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.


=== Series 3 ===
==== Class for 2015-06-22: directives, routing and AJAX with AngularJS ====
==== Class for 2012-11-12: JavaScript ====
We'll continue learning the basics of [https://angularjs.org/ AngularJS] by learning how to encapsulate behavior into reusable elements, load data from the back-end, and create a site that acts as if it has multiple pages while still being a single-page app.
We talked about JavaScript: making webpages 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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP6_pd25-Ps Lecture video]'''<br>
We'll be building off the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class21/lecture.zip work from last week.]
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class7/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-11-05: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
This will be the last class in the series. Thanks for attending, and look forward to a new series in July!
We continued putting our professional-looking site together from [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class5/lecture.zip where we left off].


As a reminder, here is the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png mockup] and its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version]. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip Image assets can be found here].
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNiwtyf3M14 Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class22/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class11/index.html Here is the code that the mockup was based off of] - a good way to check your work. It might differ slightly from what we did in class.
==== Class for 2015-06-15: intro to AngularJS ====
We'll learn about the basics of [https://angularjs.org/ AngularJS], a popular client-side MVC application framework. Frameworks such as these make it easier to manage data-rich views by keeping everything in sync with each other, and with data in the back-end. To understand how libraries like AngularJS differ from [http://jquery.com jQuery], we'll be taking our [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip NoiseTwitter] app and converting it from one that uses jQuery into one that uses AngularJS instead.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvC4ZLFpbtE Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eNXStw0sGg Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class21/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-10-22: Working from professional mockups ====
==== Class for 2015-06-08: Preprocessors ====
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].
Front-end code can often get very repetitive and hard to maintain. We'll expand upon last week's talk about backend code generation by introducing preprocessors - languages which compile into HTML, CSS, or JS. We've taken a look at PHP and ERB, but we'll also walk through languages that look nothing like HTML (HAML), and languages that compile into CSS (Sass) and JS (CoffeeScript). These languages can make your life much easier as they help keep you from repeating yourself (DRY!). We'll also introduce Middleman, one of many workflow systems that makes using these languages easy.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to3-VjUPU64 Lecture video]'''<br>
To prepare for this class, please install [https://rvm.io/ RVM] with the <code>--ruby=2.2</code> flag if you're using OS X or Linux:
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-10-15: CSS floats ====
<pre>\curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable --ruby=2.2</pre>
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=yJeN9P8x1VE Lecture video]'''<br>
...then close and reopen a terminal window...
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-10-08: CSS positioning ====
<pre>rvm use 2.2</pre>
We focused on positioning of elements: spacing them out from other elements using margins, positioning them absolutely on the page, positioning them relatively, fixed and more.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTL_YDz3zmo Lecture video]'''<br>
Or for Windows, use [http://rubyinstaller.org/ RubyInstaller].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-10-01: CSS selectors and the box model ====
You can then install [http://middlemanapp.com/ Middleman]:
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.


'''No video for this class. :('''<br>
<pre>gem install middleman</pre>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-09-24: the basics ====
We'll be working on the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip NoiseCo site].
We covered the very basics:
 
* Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQD2bDc1-0 Lecture video]<br>
* Discussing tools of the trade
[https://github.com/jeffreyatw/noiseco Lecture materials]
* Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
 
* Writing a basic HTML page
==== Class for 2014-10-27: back-end web development ====
* Styling the page with basic CSS
This class is all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend!
* Explaining the role of frontend web development as a job and career


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r87aEOpelzQ Lecture video]'''<br>
I know we already have a [http://www.railsschool.org/ 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.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


=== Series 2 ===
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:
==== Class for 2012-09-10: Preprocessors ====
This class expanded upon the topic of web frameworks by talking about preprocessor languages - languages which compile into HTML, CSS, or JS. We'd 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!).


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idizayqUsng Lecture video]'''<br>
----
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class20/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-08-27: Backend web development ====
===== THE EASIEST WAY =====
This class was all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend! We talked 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 might have alleviated a small portion of your fears!
Come to the class in person and get the USB stick from Jeffrey. Then follow the below "easy" steps without downloading anything.


To prepare for this class, you could either set up a PHP-powered web server on your laptop ([http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/58247/how-do-i-enable-php-on-mountain-lion-os-x-10-8 Mac instructions]), or get an account at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ NearlyFreeSpeech.NET].
===== THE EASY WAY =====
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]
* [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.
* Start the machine after installation and you're all set!
* System username and password are both "'''front-end'''". Feel free to change them if that's uncomfortable.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U45cUjt1abM Lecture video]'''<br>
===== THE HARDER WAY =====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class19/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
If you don't want to use a virtual machine.


==== Class for 2012-08-20: Progressive enhancement ====
On Linux, you'll need to follow these steps:
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/series2/class18/lecture.zip an example site] and demonstrated how it adheres to these 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.
* 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.
* For PHP, follow these instructions: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP


As part of the class, we used a Chrome extension called ChromeVox, which is a free screen reader for the web. We also used virtual machines to run older versions of Internet Explorer on my Mac.
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


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgpUQmDb69U Lecture video]'''
On Windows or OS X 10.8 and below:
* http://nodejs.org/ - install Node.JS
* Use RailsInstaller: http://railsinstaller.org/
* And for PHP:
** Mac: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html
** Windows: http://www.wampserver.com/en/


==== Class for 2012-08-13: CSS3 and CSS4 ====
===== THE HARDEST WAY =====
We've covered CSS3 before, but in the context of a mockup. We went further into CSS3 and CSS4 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.
Install Node.JS, NPM, Apache, PHP, RVM, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oocNUFICq4M Lecture video]'''<br>
----
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-08-06: Mobile websites ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyCpSpLrSRI Lecture video]
We worked on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class14/blog.zip this blog] and turn it into a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class16/lecture.zip mobile-accessible website]. We also talked about user agent strings, frameworks like jQuery Mobile and Sencha Touch, and the future of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website development.


==== Class for 2012-07-30: HTML5 elements ====
==== Class for 2015-05-18: version control (Git) and the command line ====
We took a look through [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class13/html5_elements.zip this page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5", but that's just because they're 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.


==== Class for 2012-07-23: Other jQuery plugins ====
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.
Our final jQuery-focused class touched on a number of other common plugins that are found in the wild:
* [http://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/javascript.html#tooltips Tooltip/Popover (Bootstrap)] - mouse over elements to create tooltips
* [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://digitalbush.com/projects/masked-input-plugin/ Masked input] - provide visual guidance for field entry
* [http://flesler.blogspot.com/2007/10/jqueryscrollto.html ScrollTo] - smoothly scroll to a location on the page
* [http://jquery.malsup.com/cycle/ Cycle] - make easy slideshows
* [http://harvesthq.github.com/chosen/ Chosen] - style dropdowns
We created [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class14/lecture.zip this page that uses all of the plugins].


==== Class for 2012-07-16: Sign-up forms ====
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.
We continued working on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class12/lecture.zip our site], and added a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We used the [http://bassistance.de/jquery-plugins/jquery-plugin-validation/ jQuery Validation plugin]. This 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.


==== Class for 2012-07-09: Modals and menus using Twitter Bootstrap ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xy8U4B7834 Lecture video]<br>
We went back to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/answersheet.zip "professional" site we'd put together a number of weeks ago] and added more functionality to it with some JavaScript. We first made a dialog box - or a "modal" - pop up when you click the sign up buttons. We did this by introducing [http://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/ Bootstrap, a suite of code developed by Twitter] to make common web development tasks easier. We also add some dropdown functionality to our menus using pure CSS, but this can be done using Bootstrap as well.
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/shakespeare7 Lecture materials]


This class was not an exhaustive look at Bootstrap - there is a lot to cover. Look for a more comprehensive talk on Bootstrap later down the line.
==== 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.


==== Class for 2012-07-02: Guest speaker - HTML5 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cGwDv1MSPU Lecture video]<br>
John Freddy Vega of [http://www.cristalab.com/ Cristalab] and [http://mejorando.la/ Mejorando.la] delivered a presentation on the basics of HTML5, CSS3, and new JavaScript developments. It's a great talk for those starting out on new web technologies, or just wondering what the big difference is from HTML 4.01 and below.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-06-25: AJAX ====
==== Class for 2014-10-06: CSS3 ====
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 [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class11/lecture.zip added AJAX functionality] to our app we've been building on and uploaded a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class9/tweet.php.zip PHP file] to a web host to test it out.
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.


==== Class for 2012-06-18: jQuery, cont'd ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2hGbVqTpXo Lecture video]<br>
We built upon the existing [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/answer%20sheet.zip Noisetwitter] app, using jQuery functions to add the UI for retweeting, favoriting, and replying, and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class10/lecture.zip here was our result].
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class16/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-06-11: jQuery ====
==== Class for 2015-04-27: HTML5 elements ====
We included jQuery into a file and took a look at some of the functions that are available to us, as well as attempting to explain how an object can call a function with itself as the scope (this). We used the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/answer%20sheet.zip Noisetwitter] client as an example of simple but powerful things you can do with jQuery.
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.


==== Class for 2012-06-04: JavaScript ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs7fXiMmxbo Lecture video]
We talked about JavaScript: making webpages interactive through client-side code. We used the console to demonstrate the basics of the language, and we [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class8/lecture.zip created a file and include it on an existing HTML page, downloadable here].


==== Class for 2012-05-21: File transfer ====
==== Class for 2015-04-20: Ajax ====
We talked about file transfer - not only uploading files using FTP, but using the web browser to get and send information via forms and other methods (an overall talk about HTTP GET/POST).
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.


We downloaded and installed [http://filezilla-project.org FileZilla] and signed up for a [https://nearlyfreespeech.net NearlyFreeSpeech.NET] hosting account - some had to use my personal hosting due to timing reasons.
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].


==== Class for 2012-05-14: Working from mockups (CSS3 edition) ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uKphYn9eQI Lecture video]<br>
We worked on last week's site, talking about inline versus block, and applied CSS3 features such as shadows, rounded corners, gradients, and semi-transparency. We didn't have time to talk about CSS3 more in-depth, so we'll have another class on it in the future.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-05-07: Working from mockups ====
==== Class for 2015-04-13: HTTP & SFTP ====
We worked off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup] and the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version]. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip Assets were found here].
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 took all of this and turned it into [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/lecture.zip this work-in-progress site]. We'll be completing it next week.
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).


==== Class for 2012-04-30: CSS floats ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgRrffUuLo Lecture video]
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 [http://nytimes.com examples (inspect the page)]. We then took a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/answersheet.zip created a site] from it.


==== Class for 2012-04-23: CSS positioning ====
==== Class for 2015-04-06: Forms ====
We focused on positioning of elements: spacing them out from other elements using margins, positioning them absolutely on the page, positioning them relatively, fixed and more. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials can be downloaded here.]
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.


==== Class for 2012-04-16: CSS selectors and the box model ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg7wmtJlK2M Lecture video]<br>
We expanded on last week's site to make [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class2/lecture.zip this site], which added complex selectors and margin rules.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-04-09: the basics ====
==== Class for 2015-03-30: Bootstrap ====
We created [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class1/lecture.zip this simple site] to demonstrate HTML and CSS basics.
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.


=== Series 1 ===
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImtSy7Atv4g Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-03-26 ====
==== Class for 2015-03-23: jQuery, cont'd ====
Download the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class18/class18.zip site we walked through]. It's a responsive site with slight jQuery magic and a bunch of semantic HTML and CSS trickery. A good rollup of all the stuff we've learned in the class.
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.


==== Class for 2012-03-12 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdwAizbinKw Lecture video]<br>
Verbatim notes for my personal use:
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


What to do:
==== Class for 2015-03-16: jQuery ====
* Always start with HTML
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.
* Add presentation and behavior next
* Assume nothing about your audience
* Be as semantic as possible
* Use [http://www.html5please.com www.html5please.com]


What not to do:
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].
* Use inline style tags
* Implement security on the frontend
* Expect links to work only with JS - modals, AJAX, etc.
* Tell users to upgrade
* Start with a rich site and then work backward


Benefits:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm7zsESGeE0 Lecture video]<br>
* Starting with the basics makes cross-browser testing easier
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
* Makes your site more modular - can switch stylesheets or remove behavior on-the-fly
* Makes development in teams easier


Drawbacks:
==== Class for 2015-03-09: JavaScript, cont'd ====
* App- or game-like sites might be hard to support
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.
* Supporting all browsers off-the-bat might slow down productivity
* Can't use cool new CSS3/HTML5 stuff in production yet


Schedule:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hYHCzIryyc Lecture video]<br>
* Create a simple site with an HTML5 sectioning elements
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
* Add CSS
* Add JS
* Show site without CSS and JS added on
* Show site in IE6
* Install ChromeVox and read through site
* Explain browser "hacks"
* Explain JS feature testing (modernizr)
* Show what not to do
* Show [http://html5boilerplate.com/ HTML5 Boilerplate]


==== Class for 2012-03-05 ====
==== Class for 2015-03-02: JavaScript ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class15/examples.zip Download the CSS3 examples I created in-class.]
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.


Other great resources:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18dlNI3C87s Lecture video]<br>
* [http://simurai.com/tagged/lab Simurai's lab]
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class7/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
* [http://css3please.com/ CSS3 Please!]
* [http://caniuse.com/ When can I use...]
* [http://jeffreyatw.com/portfolio Jeffrey's portfolio - see Menorah and Draggy under HTML5 Toys]


==== Class for 2012-02-27 ====
==== Class for 2015-02-23: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
We worked on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class14/blog.zip this blog] and turned it into a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class14/answersheet.zip mobile-accessible website]. We also talked about user agent strings, frameworks like jQuery Mobile and Sencha Touch, and talked about the future of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website development.
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.


==== Class for 2012-02-20 ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/lecture.zip Here's where we left off last time.]
We took a look at a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class13/html5_elements.zip page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5", but that's just because they're new.


==== Class for 2012-02-13 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPljsmaygZc Lecture video]<br>
We added to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class11/answersheet.zip site from last class] and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class12/answersheet.zip added a sign-up form with validation to it].
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-02-06 ====
==== Class for 2015-02-09: Working from professional mockups ====
We added to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/answersheet.zip site from last class] and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class11/answersheet.zip added modals/submenus to it].
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].


==== Class for 2012-01-30 ====
'''No video for this class. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OralfEawmM4 Here's last series's video.]'''<br>
We worked off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/mockup.png this mockup] and the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/mockup_annotations.png annotated version]. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/assets.zip Assets were found here].
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


We took all of this and turned it into [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/answersheet.zip this site].
==== 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 [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.


==== Class for 2012-01-23 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6pJlM6Hsjo Lecture video]<br>
I made accounts on my web hosting, but I suggested students get web hosting space at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ NearlyFreeSpeech.Net], which will set you up with a pay-as-you-go site. It's free until you start getting a significant amount of traffic.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


Here is the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class8/jQuery.zip source for the previous class's Twitter client], and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class9/tweet.php.zip a PHP file to respond to AJAX requests].
==== 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 [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and create a site from it.


==== Class for 2012-01-16 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpI-3yvswgY Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class8/jQuery.zip Highly-commented source for the slideshow and Twitter client we worked on.]
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2011-12-19 ====
==== Class for 2015-01-12: CSS selectors and the box model ====
We modified [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/noisetwitter.zip this document] to become an interactive web application: [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/answer%20sheet.zip download the full web application here].
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 2011-12-12 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzDENIp705U Lecture video]<br>
Consider downloading [http://filezilla-project.org/ FileZilla] for a head start.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


Here's a simpler mockup we used for the 7:30 recap:
==== Class for 2015-01-05: the basics ====
[[File:Frontend_Web_Mockup_2.png|thumb|none]]
<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"
* 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


==== Class for 2011-12-05 ====
No recap session for this class. Please show up before 8pm, as physical space is limited. Bring a laptop!
We turned a mockup into HTML and CSS. This is the mockup we used:
[[File:Frontend_Web_Mockup_1.png|thumb|none]]


Please consider downloading the [http://www.gimp.org/ GNU Image Manipulation Tool (GIMP)], as we might be opening it up to work with this mockup. Photoshop or Fireworks will work swimmingly if you have them, though.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eydq4iapY98 Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/Frontend%20Mockup%20class%20December%202011.zip Here is the "answer sheet" for the above mockup.]
----


==== Class for 2011-11-22 ====
[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Notes archive]]
Two articles worth reading for a thorough understanding of CSS positioning:
* http://www.alistapart.com/articles/css-positioning-101/
* http://www.alistapart.com/articles/css-floats-101/

Revision as of 21:51, 25 June 2015

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

Class for 2015-06-22: directives, routing and AJAX with AngularJS

We'll continue learning the basics of AngularJS by learning how to encapsulate behavior into reusable elements, load data from the back-end, and create a site that acts as if it has multiple pages while still being a single-page app.

We'll be building off the work from last week.

This will be the last class in the series. Thanks for attending, and look forward to a new series in July!

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-06-15: intro to AngularJS

We'll learn about the basics of AngularJS, a popular client-side MVC application framework. Frameworks such as these make it easier to manage data-rich views by keeping everything in sync with each other, and with data in the back-end. To understand how libraries like AngularJS differ from jQuery, we'll be taking our NoiseTwitter app and converting it from one that uses jQuery into one that uses AngularJS instead.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-06-08: Preprocessors

Front-end code can often get very repetitive and hard to maintain. We'll expand upon last week's talk about backend code generation by introducing preprocessors - languages which compile into HTML, CSS, or JS. We've taken a look at PHP and ERB, but we'll also walk through languages that look nothing like HTML (HAML), and languages that compile into CSS (Sass) and JS (CoffeeScript). These languages can make your life much easier as they help keep you from repeating yourself (DRY!). We'll also introduce Middleman, one of many workflow systems that makes using these languages easy.

To prepare for this class, please install RVM with the --ruby=2.2 flag if you're using OS X or Linux:

\curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable --ruby=2.2

...then close and reopen a terminal window...

rvm use 2.2

Or for Windows, use RubyInstaller.

You can then install Middleman:

gem install middleman

We'll be working on the NoiseCo site.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-10-27: 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 EASIEST WAY

Come to the class in person and get the USB stick from Jeffrey. Then follow the below "easy" steps without downloading anything.

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 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