The best approach to web programming

It seems like a lot of people on this board hate the web, think it is a pile of shit, etc (or at least they despise many of the technologies which the web runs on).

People say that JavaScript is shit, but I feel like I have a pretty good command of it and don't see what all the fuss is about. Use === and most of your equality concerns are solved. Use jQuery and you can compensate for DOM browser inconsistencies. Use a framework like Backbone and you can keep your program organized.

And then there's a lot of cool things you can do with functions. I mean, there are still some other quirks that you need to live with, like for-in loops and undefined silliness. Am I really bad for liking this language, or does anyone else think that it is "legitimate" or at least a worthwhile language to continue practicing.

And what about server-side technologies? I've been dabbling in PHP (CakePHP), Ruby on Rails and Java Server Pages but it's hard for me to know which is best, if any. I currently appreciate MVC because all my old projects were very questionably-organized and I didn't know the best ways to pass data around, etc. But anyway, are they all just really bad, or is there any language or framework that can make web programming beautiful? (Laugh if you want, I'd like to know if it's possible or not.)

I've wanted to branch out and do some non-web stuff, though I usually get sucked back in because I want to get better at what I'm already *relatively* good at. Although I know web programming isn't very intellectually challenging either, so I know I'm missing out by not doing much else. I've done two courses in Java and have been writing some Ruby and Bash shell scripts to do math and audiobook things, but that's about it.

Is it safe for me to rely on web programming (like getting really good at it? I would consider myself intermediate, though I still haven't done any real jobs yet); or should I also devote my time to other stuff, and if so how much? (My current balance is about 90% web and 10% dicking around with Ruby and Bash.)

I'm still in school but am trying to build a foundation in some areas of computing that will aid me when I start working.

And I might install gentoo this weekend if I have time. Will read SICP over Christmas.

>>3
"People say that using elephant diarrhea as a lubricant is not a good idea. Just don't eat any of it and you will be fine!"

So I take it you are one of those people who think it is bad. I get that. The underlying question which I probably should have made a little more clear is: Why?

It's a little hard to take your metaphor seriously but I'll try: Is the dependence on libraries to solve problems the reason why the language is "so bad?" Or are jQuery and Backbone bad? Have you had any bad experiences with these technologies that justify your statement?

And I suppose these questions could just as easily apply to anyone else reading.