Front-end Web Development/Notes: Difference between revisions

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Notes from previous [[Frontend Web Development]] classes.
Notes from previous [[Front-end Web Development]] classes.


==== Class for 2013-10-21: Preprocessors ====
==== Class for 2014-04-21: back-end web development ====
Frontend code can often get very repetitive and hard to maintain. We expanded upon last week's talk about the "view" layer by introducing preprocessors - languages which compile into HTML, CSS, or JS. We've taken a look at PHP and ERB, but we also walked through languages that look nothing like HTML (HAML), and languages that compile into CSS (Less, Sass + Compass) and JS (CoffeeScript). These languages can make your life much easier as they help keep you from repeating yourself (DRY!). We also introduced Middleman, one of many workflow systems that makes using these languages easy.
This class is all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend!


To prepare for this class, consider installing [https://rvm.io/ RVM] with the --ruby=2.0 flag if you're using OS X or Linux, or Ruby via [http://rubyinstaller.org/ RubyInstaller] for Windows. If you really want a head start, you can then install [http://middlemanapp.com/ Middleman].
I know we already have a [[Backend_web_dev_in_Ruby_on_Rails|Rails class here at Noisebridge]], but this one is tailored toward front-end developers wanting to get a taste of how things come together. We'll talk about PHP, then Express.js, then Rails.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snVPNYWmYZE Lecture video]'''<br>
During the recap period, we will set up your computers. But it's best to do this before arriving if possible. Here are the steps used for class preparation:
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class22/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-10-14: Backend web development ====
This class was all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend!
 
I know we already have a [[Backend_web_dev_in_Ruby_on_Rails|backend class here at Noisebridge]], but this one was tailored toward frontend developers wanting to get a taste of how things come together. We spent the first half talking about PHP, then moved onto a Rails, a more complex example.
 
Here are the steps used for class preparation:


----
----


===== THE EASY WAY: =====
===== THE EASY WAY =====
If you would like to follow along, the easiest option is to run a virtual machine:
If you would like to follow along, the easiest option is to run a virtual machine.
* Install [https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads VirtualBox AND the Extension Pack]
* Install [https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads VirtualBox AND the Extension Pack]
* [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class21/Ubuntu.ova Download this preconfigured Ubuntu virtual machine (1.84GB)]
* [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class19/Ubuntu.ova Download this preconfigured Ubuntu virtual machine (1.88GB)]
* Double-click the .ova file. You should check the "reinitialize the MAC address" step.
* Double-click the .ova file. You should check the "reinitialize the MAC address" step.
* Start the machine after installation and you're all set!
* Start the machine after installation and you're all set!
* System username and password are both "frontend". Feel free to change them if that's uncomfortable.
* System username and password are both "front-end". Feel free to change them if that's uncomfortable.


===== THE HARDER WAY: =====
===== THE HARDER WAY =====
If you don't want to use a virtual machine.
If you don't want to use a virtual machine.


On Linux, you'll need to follow these steps:
On Linux, you'll need to follow these steps:
* https://github.com/joshfng/railsready
* Run:
** <code>sudo apt-get install nodejs</code>
** <code>sudo apt-get install npm</code>
* <code>wget --no-check-certificate https://raw.github.com/joshfng/railsready/master/railsready.sh && bash railsready.sh</code>
** When installing, choose RVM.
** When installing, choose RVM.
** Also run <code>sudo apt-get install nodejs</code>
* https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP
* https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP


On Windows or Mac OS X:
On OS X 10.9:
* Install Node.JS: http://nodejs.org/
* To install Rails, run:
** <code>curl -O https://raw.github.com/joshfng/railsready/master/railsready.sh && bash railsready.sh</code>
*** When installing, choose RVM.
* For PHP, install MAMP: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html


* Start with RailsInstaller: http://railsinstaller.org/
On Windows or OS X 10.8 and below:
* http://nodejs.org/ - install Node.JS
* Use RailsInstaller: http://railsinstaller.org/
* And for PHP:
* And for PHP:
** Mac: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html
** Mac: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html
** Windows: http://www.wampserver.com/en/
** Windows: http://www.wampserver.com/en/


===== THE HARDEST WAY: =====
===== THE HARDEST WAY =====
Install Apache, PHP, RVM, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!
Install Node.JS, NPM, Apache, PHP, RVM, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!
 
'''No video for this class. :('''
 
==== Class for 2013-10-07: Version control (Git) and the command line ====
This class was a general overview on version control and the command line. I've taught how to use an FTP client to upload files to the web, but the truth is that most developers don't do that anymore - rather, they collaborate with their peers by using version control systems, which allows them to keep track of their work in a reliable fashion and push it to the web.
 
Again, this class wasn't about web development per se - it was just an important introduction to using the command line to work with Git, one of the most popular version control systems. Everyone created their own fork of a repository and checked in their work.
 
We signed up for a free account at [https://github.com/ GitHub] and installed [http://git-scm.com/ Git]. Those on Windows installed [http://msysgit.github.com/ Git for Windows] (all default options are fine).
 
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYh4o3R_Hak Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[https://github.com/jeffreyatw/shakespeare The repository we worked on]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-09-30: Old vs. new: progressive enhancement and browser testing ====
We talked about progressive enhancement - a practice where websites are created in a layered way that makes them accessible and cross-browser friendly. We looked at [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class19/sites.zip two versions of an example site] and demonstrated how one is outdated, and the other adheres to progressive enhancement principles. We've touched on these concepts throughout the whole class, but in this class we focused on why they're important, and what could happen if you DON'T adhere to them.
 
This segued into a talk about browser testing - how to do it and what to look out for. We suggested using [http://modern.ie modern.IE] for virtualization tools.
 
We also mentioned [http://modernizr.com Modernizr], [http://necolas.github.io/normalize.css/ Normalize.css], and [http://html5boilerplate.com/ HTML5 Boilerplate].
 
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p208hZ5Mg8M Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class19/sites.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-09-23: The mobile web ====
We took [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class17/blog.zip this blog] and turned it into a mobile-accessible website via the use of media queries. We also talked about the rest of the world of the mobile web: user agent strings, frameworks like jQuery Mobile and Sencha Touch, and the future of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website and app development.
 
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p208hZ5Mg8M Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class18/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-09-16: CSS3 ====
We'd covered CSS3 before, but in the context of a mockup. We looked further into CSS3 with a demonstration of what the new technologies are, how to make the most of them, and how to make sites using them look good in less capable browsers.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv-bHgEPSVw Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMz7lvi9aWI Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-09-09: HTML5 elements ====
==== Class for 2014-04-14: version control (Git) and the command line ====
We took an entertaining (in my opinion) look through [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class16/html.zip this page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5" elements, but that's just because they're relatively new.
This class is a general overview on version control and the command line. I've taught how to use an FTP client to upload files to the web, but the truth is that most developers don't do that anymore - rather, they collaborate with their peers by using version control systems, which allows them to keep track of their work in a reliable fashion and push it to the web.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ZaoiEt2Qw Lecture video]'''<br>
Again, this class isn't about web development per se - it's just an important introduction to using the command line to work with Git, one of the most popular version control systems. Everyone will create their own fork of a repository and check in their work.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class16/html.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-08-26: ClassName Swap, Language Review, RTFM, by Garrett Smith ====
There is no recap period for this class.


===== Lesson: CSS ClassName Swap =====
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gyokfBklfI Lecture video]'''<br>
By changing an element's <code>className</code> multiple styles can be changed at one time.  
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class18/shell-cheatsheet.txt Lecture materials]'''


Using the descendant selector, and changing the <code>className</code> of an ancestor element, multiple elements can be updated simultaneously, with a modicum of highly efficient code.
==== Class for 2014-04-07: The mobile web ====
We'll take [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class17/blog.zip this blog] and turn it into a mobile-accessible website via the use of media queries. We'll also talk about the rest of the world of the mobile web: user agent strings (and why you shouldn't trust them), frameworks like jQuery Mobile and Sencha Touch (and why they're not perfect), and the future of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website and app development.


For Styles, replace a loop that applies styles to descendants by adding a class token to the nearest common ancestor ([http://jibbering.com/faq/notes/code-guidelines/descendant-sel.html example], [http://jibbering.com/faq/notes/code-guidelines/#design explanation]).
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-jU1ALAayA Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


====== Calculating Selector's Specificity ([http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS2/cascade.html#specificity CSS 2.1]). ======
==== Class for 2014-03-31: CSS3 ====
The classname swap example leverages the fact that class selectors (e.g. <code>.foo</code>) have higher specificity than element selectors (e.g. <code>tr</code>).
We've covered CSS3 before, but in the context of a mockup. We'll look further into CSS3 with a demonstration of what the new technologies are, how to make the most of them, and how to make sites using CSS3 look good in less capable browsers.


CSS Selector specificity is determined four numbers, a-b-c-d, in a number system with a large base.
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZx1h-9YYXA Lecture video]'''<br>
<blockquote cite="http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS2/cascade.html#specificity">
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class16/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
    count 1 if the declaration is from is a 'style' attribute rather than a rule with a selector, 0 otherwise (= a) (In HTML, values of an element's "style" attribute are style sheet rules. These rules have no selectors, so a=1, b=0, c=0, and d=0.)
    count the number of ID attributes in the selector (= b)
    count the number of other attributes and pseudo-classes in the selector (= c)
    count the number of element names and pseudo-elements in the selector (= d)
</blockquote>


===== RTFM =====
==== Class for 2014-03-24: HTML5 elements ====
Unschooling and autodidacticism; an Intro to [http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/R/RTFM.html RTFM], RTFFAQ, and SFTW.
We'll take an entertaining (in my opinion) look through [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class15/html.zip this page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5" elements, but that's just because they're relatively new.


Understanding defines the difference between the followers, who resort to mystical incantations or convoluted DOM libraries to do the work for them, and those who can implement project requirements, as specified, with [http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDMQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F13702091&ei=XN8eUtSTDuaaiQfo0oGwAw&usg=AFQjCNGkkzJmJXyBpBXpyVaHkpmsN1IUcQ&sig2=Ws2-2YmQJkgYwKCd7Bfx-Q&bvm=bv.51495398,d.aGc clean code (Vimeo)]. And not downloading free scripts off dynamic drive or [ jQuery], copying, or programming by observation.
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjtkKkZEAbQ Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class15/html.zip Lecture materials]'''


When misunderstandings or debates arise, and that happens fairly often, it is important how to find the answer using STFW and RTFM,
==== Class for 2014-03-17: Sign-up forms ====
and when that fails, how (and where ([https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/comp.infosystems.www.authoring.html CIWAS], [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/jsmentors JSMentors], [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/comp.lang.javascript c.l.js], [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/comp.infosystems.www.authoring.html ciwah]) to ask a [http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html smart question].
We'll continue working on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class13/lecture.zip our site] and add a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We'll learn about built-in HTML5 validation, but also use the [http://jqueryvalidation.org/ jQuery Validation plugin] to help us where browser support is necessary.


===== JavaScript Review =====
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSHmOcayp24 Lecture video]'''<br>
====== Functions ======
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
* [http://kangax.github.io/nfe/ FunctionExpression vs FunctionDeclaration], [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/comp.lang.javascript/tjVn1NjGDN8/QgOuxtAymqoJ MemberExpression], [http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/#sec-11.2.1 PropertyAccessor] and [http://jibbering.com/faq/notes/square-brackets/ Square Brackets].


====== Specifications ======
==== Class for 2014-03-10: Modals and menus ====
* [http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-262-arch.htm ECMAScript 1.3] and [http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/ ECMAScript 5.1]
We'll go back to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/noiseco.zip "professional" site we put together a number of weeks ago] and add more functionality to it with some jQuery plugins. We'll first make a dialog box - or a "modal" - pop up when you click the sign up buttons. We'll do this by introducing [http://jqueryui.com/ jQuery UI] to make common user controls easier to create. We'll also compare our CSS-only menu with one made with the help of jQuery, explaining the differences between the two.
Other versions of ECMAScript, including E4X and Compact, are out of scope for this class.


====== FAQ ======
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqqCLlciWtc Lecture video]'''<br>
[http://jibbering.com/faq/ FAQ], also hosted on [http://www.fortybelow.ca/hosted/comp-lang-javascript/faq/ Matt's site].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class13/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-08-12: More useful jQuery plugins ====
==== Class for 2014-03-03: AJAX ====
Our final jQuery-focused class touched on a number of other common plugins that are found in the wild. We took a closer look at Bootstrap and jQuery UI, and looked at plugins that make your page look super snazzy:
We'll talk about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this extremely easy. We'll add AJAX functionality to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class11/lecture.zip our app we've been building on]. We'll use this [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/tweet.php.zip PHP file] to test it out.
* [http://jqueryui.com/demos/datepicker/ Datepicker (jQuery UI)] - fancy datepickers appearing near your input fields
* [http://jqueryui.com/demos/accordion/ Accordion (jQuery UI)] - collapse and unfold lists of elements
* [http://getbootstrap.com/javascript/#scrollspy Scrollspy (Bootstrap)] - change navs to highlight where you are scrolled on a page
* [http://jquery.malsup.com/cycle2/ Cycle] - make easy slideshows
* [http://harvesthq.github.io/chosen/ Chosen] - style dropdowns


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRs9HOD0aMo Lecture video]'''<br>
If you don't already have web hosting, please sign up for some at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ NearlyFreeSpeech.NET] for free (or very cheap). Also, install the [https://filezilla-project.org/ FileZilla Client].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class15/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-08-05: Sign-up forms ====
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmwfupfKztk Lecture video]'''<br>
We continued working on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class13/lecture.zip our site] and added a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We used the [http://jqueryvalidation.org/ jQuery Validation plugin]. Validation is a very common request from clients and it comes in handy to know all the tips and tricks of forms and validation, and what new HTML5 elements can provide.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJPBfWJWRc Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2014-02-24: jQuery, cont'd ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
We'll continue learning about jQuery by focusing on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class10/lecture.zip the example we saw last class]. We'll add functionality to it that made it seem more like the real thing.


==== Class for 2013-07-29: Modals and menus ====
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eikIkAlVNlM Lecture video]'''<br>
We went back to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/noiseco.zip "professional" site we'd put together a number of weeks ago] and added more functionality to it with some jQuery plugins. We first made a dialog box - or a "modal" - pop up when you click the sign up buttons. We did this by introducing [http://jqueryui.com/ jQuery UI] to make common user controls easier to create. We also added some dropdown functionality to our menus using pure CSS, but explained that jQuery UI can help out with the subtle nuances of menus.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge2ZECyRRf8 Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2014-02-10: jQuery ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class13/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
We'll introduce jQuery, a JavaScript library that makes web programming a whole lot easier. jQuery is the most popular of many libraries that allow us to interact with the document easily, while also providing us with a few tools that are missing from the base language.


==== Class for 2013-07-22: AJAX ====
To learn what jQuery can do, we'll add some scripting to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/assets.zip this sample web app].
We talked about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this extremely easy. We added AJAX functionality to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class11/lecture.zip our app we've been building on]. We used this [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/tweet.php.zip PHP file] to test it out.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi1arhXXQsw Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvNAepROnes Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-07-15: jQuery, cont'd ====
==== Class for 2014-02-03: JavaScript, cont'd ====
We continued learning about jQuery by focusing on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/lecture.zip the example we saw last week]. We added functionality to it that made it seem more like the real thing.
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Bublxub3w Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHcmLkhMkhA Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-07-08: jQuery ====
==== Class for 2014-01-27: JavaScript ====
We introduced jQuery, a JavaScript library that makes web programming a whole lot easier. jQuery is the most popular of many libraries that allow us to interact with the document easily, while also providing us with a few tools that are missing from the base language.
We'll talk about JavaScript: making web pages interactive through client-side code. We'll use the console, which is part of the browser's developer tools, to demonstrate the basics of the language. This and next week's class can be treated as a general introduction to programming.


To learn what jQuery can do, we added some scripting to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/assets.zip this sample web app].
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNqTmmhEj8k Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP3MgfcStxg Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2014-01-20: HTTP & SFTP ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
We'll talk about file transfer: HTTP, which is the method of getting and sending information in the web browser, and SFTP, which is a method of securely uploading files to a web host.


==== Class for 2013-07-01: JavaScript, cont'd ====
We'll set up free web hosting accounts at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net NearlyFreeSpeech.NET], and upload to them using [http://filezilla-project.org the FileZilla client].
We continued discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Q5DhW8jpA Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8rpnf_BHxE Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class7/lecture.txt Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-06-24: JavaScript ====
==== Class for 2014-01-13: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
We talked about JavaScript: making web pages interactive through client-side code. We used the console, which is part of the browser's developer tools, to demonstrate the basics of the language. This and next week's class can be treated as a general introduction to programming.
We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, and positioning, and work off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup] and its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version] to make a site that could pass as a professional design (but don't take my word for it). [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip Image assets can be found here].


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfd78FpYPuI Lecture video]'''<br>
We didn't exactly finish, but I went ahead and put on the finishing touches. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/noiseco The final product can be found here] (but where we left off can be found in the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class6/lecture.zip lecture materials]).
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-06-17: HTTP & SFTP ====
'''No video for this class. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMeTFrR1rtA Try last series's video.]'''<br>
We talked about file transfer: HTTP, which is the method of getting and sending information in the web browser, and SFTP, which is a method of securely uploading files to a web host.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


We set up free web hosting accounts at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net NearlyFreeSpeech.NET], and uploaded to them using [http://filezilla-project.org the FileZilla client].
==== Class for 2014-01-06: Working from professional mockups ====
We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, and positioning, and work off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup] and its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version] to make a site that could pass as a professional design (but don't take my word for it). [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip Image assets can be found here].


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfJxBeNzbvQ Lecture video]'''
'''No video for this class. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y6MxRAPfLs Try last series's video.]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-06-03: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
==== Class for 2013-12-09: CSS positioning ====
We continued putting our professional-looking site together from [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class5/lecture.zip where we left off]. We focused on some fancy CSS3 techniques, and we saw how to make an interactive dropdown menu with no JavaScript.
In the last few classes, we've focused on element measurements and floats. This time, we'll focus on positioning of elements: spacing them out from other elements using margins, and using absolute, relative, or fixed positioning to put the elements anywhere we want on the whole page.


We didn't exactly finish, but I went ahead and put on the finishing touches. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/noiseco The final product can be found here] (but where we left off can be found in the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/lecture.zip lecture materials]).
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q453KMiCC2s Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMeTFrR1rtA Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2013-12-02: CSS floats ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We'll learn about floats by taking a look at some examples, then take a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and create a site from it.


==== Class for 2013-05-20: Working from professional mockups ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class3/answersheet.zip The site's final code (not finished in class) is here.]
We took the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, and positioning, and worked off of something given to us by a designer (me).


We worked off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup] and its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version] to make a site that could pass as a professional design (but don't take my word for it). [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip Image assets can be found here].
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw_U7YZzbW0 Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y6MxRAPfLs Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2013-11-18: CSS selectors and the box model ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
CSS selectors are probably the most complex part of the CSS language, so we'll look at them further in-depth. We'll also talk about the box model, the display concept that makes words and containers on the web look like they do.


==== Class for 2013-05-13: CSS positioning ====
'''No video for this class. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqQph1vry7A Try last series's video.]'''<br>
In the last few classes, we focused on element measurements and floats. This time, we focused on positioning of elements: spacing them out from other elements using margins, and using absolute, relative, or fixed positioning to put the elements anywhere we want on the whole page.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxROKEWIjB8 Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2013-11-11: the basics ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
<span style="color:green">'''THIS is the class to attend if you are a complete beginner!'''</span> We are starting the curriculum of this class from square one. We'll cover the very basics:
 
* Explaining "front-end" vs. "back-end"
==== Class for 2013-05-06: CSS floats ====
Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We learned about floats by taking a look at some examples, then took a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and created a site from it.
 
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j6oA4sS99U Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-04-22: CSS selectors and the box model ====
CSS selectors are probably the most complex part of the CSS language, so we looked at them further in-depth. We also talked about the box model, the display concept that makes words and containers on the web look like they do.
 
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqQph1vry7A Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-04-15: the basics ====
We covered the very basics:
* Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
* Discussing tools of the trade
* Discussing tools of the trade
* Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
* Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
* Writing a basic HTML page
* Writing a basic HTML page
* Styling the page with basic CSS
* Styling the page with basic CSS
* Explaining the role of frontend web development as a job and career
* Explaining the role of front-end web development as a job and career
 
No recap session for this class. Please show up '''promptly''' at or before 8pm, as physical space is limited. Bring a laptop!
 
P.S. This might be the last series I teach for a while. I might take a longer break after the end of the series (in about 6 months). We'll see. But if you've been meaning to attend, this is your chance!


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmDCjhCuNtU Lecture video]'''<br>
'''No video for this class. [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmDCjhCuNtU Try last series's video.]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


----
----


[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Notes archive]]
[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Notes archive]]

Revision as of 20:32, 22 April 2014

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

Class for 2014-04-21: back-end web development

This class is all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend!

I know we already have a Rails class here at Noisebridge, but this one is tailored toward front-end developers wanting to get a taste of how things come together. We'll talk about PHP, then Express.js, then Rails.

During the recap period, we will set up your computers. But it's best to do this before arriving if possible. Here are the steps used for class preparation:


THE EASY WAY

If you would like to follow along, the easiest option is to run a virtual machine.

THE HARDER WAY

If you don't want to use a virtual machine.

On Linux, you'll need to follow these steps:

On OS X 10.9:

On Windows or OS X 10.8 and below:

THE HARDEST WAY

Install Node.JS, NPM, Apache, PHP, RVM, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!

Lecture video

Class for 2014-04-14: version control (Git) and the command line

This class is a general overview on version control and the command line. I've taught how to use an FTP client to upload files to the web, but the truth is that most developers don't do that anymore - rather, they collaborate with their peers by using version control systems, which allows them to keep track of their work in a reliable fashion and push it to the web.

Again, this class isn't about web development per se - it's just an important introduction to using the command line to work with Git, one of the most popular version control systems. Everyone will create their own fork of a repository and check in their work.

There is no recap period for this class.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-04-07: The mobile web

We'll take this blog and turn it into a mobile-accessible website via the use of media queries. We'll also talk about the rest of the world of the mobile web: user agent strings (and why you shouldn't trust them), frameworks like jQuery Mobile and Sencha Touch (and why they're not perfect), and the future of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website and app development.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-31: CSS3

We've covered CSS3 before, but in the context of a mockup. We'll look further into CSS3 with a demonstration of what the new technologies are, how to make the most of them, and how to make sites using CSS3 look good in less capable browsers.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-24: HTML5 elements

We'll take an entertaining (in my opinion) look through this page containing every currently valid HTML element. Many of them are considered "HTML5" elements, but that's just because they're relatively new.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-17: Sign-up forms

We'll continue working on our site and add a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We'll learn about built-in HTML5 validation, but also use the jQuery Validation plugin to help us where browser support is necessary.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-10: Modals and menus

We'll go back to the "professional" site we put together a number of weeks ago and add more functionality to it with some jQuery plugins. We'll first make a dialog box - or a "modal" - pop up when you click the sign up buttons. We'll do this by introducing jQuery UI to make common user controls easier to create. We'll also compare our CSS-only menu with one made with the help of jQuery, explaining the differences between the two.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-03: AJAX

We'll talk about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this extremely easy. We'll add AJAX functionality to our app we've been building on. We'll use this PHP file to test it out.

If you don't already have web hosting, please sign up for some at NearlyFreeSpeech.NET for free (or very cheap). Also, install the FileZilla Client.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-02-24: jQuery, cont'd

We'll continue learning about jQuery by focusing on the example we saw last class. We'll add functionality to it that made it seem more like the real thing.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-02-10: jQuery

We'll introduce jQuery, a JavaScript library that makes web programming a whole lot easier. jQuery is the most popular of many libraries that allow us to interact with the document easily, while also providing us with a few tools that are missing from the base language.

To learn what jQuery can do, we'll add some scripting to this sample web app.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-02-03: JavaScript, cont'd

We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-01-27: JavaScript

We'll talk about JavaScript: making web pages interactive through client-side code. We'll use the console, which is part of the browser's developer tools, to demonstrate the basics of the language. This and next week's class can be treated as a general introduction to programming.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-01-20: HTTP & SFTP

We'll talk about file transfer: HTTP, which is the method of getting and sending information in the web browser, and SFTP, which is a method of securely uploading files to a web host.

We'll set up free web hosting accounts at NearlyFreeSpeech.NET, and upload to them using the FileZilla client.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-01-13: Working from professional mockups, cont'd

We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, and positioning, and work off of this mockup and its annotated version to make a site that could pass as a professional design (but don't take my word for it). Image assets can be found here.

We didn't exactly finish, but I went ahead and put on the finishing touches. The final product can be found here (but where we left off can be found in the lecture materials).

No video for this class. Try last series's video.
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-01-06: Working from professional mockups

We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, and positioning, and work off of this mockup and its annotated version to make a site that could pass as a professional design (but don't take my word for it). Image assets can be found here.

No video for this class. Try last series's video.
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-12-09: CSS positioning

In the last few classes, we've focused on element measurements and floats. This time, we'll focus on positioning of elements: spacing them out from other elements using margins, and using absolute, relative, or fixed positioning to put the elements anywhere we want on the whole page.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-12-02: CSS floats

Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We'll learn about floats by taking a look at some examples, then take a mockup and create a site from it.

The site's final code (not finished in class) is here.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-11-18: CSS selectors and the box model

CSS selectors are probably the most complex part of the CSS language, so we'll look at them further in-depth. We'll also talk about the box model, the display concept that makes words and containers on the web look like they do.

No video for this class. Try last series's video.
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-11-11: the basics

THIS is the class to attend if you are a complete beginner! We are starting the curriculum of this class from square one. We'll cover the very basics:

  • Explaining "front-end" vs. "back-end"
  • Discussing tools of the trade
  • Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
  • Writing a basic HTML page
  • Styling the page with basic CSS
  • Explaining the role of front-end web development as a job and career

No recap session for this class. Please show up promptly at or before 8pm, as physical space is limited. Bring a laptop!

P.S. This might be the last series I teach for a while. I might take a longer break after the end of the series (in about 6 months). We'll see. But if you've been meaning to attend, this is your chance!

No video for this class. Try last series's video.
Lecture materials


Notes archive