In this article, we present a curated list of the best books to learn web development. These books cover a range of topics, from front-end technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to back-end frameworks, databases, and web application architecture. Each book offers a unique perspective, comprehensive insights, and practical exercises that will help you build a solid foundation or advance your existing expertise.
Web development has become an integral part of the digital landscape, powering everything from simple websites to complex web applications. Whether you’re a beginner looking to acquire foundational knowledge or an experienced developer aiming to enhance your skills, a well-crafted book can be an invaluable resource on your journey to mastering web development.
Whether you prefer a hands-on approach, a deep dive into specific technologies, or a comprehensive guide to building robust web applications, there’s a book on this list to suit your learning style and goals. Let’s explore these carefully selected resources that will empower you to create engaging, interactive, and scalable web experiences.
Note: The following books are not mutually exclusive options. Each book we have recommended covers a unique and crucial aspect of web development. You will benefit from reading more than just one of these suggestions.
HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites, First Edition
Author: Jon Duckett
Publication Date: November 8, 2011
Pages: 490
HTML and CSS, the foundations behind the millions of websites that populate the internet, including the very website you are reading this on right now. It is thus fitting, that we introduce the popular book, HTML and CSS: Design and Build Websites, First Edition first.
This book includes everything you need to know about HTML and CSS, assuming no prior knowledge. The target audience is anyone who needs to use HTML/CSS knowledge for practical applications (e.g content editors, bloggers, etc) not just programmers.
The book’s goal is to “help you create attractive, user-friendly web content“. You also learn how to properly structure and design the layout of your web pages.
Positively reviewed by thousands, you are unlikely to go wrong with this choice.
JavaScript and jQuery: Interactive Front-End Web Development, 1st Edition
Author: Jon Duckett
Publication Date: June 30, 2014
Pages: 640
Written by the same author as the previous book, this book covers another crucial aspect of web development, “JavaScript and jQuery”. While HTML and CSS are the foundations behind web development, no webpage is complete without atleast some JavaScript.
JavaScript is the widely used language for web browsers, handling all dynamic interaction and events (popups, buttons, modals, custom scripts, server calls, etc.). It is highly in demand these days, is being used in various popular web frameworks, due to which it is enjoying further growth and popularity.
The only pre-requisite of this book is some HTML and CSS knowledge, which you can gain from reading the other book written by this author (mentioned earlier).
Once again, this book has enjoyed a positive rating for successfully guiding both programmers and non-programmers through the world of JavaScript (which can get quite tricky, mind you) in a easy and visually pleasing manner.
Although we have not mentioned it here, there is another book by this author with focus on creating “backends”, “servers”, and “databases”. The book is titled “PHP and MySQL”.
Web Coding & Development All-in-One For Dummies, 1st Edition
Author: Paul McFedries
Publication Date: May 15, 2018
Pages: 848
As an alternative option to the above books, we have suggested this one, which advertises itself as an “All-in-one-Solution” to Web Development. The book covers the basics (HTML and CSS) briefly, then moves on to more advanced topics such as JavaScript, jQuery, PHP, and MySQL.
One interesting thing that stands out here, is the inclusion of both “web” and “mobile” apps.
Developers already familiar with the basics of Web Development (basic coding knowledge, HTML and CSS) might find this a better and faster option than reading the earlier suggestions.
Django for Beginners: Build websites with Python and Django
Authors: William S. Vincent
Publication Date: May 4, 2023
Pages: 343
Any recommendation list would be incomplete without the mention of a Python-related resource. Here, we are introducing a book which features the popular Django framework, written in Python.
Django is a powerful framework, which facilitates the construction of both the Frontend (UI and UX) and the Backend (server, database, etc.) for Web apps. It also provides other powerful features such as authentication and security out-of-the-box. Django is used for commercial applications as well, and can commonly be seen in job descriptions/offers.
This book, as the name implies, is designed for beginners. It will take you all the way from the very basics, to being ready to deploy your Django application to the internet.
Flask Web Development: Developing Web Applications with Python, 2nd Edition
Author: Miguel Grinberg
Publication Date: April 24, 2018
Pages: 312
Another Python related resource, but this time on a different framework, called “Flask”. A direct competitor to Django, Flask is well-known for a easier learning curve, smaller size (as a micro-framework) and speed. For this reason, Flask is commonly picked up by beginners to web development, or by solo developers. Django on the other hand, is preferred for larger-scale applications, or experienced developers.
Written by a famous publisher, “O Reilly”, this book will take you from the basics of web development, all the way to deployment of your Flask web applications.
This book covers not only Flask itself, but also strategies about databases, unit testing, deployment, and more.
The Road to React: The React.js with Hooks in JavaScript Book (2023 Edition)
Author: Robin Wieruch
Publication Date: November 15, 2017 (Last updated in Feb. 2023)
Pages: 394
Any recommendation list from 2020 onwards would be incomplete without the popular JavaScript Framework “React”. This framework has quickly become the most used popular web framework used for creating web applications. It is also possible to develop mobile applications and desktop applications using extensions of React. It’s ease of use, large community, and numerous third party libraries have catapulted it to the most in-demand framework of 2023+ onwards.
It’s rare to find a good book on React, as it is constantly updating, and undergoes significant changes every year, which can make books outdated quickly. For this reason, books on Reacts are typically poorly-rated (due to not-working code).
For these reasons, I was surprised to find this book, which was both positively received, and has been consistently updated all the way to 2023 to conform to the latest changes. Definitely something I would recommend.
Keep in mind however, that React is an advanced topic. You must have some basic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge. You can technically go in blind, but having prior knowledge will make things alot easier (especially JavaScript knowledge).
Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (3rd Edition)
Author: Steve Krug
Publication Date: December 24, 2013
Pages: 216
Before you dismiss this book, let me tell you that it is probably the most important one here. It is not a technical book, which discusses or teaches coding. It has no JavaScript, no HTML, no CSS, no Python, nothing.
What it teaches is “design”.
This is something that even talented developers can fail to grasp, and although they may be efficient coders, they might not understand how to properly structure and design a good looking and user-friendly site.
Hundreds of thousands of Web designers and developers have relied on usability guru Steve Krug’s guide to help them understand the principles of intuitive navigation and information design. As the name of the book implies, your users should not “have to think” about how to achieve anything on your application. It should all come naturally to them, and be blatantly obvious with no ambiguity.
If you are serious about web development, you need to give this book a read.
This marks the end of the Best Books to Learn Web Development article. Any suggestions or contributions for CodersLegacy are more than welcome. Questions regarding the article content can be asked in the comments section below.
