My first real programming experience was with Python (unless you count making really simple scripts with Batch and VBS), but the first language I actually used in a major project was PHP. When I tried to make a (now defunct and honestly never truly launched to begin with) forum and kind of a Reddit alternative. Simply because it was the single lowest barrier of entry way of making a website with server side logic, complete with free, “upload your scripts and go” web hosting.
Granted, I moved back to Python not long after because I really wanted to take advantage of Django (the structured MVC model was simply easier to develop complex sites, as it was around this time I decided to pivot to making a “real” Reddit competitor), and because I also realized that $5 a month for an entry level VPS wasn’t that bad if it meant the hosting experience was a lot less sketchy. That site never got finished either, though. Actually, I’m debating whether 16 year old me’s code is even worth open sourcing for the hell of it, because it’s pretty crappy and I’m worried it would actually hurt my portfolio.
The drive to make a Reddit alternative was what eventually led me to discover Lemmy though. So I guess I got something out of it after all!
Story time!
My first real programming experience was with Python (unless you count making really simple scripts with Batch and VBS), but the first language I actually used in a major project was PHP. When I tried to make a (now defunct and honestly never truly launched to begin with) forum and kind of a Reddit alternative. Simply because it was the single lowest barrier of entry way of making a website with server side logic, complete with free, “upload your scripts and go” web hosting.
Granted, I moved back to Python not long after because I really wanted to take advantage of Django (the structured MVC model was simply easier to develop complex sites, as it was around this time I decided to pivot to making a “real” Reddit competitor), and because I also realized that $5 a month for an entry level VPS wasn’t that bad if it meant the hosting experience was a lot less sketchy. That site never got finished either, though. Actually, I’m debating whether 16 year old me’s code is even worth open sourcing for the hell of it, because it’s pretty crappy and I’m worried it would actually hurt my portfolio.
The drive to make a Reddit alternative was what eventually led me to discover Lemmy though. So I guess I got something out of it after all!