Front-End Developer Roadmap (0 to Proficiency in 6 Months)
Month 1: HTML & CSS Basics
Learn:
- HTML: Structure of webpages (tags, attributes, forms, semantic elements).
- CSS: Styling basics (selectors, properties, box model, flexbox, grid).
- Responsive Design (media queries, mobile-first design).
Resources:
- FreeCodeCamp: Responsive Web Design Certification
(https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/)
- MDN Web Docs: HTML Basics
(https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML) and CSS Basics
(https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/CSS).
Practice:
- Build simple projects: portfolio webpage, a basic blog, or a landing page.
- Platforms: CodePen, Frontend Mentor (free challenges).
Tools:
- Learn VS Code (popular code editor).
- Basic Git/GitHub for version control.
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Month 2: JavaScript Basics
Learn:
- JavaScript Fundamentals (variables, data types, loops, functions, events,
DOM manipulation).
- Introduction to ES6+ features (let/const, arrow functions, template literals).
Resources:
- FreeCodeCamp: JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures Certification
(https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/)
- MDN Web Docs: JavaScript Basics
(https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript).
Practice:
- Create interactive webpages (e.g., to-do lists, calculators).
- Participate in coding challenges: Codewars (https://www.codewars.com/) or
HackerRank
(https://www.hackerrank.com/domains/tutorials/10-days-of-javascript).
---
Month 3: Advanced JavaScript & APIs
Learn:
- Asynchronous JavaScript (Promises, Async/Await, Fetch API).
- JSON and working with APIs.
Resources:
- JavaScript.info: Asynchronous JavaScript (https://javascript.info/async)
- MDN: Using Fetch API
(https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Fetch_API).
Practice:
- Projects: Weather app, basic CRUD app using public APIs (e.g., OpenWeather,
REST countries).
Certifications:
- Earn FreeCodeCamp?s JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures certificate.
---
Month 4: Frameworks, Libraries & CSS Preprocessors
Learn:
- CSS Preprocessors: Sass/SCSS.
- JavaScript Libraries: Learn React.js (components, state, props).
- Introduction to Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS.
Resources:
- React Official Docs: React Beginner Guide (https://react.dev/learn).
- Scrimba: Learn React for Free (https://scrimba.com/learn/learnreact).
Practice:
- Build a React project: Portfolio site, task manager, or recipe app.
- Use Netlify or Vercel to deploy projects online.
---
Month 5: Version Control, Testing, and Soft Skills
Learn:
- Version control using Git/GitHub (branches, pull requests).
- Basics of testing: Jest or React Testing Library.
- Agile workflow concepts.
Practice:
- Contribute to open-source projects on GitHub.
- Create a GitHub repository showcasing your projects.
Certifications:
- Complete Scrimba?s Frontend Developer Career Path.
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Month 6: Portfolio & Career Prep
Build:
- A professional portfolio website featuring 3-5 of your best projects.
- Projects to include:
- Interactive web application (e.g., e-commerce prototype).
- Fully responsive site using Tailwind or Bootstrap.
- React-based project with API integration.
Certifications:
- Coursera?s Meta Front-End Developer Certificate or similar.
- Google?s Professional Certificate in UX Design (optional).
Prepare:
- Create a resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Practice coding interviews on LeetCode or Frontend Interview Handbook.
- Apply for internships, freelance gigs, or junior developer roles.
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Free Certifications for Front-End Developers
1. FreeCodeCamp: (https://www.freecodecamp.org/)
- Responsive Web Design
- JavaScript Algorithms and Data Structures
- Front End Development Libraries
2. The Odin Project: (https://www.theodinproject.com/)
- Foundations Path
- Front End Development Path
3. CS50?s Web Programming with Python and JavaScript (Harvard):
(https://cs50.harvard.edu/web/)
4. Sololearn: (https://www.sololearn.com/)
- HTML Fundamentals
- CSS Fundamentals
- JavaScript Essentials
5. Microsoft Learn: (https://learn.microsoft.com/)
- Free learning paths with badges.
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Practice Platforms
- Frontend Mentor: Real-world challenges (https://www.frontendmentor.io/)
- CodePen: Quick project sharing (https://codepen.io/)
- GitHub: Contribute to open-source projects (https://github.com/)
