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


==== Class for 2013-08-26: RTFM and STFW, Garrett Smith ====
==== Class for 2015-11-23: Modern CSS ====
Theme: Unschooling and autodidacticism.
We'll talk about a number of topics concerning modern CSS development: CSS3, browser support, responsive design (for mobile devices), and flexbox layout.
* Intro to RTFM, RTFFAQ, and SFTW.
* CSS ClassName Swap
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]).


We'll start on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class17/blog.zip this page] and make it mobile.


* Calculating Selector's Specificity
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv4ucT3F2g0 Lecture video]<br>
Specificity is determined four numbers, a-b-c-d, in a number system with a large base.
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class17 Lecture materials]
TFM: http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS2/cascade.html#specificity
<blockquote cite="http://www.w3.org/TR/CSS2/cascade.html#specificity">
    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>


==== Class for 2015-11-14: 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.


* ECMAScript specification ECMAScript 1.3 ("3")
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quLUo3HSr3w Lecture video]<br>
and ECMAScript 5.1
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class16 Lecture materials]
http://www.ecma-international.org/ecma-262/5.1/


* Former ECMAScript versions:  
==== Class for 2015-11-09: CSS positioning ====
http://www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-262-arch.htm
We're going to let JavaScript take a backseat for the rest of the series, and we'll begin to focus on CSS concepts. 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.
(Other versions of ECMAScript, including E4X and Compact are out of scope for this class).


TFAQ: http://jibbering.com/faq/
If you were daunted by the complexity of JavaScript programming, this should be a much simpler, straightforward class.
(now also on Matt's site):
http://www.fortybelow.ca/hosted/dhtmlkitchen/JavaScript-Query-Engines.html


Understanding what one is doing is 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 clean code.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbEFXP47mfg Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class15 Lecture materials]


When I don't recall instantly off the top of my head or when debate arises, and that happens fairly often, how to find the answer using STFW and RTFM,
==== Class for 2015-11-02: React ====
and when that fails, how (and where (CIWAS, JSMentors, c.l.js, ciwah)) to ask a smart question. E.g.
We'll take a look at our [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class14/noisetwitter-react NoiseTwitter app], this time written in [https://facebook.github.io/react/ React]. We'll see how it compares to our jQuery and Angular versions, and how React's uni-directional flow helps us manage the state of our application.
http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


And not:
Because of the complexity of this subject, we'll only be skimming the surface with a pre-written app - also, I haven't taught this or used this in my work before, so consider it a light introduction.
* Downloading free scripts off dynamic drive or [http://blog.ponyfoo.com/search/tagged/jquery jQuery]
* Copy'n'paste development


==== Class for 2013-08-12: More useful jQuery plugins ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBEhI6dZbU4 Lecture video]<br>
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:
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class14 Lecture materials]
* [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>
==== Class for 2015-10-26: directives, routing and AJAX with AngularJS ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class15/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
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.


==== Class for 2013-08-05: Sign-up forms ====
We'll be building off the [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class12/noisetwitter work from last week.]
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>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D92wUILFz4I Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class13 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-07-29: Modals and menus ====
==== Class for 2015-10-19: intro to AngularJS ====
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.
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 [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class10/noisetwitter NoiseTwitter] app and converting it from one that uses jQuery into one that uses AngularJS instead.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge2ZECyRRf8 Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8zKtg2NEKQ Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class13/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class12 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-07-22: AJAX ====
==== Class for 2015-04-06: Forms ====
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.
We'll create a Bootstrap-based landing page with a sign-up form. 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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi1arhXXQsw Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Znw2mYn8TE4 Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class11 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-07-15: jQuery, cont'd ====
==== Class for 2015-10-05: Ajax ====
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 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 [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class7 the Twitter app]. We'll use this [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/blob/master/series8/class10/noisetwitter/source/tweet.php PHP file] to test it out.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Bublxub3w 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/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-07-08: jQuery ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3atk7ZfROxs Lecture video]<br>
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.
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class10 Lecture materials]


To learn what jQuery can do, we added some scripting to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/assets.zip this sample web app].
==== Class for 2015-04-13: HTTP, SFTP, and Git-based web hosting ====
We'll talk about file transfer: HTTP, which is the method of getting and sending information in the web browser; SFTP, which is a method of securely uploading files to a web host; and how to use Git to host a site.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP3MgfcStxg Lecture video]'''<br>
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).
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-07-01: JavaScript, cont'd ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e6CHA5IoqY Lecture video]<br>
We continued discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/noiseproduct8/tree/gh-pages Lecture materials]


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Q5DhW8jpA Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2015-09-14: starting a new project ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
A text editor and web browser are all that's required to start a project - but how about getting a head start? We'll talk about [https://middlemanapp.com/ Middleman] and [http://getbootstrap.com/ Bootstrap], two tools that greatly help us with the setup of a new site.


==== Class for 2013-06-24: JavaScript ====
To get set up, you'll need to install Ruby.
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.
* On OS X, enter <code>ruby -v</code> into a Terminal window. You'll either be prompted to install, or you'll see a version number, which means it's already installed.
* On Windows, use [http://rubyinstaller.org/ RubyInstaller].


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfd78FpYPuI Lecture video]'''<br>
Then, install Middleman:
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-06-17: HTTP & SFTP ====
<code>gem install middleman</code>
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=CG9TETW4UNU Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/noiseproduct8 Lecture materials]


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfJxBeNzbvQ Lecture video]'''
==== Class for 2015-09-14: jQuery, cont'd ====
We'll continue learning about jQuery by focusing on [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class6 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 2013-06-03: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7nsgvq9qRI Lecture video]<br>
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.
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class7 Lecture materials]


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]).
==== Class for 2015-08-31: 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.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMeTFrR1rtA Lecture video]'''<br>
To learn what jQuery can do, we'll add some scripting to [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class6/start this sample web app].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-05-20: Working from professional mockups ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrb3QJS4FlA Lecture video]<br>
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).
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class6 Lecture materials]


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].
==== Class for 2015-08-24: JavaScript, cont'd ====
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y6MxRAPfLs Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s45eTRYWOU Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class5 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-05-13: CSS positioning ====
==== Class for 2015-08-17: JavaScript ====
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.
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.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxROKEWIjB8 Lecture video]'''<br>
'''No video for this class. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18dlNI3C87s Here's last series' video.]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class4 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-05-06: CSS floats ====
==== Class for 2015-08-10: version control (Git) and the command line ====
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.
This class is a general overview on version control and the command line. Most developers 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=5j6oA4sS99U 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/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-04-22: CSS selectors and the box model ====
During the half-hour before the class, we'll help people set up Git on their computers. On OS X, type <code>git</code> in a Terminal to get started. On Windows you should install [http://msysgit.github.io/ Git for Windows]. Also, please sign up for a [https://github.com GitHub] account.
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>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAEJV-8AQvY Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/shakespeare8 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-04-15: the basics ====
==== Class for 2015-08-03: CSS selectors and the box model ====
We covered the very basics:
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.
* Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcKvWkhVezA Lecture video] (audio doesn't work until 33:10)<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class2 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-07-27: the basics ====
<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"
* Explaining web apps vs. web sites
* 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
* Adding a small amount of JS
* Explaining the role of front-end 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=MBid8Pg4SWc Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series8/class1 Lecture materials]


----
----


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

Revision as of 09:27, 27 November 2015

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

Class for 2015-11-23: Modern CSS

We'll talk about a number of topics concerning modern CSS development: CSS3, browser support, responsive design (for mobile devices), and flexbox layout.

We'll start on this page and make it mobile.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-11-14: 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 2015-11-09: CSS positioning

We're going to let JavaScript take a backseat for the rest of the series, and we'll begin to focus on CSS concepts. 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.

If you were daunted by the complexity of JavaScript programming, this should be a much simpler, straightforward class.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-11-02: React

We'll take a look at our NoiseTwitter app, this time written in React. We'll see how it compares to our jQuery and Angular versions, and how React's uni-directional flow helps us manage the state of our application.

Because of the complexity of this subject, we'll only be skimming the surface with a pre-written app - also, I haven't taught this or used this in my work before, so consider it a light introduction.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-10-26: 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-10-19: 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 2015-04-06: Forms

We'll create a Bootstrap-based landing page with a sign-up form. 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 2015-10-05: 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. 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 2015-04-13: HTTP, SFTP, and Git-based web hosting

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

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
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-09-14: starting a new project

A text editor and web browser are all that's required to start a project - but how about getting a head start? We'll talk about Middleman and Bootstrap, two tools that greatly help us with the setup of a new site.

To get set up, you'll need to install Ruby.

  • On OS X, enter ruby -v into a Terminal window. You'll either be prompted to install, or you'll see a version number, which means it's already installed.
  • On Windows, use RubyInstaller.

Then, install Middleman:

gem install middleman

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-09-14: 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 2015-08-31: 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 2015-08-24: JavaScript, cont'd

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-08-17: 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.

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

Class for 2015-08-10: version control (Git) and the command line

This class is a general overview on version control and the command line. Most developers 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, type git in a Terminal to get started. On Windows you should install Git for Windows. Also, please sign up for a GitHub account.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-08-03: 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 (audio doesn't work until 33:10)
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-07-27: 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"
  • Explaining web apps vs. web sites
  • Discussing tools of the trade
  • Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
  • Writing a basic HTML page
  • Styling the page with basic CSS
  • Adding a small amount of JS
  • Explaining the role of front-end 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