S/fur thread

s/fur thread
I want to make a website which, although not strictly a chat client, would function very similarly to one.
Where do I start with this though?
I've never really understood how to program a server.

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What's your starting point? HTML/CSS are what you need for the website itself, for the chat function php or [spoiler]JavaScript[/spoiler] will help out a lot.

Javascript I can do fine aside from sending and receiving data, which I have yet to learn how to do.
But is PHP appropriate for permanent operation of a server rather than generating HTML?

JavaScript will be your best bet then, it's just not my cup of tea is all. It is definitely powerful enough to do what your wanting.

Are you planning to host the site yourself?

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dreamweaver

Isn't Javascript client only though?
I really don't know.

And it'd be nice if I could emulate having a server just on my computer to save the hassle of setting up a site until the program is finished.
Dunno how to do that though, except for simple PHP programs.