@Digigirl – I think starting with CSS and HTML is probably easier than jumping right into php. I think of them as building blocks to reaching your long term goals.

I think the best way to learn is experiment. If you have your own domain, create a new folder and make a fresh installation of WordPress. Install a couple of themes you like and start going looking at each CSS and PHP file. Try changing values and see how that changes the way your test installation looks.

@Dave – quick and cheap is relative. I think the best way to learn is to want to learn and take the time playing testing things. Like you’ve said before, someone just giving you “the answer” won’t help you learn anything. (Troubleshooting help, on the other hand, can teach you a thing or two)

@Sean – Thats actually kind of how I started into it as well. I learned HTML some back in the pre web2.0 days, and was a little intimidated by how fancy things on the web have gotten. The more I’ve gotten back into the swing of things, the easier it has become.
I started back messing with my logo, then I decided I wanted to hack up my theme. I haven’t reached loops and whatnot yet, but I’m definitely happy with the results.

@DiTesco – Like Dave said, Thesis is extremely easy to tweak. I definitely intend on moving to Thesis when I do my next major theme revision. Like I suggested before, making a new folder and using a second installation of wordpress, you can start messing around with Stylesheets and see how things change. I also recommend using http://validator.w3.org/ and http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/validator to see what everything looks like all put together.

@Gabe – I agree completely about classes. Basic classes are normally so basic that you have a “well duh” feeling when you leave class. Most things you learn on those classes you can learn on your own for free using a second install of WP. The more advanced classes where you actually learn how to do cool things will be over a beginners head.

@Rhys – Programming will always be a worthy skill to learn even if you get to the point where you can pay other people to do it for you.
Like you said, I think of HTML and CSS as the basic building blocks, but once you understand them, PHP comes pretty easy.

@Extreme John – I’m glad you liked the post. It is pretty fun. I find it very satisfying to look back and see the huge changes (or small sexy tweeks).

@Steppinout – I don’t have Thesis, but I’ve heard the clean code makes it a million times easier to learn than trying to work with a hacked together theme.

@Jan – It sucks when outsourcing isn’t an option, but that is often the case. I still don’t understand most of the stuff Firebug reports either. What I like to do to learn is find the problems using Firebug or the validation tools I mentioned above and try to fix them. Nothing like fixing other poeple’s bad code to learn how to write good clean code.

@William – Necessity of saving money is probably the reason a lot of people learn to code, but that doesn’t make it a bad one. Like you said, a lot of times labor turns into love. (Unfortunately, it can work the other way too)

Thanks to everyone for reading my guest post. I hope you enjoyed it and it inspires you to take the time to learn to code, even if only just a little. ;-)

p.s. Longest comment ever!
.-= Blake @ Props Blog Rewiews´s last blog ..Optimize Anchored Keyword Links To Improve your SEO =-.

I remember the days of looking at the code in complete confusion when disaster had over taken one of my projects. Learning how to back up regularly and restore from the back up was the spring board that launched my abilities.

Of course the Internet with all of it’s amazing content is like having a University on your computer. The answers you need are all there in the search box of the browser.

Many thanks to sites like Website In A Weekend

And you’re right – not everything can be outsourced especially if you’re just learning the ropes and on a non-existent budget like I am.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.

For learning CSS, I recommend you invest in a dedicated CSS editor,
and GRAPH PAPER! It turns out design pros still use paper extensively, before the push everything into the computer.

@steppinout – Thesis is a very good example of well-engineered PHP code.
.-= Dr WordPress!´s last blog ..Why Using a Premium WordPress Theme is Like Investing in Fine Art =-.

As you know I am desperatley trying to learn CSS and some generic WP coding while I am at it. It’s fun so far, not sure it will stay fun.
.-= Extreme John´s last blog ..NFL Week 11 Predictions =-.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by propsblog: RT @websiteweekend DIY WordPress: 3 Reasons You Should Learn To Code | Website In A Weekend http://bit.ly/1nxjpG...

The biggest value I see in programming is that it teaches a unique way of looking at the world.
.-= Dr WordPress!´s last blog ..How to Use Creative Commons Images From Flickr on WordPress Blog =-.