I occasionally like to play with various programming languages, but the only one that I am fluent in is AutoLISP (used to program commands in AutoCAD.) In general, the mechanics of programming are the same, regardless of the language you use.

I do my own HTML formatting and am starting to understand the basics of Javascript. My current editor is Arachnophilia - a beautiful program by Paul Lutus. He calls it "care ware" and suggests that an appropriate payment for the use of the software is for the user to stop whining for awhile. It's a pretty slick program, with lots of useful composition and debugging tools - and with some basic programming knowledge, it's the perfect program for a web-hobbyist such as myself.

My personal approach to programming is to start with a concept (what do I want the program to do?) and then come up with the code to make it happen. Sometimes I borrow the code directly from sites such as HTML Goodies, Javascripts.com, or Webmonkey, sometimes I tweak the code a bit until I have exactly what I want (that's how I learn) and sometimes I have to figure it out on my own.