I am trying to get into more advanced web scripting to create web apps and just have a better knowledge of my field, so my to-do list of reading includes javascript, ajax, dom, php, xhtml and dhtml.

I was just wondering what the most beneficial order of learning would be on the above. I know it depends really on what I am after but as I said, really web apps and understanding scripting libraries (such as mootools, scriptalicious, prototype) a bit more to achieve nice effects (and useful ones)for example invoice generator, support ticket system or just some nifty ajax/javascript effects. Suggestions would be great, thanks.

Here is the way I would do it.

XHTML
CSS
Javascript
DOM
PHP
Ajax

Jamie

XHTML
CSS
Javascript
PHP
DOM
Ajax

I'd think about getting comfortable with the document object model as a first step ... it doesn't really become hands-on until you get to javascript, but you really can't do js without understanding the dom.

And the better you understand the technical and structural concept of an html document - which in some ways is like a file system that has nested folders and files inside of them - the better quality xhtml you'll be able to write from the start.

The correct answer may not come from a thread such as this...it may come as the result of your applications themselves. The only common starting point is XHTML and CSS.

After that, you may need to learn ASP because the people you work with are familiar with Access and want to download databases (it does happen). You may need to learn PHP to work with forums. You may need to learn Javascript for client-side interactive elements. There are about a million ways you could go...and the best thing you may find is what I did, to learn what you need to on the fly (it's not easy, though.)