Ask HN: How do I begin web development without local files?

So, for the moment and for the forseeable future, I'm stuck on an iPad and library computers. I know html and CSS relatively well, but I would like to learn how to build a fairly simple web app and database.

Am I stuck? I am primarily using cpanel to write html. It's kind of a bummer, but it works, slowly.

I've begun learning python on codeacademy, but I'm definately not at the point of writing an app with it. I don't even know how to install the thing on a server.

Sorry for the totally clueless post, but even a couple of web apps to google or something would help me out a lot! Thanks.