Hi all, I know this has been raised in the past, but I’d like to know: how much HTML and CSS knowledge is required to do backend development? I’d like to start the curriculum at Javascript and skip over the HTML and CSS parts (really not my cup of tea). What do you think? Could I get thought it with just basic knowledge (ie overview) of HTML and CSS?
Hi and welcome to the forum!
As far as I know, you don’t need html and css for backend development. Backend development deals with the server side logic of a web app. You use HTML and CSS for the front-end where the user sees and interacts with the web page.
If you want to learn JavaScript though, it’s good to have basic knowledge of HTML and CSS.
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I’d at a minimum skim/skip through the section to get familiar with the tech, syntax and where it fits.
If you want to only focus on JavaScript/back-end, then you still should know what is HTML, CSS and how it fits in the grand scheme of things.
Even on the back-end you could indirectly be dealing with HTML/CSS and even client-side JavaScript in scenarios where the back-end is responsible for rendering stuff to front-end clients (the users’s browser), in those cases you often make the HTML dynamic as you are rendering things “server-side”. Its how the internet was largely dynamic in the early days, which fell out of favor of client-side rendering. However, today hybrid approaches where you more or less rendering front-end code on the back-end first, then re-hydrate on clients blurs the lines heavily.
TLDR: I’d learn to at least to understand the context to where it would or would not apply on the back-end.
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It’s good to have basic knowledge. To go a little broader, in any kind of workflow beyond just programming, it’s good to have some basic knowledge on what’s happening before and after your part.
That said, if you’re looking for just general HTML and CSS knowledge, you can probably just watch a general YouTube video or two. freeCodeCamp is good, but this curriculum really drills down pretty hard into syntax and nuances.
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Welcome to the forum @Shygull
Good question.
I’ll ask you a question. If someone wants to become a mechanic, do they need to understand how the brake and accelerator pedals and steering wheel work, or can they just study the engine to become a good mechanic?
I think a working knowledge of the engine as part of a larger, integrated system, is essential both for a career and for diagnosing the root cause of bugs.
At some point, someone may ask you to code some HTML or CSS to temporarily fix an issue with the backend. And if you have some additional skills in your toolkit, you instantly become more marketable.
JavaScript is quite tough, but HTML and CSS will help prepare you for it.
Happy coding
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You made the point I was trying to make on my post a lot better than I did.
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Thank you! Your example made it clear 
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