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 2015-05-18: version control (Git) and the command line ====
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 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.


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].
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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snVPNYWmYZE Lecture video]'''
During the half-hour before the class, we'll help people set up Git on their computers. On OS X, you'll need to download Xcode from the App Store, and on Windows you should install [http://msysgit.github.io/ Git for Windows]. Also, please sign up for a [https://github.com GitHub] account.


==== Class for 2013-10-14: Backend web development ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xy8U4B7834 Lecture video]<br>
This class was all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend!
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/shakespeare7 Lecture materials]


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.
==== Class for 2015-05-11: the mobile web ====
We'll take [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/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), mobile frameworks (and why they're not perfect), and the use of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website and app development.


Here are the steps used for class preparation:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cGwDv1MSPU Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


----
==== Class for 2014-10-06: 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.


===== THE EASY WAY: =====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2hGbVqTpXo Lecture video]<br>
If you would like to follow along, the easiest option is to run a virtual machine:
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class16/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
* 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)]
* Double-click the .ova file. You should check the "reinitialize the MAC address" step.
* 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.


===== THE HARDER WAY: =====
==== Class for 2015-04-27: HTML5 elements ====
If you don't want to use a virtual machine.
We'll take an entertaining (in my opinion) look through [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/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.


On Linux, you'll need to follow these steps:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs7fXiMmxbo Lecture video]
* https://github.com/joshfng/railsready
** When installing, choose RVM.
** Also run <code>sudo apt-get install nodejs</code>
* https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP


On Windows or Mac OS X:
==== Class for 2015-04-20: 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 easy. We'll add Ajax functionality to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip the Twitter app] and, time permitting, the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip corporate site]. We'll use these [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class14/php.zip PHP files] to test them out.


* Start with RailsInstaller: http://railsinstaller.org/
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].
* And for PHP:
** Mac: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html
** Windows: http://www.wampserver.com/en/


===== THE HARDEST WAY: =====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uKphYn9eQI Lecture video]<br>
Install Apache, PHP, RVM, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


'''No video for this class. :('''
==== Class for 2015-04-13: 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.


==== Class for 2013-10-07: Version control (Git) and the command line ====
We'll set up free web hosting accounts at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net NearlyFreeSpeech.NET] (which you should sign up for now), and upload to them using [http://filezilla-project.org the FileZilla client] (which you should install now).
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.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgRrffUuLo Lecture video]


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).
==== Class for 2015-04-06: Forms ====
We'll continue working on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class11/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.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYh4o3R_Hak Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg7wmtJlK2M Lecture video]<br>
'''[https://github.com/jeffreyatw/shakespeare The repository we worked on]'''
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-09-30: Old vs. new: progressive enhancement and browser testing ====
==== Class for 2015-03-30: Bootstrap ====
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.
We'll go back to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class6/lecture.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://getbootstrap.com/ Bootstrap] to make common user controls easier to create. We'll also compare our CSS-only menu with one made with the help of Bootstrap, explaining the differences between the two.


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.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImtSy7Atv4g Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


We also mentioned [http://modernizr.com Modernizr], [http://necolas.github.io/normalize.css/ Normalize.css], and [http://html5boilerplate.com/ HTML5 Boilerplate].
==== Class for 2015-03-23: jQuery, cont'd ====
We'll continue learning about jQuery by focusing on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class9/lecture.zip the example we worked on last class]. We'll add functionality to it that will make it seem more like the real thing.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p208hZ5Mg8M Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdwAizbinKw Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class19/sites.zip Lecture materials]'''
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-09-23: The mobile web ====
==== Class for 2015-03-16: jQuery ====
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.
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.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p208hZ5Mg8M Lecture video]'''<br>
To learn what jQuery can do, we'll add some scripting to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class9/assets.zip this sample web app].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class18/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-09-16: CSS3 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm7zsESGeE0 Lecture video]<br>
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://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv-bHgEPSVw Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2015-03-09: JavaScript, cont'd ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.


==== Class for 2013-09-09: HTML5 elements ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hYHCzIryyc Lecture video]<br>
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.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-ZaoiEt2Qw Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2015-03-02: JavaScript ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class16/html.zip Lecture materials]'''
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.


==== Class for 2013-08-26: ClassName Swap, Language Review, RTFM, by Garrett Smith ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18dlNI3C87s Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class7/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


===== Lesson: CSS ClassName Swap =====
==== Class for 2015-02-23: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
By changing an element's <code>className</code> multiple styles can be changed at one time.  
We will continue working off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup], its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version], and its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip image assets] and learn a bit about CSS3 in the process.


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.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/lecture.zip Here's where we left off last time.]


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=tPljsmaygZc Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


====== Calculating Selector's Specificity ([http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS2/cascade.html#specificity CSS 2.1]). ======
==== Class for 2015-02-09: Working from professional mockups ====
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'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].


CSS Selector specificity is determined four numbers, a-b-c-d, in a number system with a large base.
'''No video for this class. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OralfEawmM4 Here's last series's video.]'''<br>
<blockquote cite="http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS2/cascade.html#specificity">
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/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 2015-02-02: CSS positioning ====
Unschooling and autodidacticism; an Intro to [http://www.catb.org/jargon/html/R/RTFM.html RTFM], RTFFAQ, and SFTW.
In the last few classes, we've focused on element measurements and floats. This time, we'll focus on positioning of elements: using absolute, relative, or fixed positioning to put the elements anywhere we want on the whole page. We'll use [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class4/mockup.png this mockup] along with [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class4/assets.zip these assets] to put together a page that demonstrates positioning.


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.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6pJlM6Hsjo Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class4/lecture.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 2015-01-26: CSS floats ====
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].
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.


===== JavaScript Review =====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpI-3yvswgY Lecture video]<br>
====== Functions ======
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class3/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 2015-01-12: CSS selectors and the box model ====
* [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]
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.
Other versions of ECMAScript, including E4X and Compact, are out of scope for this class.


====== FAQ ======
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzDENIp705U 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/series7/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-08-12: More useful jQuery plugins ====
==== Class for 2015-01-05: the basics ====
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:
<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:
* [http://jqueryui.com/demos/datepicker/ Datepicker (jQuery UI)] - fancy datepickers appearing near your input fields
* Explaining "front-end" vs. "back-end"
* [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>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class15/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-08-05: Sign-up forms ====
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.
 
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGJPBfWJWRc Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-07-29: Modals and menus ====
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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge2ZECyRRf8 Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class13/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-07-22: AJAX ====
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://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-07-15: jQuery, 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.
 
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Bublxub3w Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-07-08: jQuery ====
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.
 
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=IP3MgfcStxg Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-07-01: JavaScript, cont'd ====
We continued discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.
 
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Q5DhW8jpA Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-06-24: JavaScript ====
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.
 
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfd78FpYPuI Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-06-17: HTTP & SFTP ====
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.
 
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].
 
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfJxBeNzbvQ Lecture video]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-06-03: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
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.
 
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]).
 
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMeTFrR1rtA Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-05-20: Working from professional mockups ====
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=1Y6MxRAPfLs Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2013-05-13: CSS positioning ====
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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxROKEWIjB8 Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== 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 before 8pm, as physical space is limited. Bring a laptop!


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmDCjhCuNtU Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eydq4iapY98 Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


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

Revision as of 09:40, 21 May 2015

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

Class for 2015-05-18: 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.

During the half-hour before the class, we'll help people set up Git on their computers. On OS X, you'll need to download Xcode from the App Store, and on Windows you should install Git for Windows. Also, please sign up for a GitHub account.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-05-11: 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), mobile frameworks (and why they're not perfect), and the use of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website and app development.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-10-06: 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 2015-04-27: 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

Class for 2015-04-20: 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 easy. We'll add Ajax functionality to the Twitter app and, time permitting, the corporate site. We'll use these PHP files to test them 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 2015-04-13: 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 (which you should sign up for now), and upload to them using the FileZilla client (which you should install now).

Lecture video

Class for 2015-04-06: 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 2015-03-30: Bootstrap

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 Bootstrap to make common user controls easier to create. We'll also compare our CSS-only menu with one made with the help of Bootstrap, explaining the differences between the two.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-23: jQuery, cont'd

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-16: 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 2015-03-09: JavaScript, cont'd

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-02: 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 2015-02-23: Working from professional mockups, cont'd

We will continue working off of this mockup, its annotated version, and its image assets and learn a bit about CSS3 in the process.

Here's where we left off last time.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-02-09: 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. Here's last series's video.
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-02-02: CSS positioning

In the last few classes, we've focused on element measurements and floats. This time, we'll focus on positioning of elements: using absolute, relative, or fixed positioning to put the elements anywhere we want on the whole page. We'll use this mockup along with these assets to put together a page that demonstrates positioning.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-26: 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-12: 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-05: 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 before 8pm, as physical space is limited. Bring a laptop!

Lecture video
Lecture materials


Notes archive