Front-end Web Development: Difference between revisions

From Noisebridge
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 41: Line 41:


<div style="background:#eeeeff;padding:0 10px .5em;margin-top: .5em">
<div style="background:#eeeeff;padding:0 10px .5em;margin-top: .5em">
=== Class for 2012-08-20: Progressive enhancement ===
=== Class for 2012-08-27: Backend web development ===
For tomorrow's class, we'll be talking about progressive enhancement - a practice where websites are created in a layered way that makes them accessible and cross-browser friendly. We'll be looking at [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class18/lecture.zip an example site] and demonstrate how it adheres to these principles. We've touched on these concepts throughout the whole class, but on Monday we'll focus on why they're important, and what could happen if you DON'T adhere to them.
Monday's class is all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend! We'll be talking about HTTP, web servers (like Apache), preprocessor languages (like PHP and ERB), web frameworks (like Rails), and databases (like SQLite). Sound daunting? Well, it kind of is, but this 2-hour session should alleviate a small portion of your fears!


As part of the class, we'll use a Chrome extension called ChromeVox, which is a free screen reader for the web. We'll also be using virtual machines to run older versions of Internet Explorer on my Mac.
To prepare for this class, either set up a PHP-powered web server on your laptop, or get an account at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ NearlyFreeSpeech.NET].
 
Can't make it to the lecture? Want to view it remotely? [https://plus.google.com/events/crmk4k0sgr6754pikpqmk939ttk/109330412848890683860 Join this event and be notified of when the live video stream is available!]
</div>
</div>



Revision as of 17:03, 24 August 2012

What

Learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript - and put them to good use! This class, taught by Jeffrey Carl Faden, is aimed at beginners who are interested in web development, as well as seasoned professionals looking to brush up on the latest and greatest.

Frontend web development is all about making code that runs in the browser (versus code that runs on the server). There isn't a big focus on web design (creating wireframes and mockups), but we do cover best practices for turning these designs into beautiful code.

Who

This class is for everyone! Complete beginners and more experienced developers are welcome at any time. You don't need to wait for the class to start its curriculum over - if you're new to the class, consider coming to the lecture at 7:30 for a recap.

The space and the class are entirely free to attend. You do not have to be a Noisebridge member.

Please bring any kind of laptop.

When

Lectures start promptly at 8pm on Mondays and go for two hours. There is a half-hour recap starting at 7:30pm. Please try to arrive early as physical space is limited.

Labs start at 8pm on Thursdays and can go up to two hours.

Where

Noisebridge, 2169 Mission St., San Francisco, 94114 (at 18th St., near 16th St. BART station). Getting Here

The lecture is currently held in the Church classroom, which is in the back of the space.

The lab is currently held in the Turing classroom, the room past the wood shop.

Read up on getting in to the space. TL;DR: ring the bell!

Keep Informed

Join the WebDev or Noisebridge-announce mailing lists to be notified of upcoming class topics via email.

Lecture

Weekly classroom-style presentation on HTML/CSS/JS. The lecture starts every Monday at 8pm. We also have a recap starting at 7:30pm, where we'll cover the (very) basics:

  • Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
  • Discussing tools of the trade
  • Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
  • Writing a basic HTML page
  • Styling the page with basic CSS

Class for 2012-08-27: Backend web development

Monday's class is all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend! We'll be talking about HTTP, web servers (like Apache), preprocessor languages (like PHP and ERB), web frameworks (like Rails), and databases (like SQLite). Sound daunting? Well, it kind of is, but this 2-hour session should alleviate a small portion of your fears!

To prepare for this class, either set up a PHP-powered web server on your laptop, or get an account at NearlyFreeSpeech.NET.

Previous classes

We discuss a different topic in-depth every week. Some previous topics have been:

Future class ideas

  • CSS grids
  • Precompiled code (Less, Sass, Compass, CoffeScript, HAML)

Lab

We also meet for a weekly lab/workshop where we work on an assignment that covers the material learned in the lecture earlier in the week. Those working on their own personal projects are also more than welcome to come and solicit help. Every Thursday at 8pm.

Quiz for 2012-08-23