emerging in designing ?
Mobile Apps are also a trend in designing.
What language I should learn from now on ?
What is UI Designing ?
Is it app based on some program or have to learn some designing softwares ?
I can do little adjustments in Photoshop etc.
Is it enough or more is needed ?
That depends upon where you want to go with this. HTML & CSS are enough to make basic websites, the bare minimum I suppose. If you go the route of mobile apps (not something I’ve got into), JS maybe, or for more complex database driven websites, some server-side language and SQL of some form.
“User Interface” designing, it applies to websites, apps, games or full blown programs, anything a user has to interface with.
Sam74
Thanks for your inputs.
What is PHP, Joomla, Bootstrap etc,
I am puzzled about these.
Which route I should follow for future growth ?
What are best methods to make a Responsive website ?
PHP is required for dynamic sites.
What other languages are for dynamic sites better than or ahead of PHP ?
For Apps building what languages are required to learn ?
Hey there, what are you puzzled about? These are very wide open questions. Try to narrow down your question. You can google PP, Joomla and Bootstrap to get a sense of what they are, then ask for clarification of the bits you didn’t understand.
Thanks !
I am googling and getting more puzzled !
LOL !
I want to move ahead.
Forget others now.
I have 2 questions:
After HTML5 + CSS3
Which are next languages I should learn ?
For Apps building what languages are required to learn ?