Study Shows Web Professionals Reaching Out to Peers for Information

JavaScriptSearch
Monday, November 6, 2006; 07:31 AM

Ektron, Inc., developer of web content management software, and SitePoint, which runs sitepoint.com, one of the most visited sites in the world, announced that their survey of web professionals – one of the largest ever conducted – showed developers increasingly turn to web-based resources to keep their skills sharp and their knowledge up-to-date.

“The State of Web Development 2006/2007” report, which analyzes the responses of 5,000 web developers to chart progress in the world of the Web, provide insight into current realities and uncover new trends within the developer community

The survey consisted of 15 questions, including queries about how web developers are learning about new technologies, where they look for information and what they’re trying to find out about right now. Although books remain a widely used reference, the predominant source of information is articles found on the Web. Community-based sources, such as forums and blogs, are growing in importance as well.

The areas of greatest interest are largely technology independent, with best practices, design, usability and search engine optimization heading the list. On the technology front, AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) garners the most interest.

In keeping with the distinct web developer personalities identified by the survey – guru, entrepreneur, designer and corporate – it seems that the different niches of the technical audience look in different places for information that will extend their knowledge.

“The State of Web Development 2006/2007” includes additional in-depth analysis regarding web developers’ resources for learning. For more about the report, visit http://www.sitepoint.com/launch/ektron/3/68. A free preview is available at http://www.sitepoint.com/reports/reportwebsurvey2006/freepreview.php.