I have started to compile a list of skills that are required to be a good web developer working with EPiServer CMS and the Microsoft platform. This list includes links to Pluralsight on-line training to improve these skills so new employees and trainees can work independently to learn what they need.
Note that several of the recommended courses are on a beginner’s level and can probably just be browsed through quickly by an experienced developer. Some of the content of the courses are also a little bit out of scope or advanced. I have tried to indicate where there are areas that can be skipped.
1 Front-end development skills
A major part of creating modern web sites is knowledge about how you developing for web browsers. There is a lot of progress with new emerging standards but understanding the basics is also important.
1.1 HTML
1.1.1 HTML Fundamentals
HTML markup is the heart of any web application and this course will teach you the fundamentals of HTML.
1.1.2 HTML Forms
Learn how to create and process HTML forms to allow users to submit data to your web server.
1.2 HTTP
1.2.1 HTTP Fundamentals
Everything a web developer should know about HTTP.
1.3 CSS
1.3.1 Introduction to CSS
This course introduces you to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
1.3.2 CSS3
An introduction to the exciting enhancements in CSS3!
1.3.3 A Better CSS: LESS and SASS
LESS and SASS can style sheets more readable, maintainable and easier to write.
NB! Focus on learning LESS.
1.4 Javascript
1.4.1 JavaScript Fundamentals
Everything a beginner needs to get started programming with JavaScript
1.4.2 JavaScript for C# Developers
Most developers have to dive into JavaScript at some point. This course will help you map your C# skills to JavaScript. With Node.js, Web Development and WinRT all requiring JavaScript, C# developers need to know this important language.
1.4.3 JavaScript Design Patterns
Useful design patterns for JavaScript development
1.4.4 Structuring JavaScript Code
This course walks through several key patterns that can be used to encapsulate and modularize JavaScript code. Throughout the course you’ll learn how closures and other techniques can be used to better organize your JavaScript code and make it easier to re-use and maintain in HTML5 applications.
1.5 Web Frameworks
1.5.1 jQuery Fundamentals
This course will guide you through the features of the jQuery "write less, do more" library
1.5.2 jQuery Advanced Topics
A deep look at several advanced concepts in jQuery from performance to plugins to promises
1.6 User interface design.
A good to have understanding of how to design good user interfaces for end users. Remember that we have both the visitors of the site and the web editors as our users!
1.6.1 Creating User Experiences: Fundamental Design Principles
An entry point for developers to begin learning more about UI/UX design
1.7 Miscellaneous
1.7.1 Web Performance
This course will focus primarily on how to use techniques to reduce the number of files that must be requested, the size of the files, and how often the files need to be requested to increase performance
1.7.2 Google Analytics Fundamentals
Quickly master Google Analytics with this hands-on, scenario-driven course, and start measuring the performance of your websites today.
2 Generic development skills for Microsoft stack
2.1 Microsoft.NET framework and C#
2.1.1 Introduction to C# and .NET
This course introduces you to the .NET Framework, using the C# language
2.1.2 CLR Fundamentals
CLR Fundamentals is designed to provide .NET developers with a firm understanding of managed execution on the .NET Framework.
NB! You can skip Win32 and COM Interop!
2.1.3 C# Fundamentals – Part 1
This course is designed to give you everything you need to become a productive C# developer on the .NET platform
2.1.4 C# Fundamentals – Part 2
At its core, C# is an object-oriented, statically-typed language that lends itself to procedural and object-oriented programming, but recent additions to the language have made it much easier to develop using other programming paradigms, most notably, dynamic
2.1.5 LINQ Fundamentals
This course covers the general purpose query facilities of Language Integrated Query (LINQ)
2.2 Visual Studio
2.2.1 Introduction to Visual Studio 2012 – Part 1
Introduces Visual Studio 2012 to people who may have never used it before. Includes productivity boosters for everyone.
2.2.2 Introducing to Visual Studio 2012 – Part 2
Learn to debug applications, the tricks of the designers, and how to install useful extensions to increase your Visual Studio capabilities.
2.3 Source Control and Change Management
Avantime uses TFS for Source Control (your company may use other tools). In addition to general understanding version control of digital assets (like source code) and change management we have additional best practices and processes.
2.3.1 Team Foundation Server 2010 Version Control
Introduces version control features of Team Foundation Server 2010 to people who may have never used it before.
2.3.2 Your company’s SCCM processes
This is something you have to find elsewhere…
2.4 Debugging
2.4.1 Introduction to .NET Debugging using Visual Studio 2010
This course teaches how to use the Visual Studio 2010 powerful debugging features to hunt down tough bugs.
2.4.2 Debugging the Web
The tools for debugging web pages and JavaScript are powerful. This course will help you get familiar with all the relevant tooling.
2.4.3 Fiddler
Learn how to use the popular Fiddler freeware web tracing tool.
2.5 Miscellaneous
2.5.1 Introduction to MSBuild
All about MSBuild, the underlying technology used to build your software.
2.5.2 Introduction to NuGet
This is a basic introduction to the NuGet library package management and dependency system that is integrated with Visual Studio. In this course, you will learn how to create and publish NuGet Packages. You will also learn how to host your own NuGet feed and gallery.
3 Backend web developer skills for Microsoft ASP.NET
3.1 IIS
3.1.1 IIS for Developers
This course teaches developers how to setup, configure, and manage IIS.
3.1.2 Extending IIS 7.5 with Modules and Handlers
IIS 7.5 has a modular architecture and is extensible using managed .NET code, so we can install only what we need and replace or extend how the web server behaves.
3.2 ASP.NET WebForms
3.2.1 ASP.NET 3.5 Fundamentals
Learn how to build modern, responsive Web applications on the Windows platform using ASP.NET.
3.2.2 ASP.NET 3.5 Security
Learn how to secure your ASP.NET Web applications.
3.2.3 ASP.NET 3.5 Advanced Topics
This course covers more advanced topics in ASP.NET 3.5 including the HTTP Pipeline, custom controls, and asynchronous pages.
NB! Skip Web Parts.
3.2.4 ASP.NET 4.0 New Features
New features introduced in ASP.NET 4.0.
4 Business layer and Data layer
4.1 SQL Server
4.1.1 Introduction to SQL Server
An introduction to relational databases and SQL Server.
4.2 Entity Framework
4.2.1 Entity Framework 4.1 – Code First
This course introduces viewers to Entity Framework 4.1 including Code First Data Annotations and the Code First Fluent API.
4.2.2 Entity Framework 4.1 – DbContext Data Access
The EF 4.1 DbContext API works with Code First, Database First, and Model First and provides a simplified, productive environment for building all types of data-backed applications.
4.2.3 Entity Framework Code First Migrations
Evolving your database along with your model.