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 2013-04-01: Preprocessors ====
==== Class for 2016-06-06: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
This class expanded upon the topic of backend web apps 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!).
We will continue working off of our mockup and learn a bit about CSS3 and background images in the process.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVjD2JEoMPo Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/noiseco Mockups and assets can be found here].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class21/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-03-25: Backend web development ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9jWX_GQF6E Lecture video]<br>
This class was all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend!
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class19 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 2016-05-23: Working from professional mockups ====
We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the box model, positioning, media queries and CSS3, and work off of a mockup to make a site that could pass as a professional design.


Here are the steps used for class preparation:
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/noiseco Mockups and assets can be found here].


----
This class will require the use of [https://harpjs.com/ Harp], as we'd like to make this as realistic of a project as possible. As a bonus, we'll learn how to use preprocessors like [http://sass-lang.com/ Sass] to help us with our code.
 
===== THE EASY WAY: =====
If you would like to follow along and are on Windows or OS X, 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/series3/class20/Ubuntu.ova Download this preconfigured Ubuntu virtual machine (1.82GB)]
* Double-click the .ova file. You might want to 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: =====
If you don't want to use a virtual machine. I haven't tried these myself, so I can't profess as to how easy or hard it is.


On Linux, you'll need to follow these steps:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pyaTa7pMhY Lecture video]<br>
* http://ryanbigg.com/2010/12/ubuntu-ruby-rvm-rails-and-you/
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class18 Lecture materials]
* https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP


On Windows or Mac OS X:
==== Class for 2016-05-16: Modern CSS ====
We'll talk about a number of topics concerning modern CSS development: CSS3, browser support, and responsive design (for mobile devices).


* Start with RailsInstaller: http://railsinstaller.org/
We'll start on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class17/blog.zip this page] and make it mobile.
* 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=kA73S1iaCVc Lecture video]<br>
Install Apache, PHP, RVM, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class17 Lecture materials]


----
==== Class for 2016-05-08: CSS floats & flexbox ====
Floating and flexbox are two methods behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's stacked horizontally. We'll learn about them by taking a look at some examples, discuss the pros and cons of each, then take a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and create a site from it.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR7O8r8vU-c Lecture video]'''
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45crnboPpsg Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class16 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-03-18: Version control (Git) and the command line ====
==== Class for 2016-04-25: CSS positioning ====
This class was a general overview on version control and the command line. I'd 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.
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.


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 repository and checked in their work.
If have been daunted by the complexity of JavaScript programming, this should be a much simpler, straightforward class.


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).
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqT6IBMPglo Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class15 Lecture materials]


'''No video for this class :('''<br>
==== Class for 2016-04-18: React and Redux ====
'''[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/frontend_example The repository we created]'''
We'll take a look at [https://lunch.labzero.com Lunch], an app I'm working on using [https://facebook.github.io/react/ React] and [http://redux.js.org/ Redux]. We'll see how it compares to our jQuery and Angular apps, and how React's unidirectional flow, along with Redux's state management, allows us to build an efficient, powerful application.


==== Class for 2013-03-11: Old vs. new: progressive enhancement and browser testing ====
Because of the complexity of this subject, we'll only be skimming the surface with this pre-written app. React generally requires a good knowledge of the intricacies of JavaScript, so consider this a light introduction.
We talked about progressive enhancement - a practice where websites are created in a layered way that makes them accessible and cross-browser friendly. We looked at [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class19/sites.zip two versions of an example site] and demonstrated how one is outdated, and the other adheres to progressive enhancement principles. We've touched on these concepts throughout the whole class, but in this class we focused on why they're important, and what could happen if you DON'T adhere to them.


This segued nicely into a talk about browser testing - how to do it and what to look out for.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iydma-sfKwA Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/labzero/lunch Lecture materials]


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vtsFku4ang Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2016-04-11: directives, routing and AJAX with AngularJS ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class19/sites.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 remaining a single-page app.


==== Class for 2013-03-04: CSS3 ====
We'll build off the [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class12/noisetwitter work from last week.]
We've covered CSS3 before, but in the context of a mockup. We went 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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP1nxrI_3WU Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKdKHcJ4eRw Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class18/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class13 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-02-25: Mobile websites ====
==== Class for 2016-04-04: intro to AngularJS ====
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 learn about the basics of [https://angularjs.org/ AngularJS] (version 1), 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/series9/class10/noisetwitter NoiseTwitter] app and converting it from one that uses jQuery into one that uses AngularJS instead.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjEJrNgrJVw Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h2Oz4DiviU Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class12 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-02-11: HTML5 elements ====
==== Class for 2016-03-28: Forms ====
We took an entertaining (in my opinion) look through [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class16/html.zip this page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5", but that's just because they're new.
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.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or9Y1facTtc Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwMGFVeXI0A Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class16/html.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class11 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-02-04: More useful jQuery plugins ====
==== Class for 2016-03-21: Ajax ====
Our final jQuery-focused class touched on a number of other common plugins that are found in the wild. We took a closer look at Bootstrap and jQuery UI, and looked at plugins that make your page look super snazzy:
We'll talk about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this easy. We'll add Ajax functionality to [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/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://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://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/javascript.html#scrollspy Scrollspy (Bootstrap)] - change navs to highlight where you are scrolled on a page
* [http://jquery.malsup.com/cycle/ Cycle] - make easy slideshows
* [http://harvesthq.github.com/chosen/ Chosen] - style dropdowns


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35CJx9lkGyE 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/series3/class15/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-01-28: Sign-up forms ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajhVV5wTJ1I Lecture video]<br>
We continued working on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class13/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.
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class10 Lecture materials]


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tv6uPMmQNY Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2016-03-14: HTTP, SFTP, and Git-based web hosting ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
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.


==== Class for 2013-01-14: Menus and modals ====
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).
We went back to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class13/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 web development tasks easier. We also add some dropdown functionality to our menus using pure CSS, but this can be done using jQuery UI or [http://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/ Bootstrap] as well.


'''No video for this class. :('''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8oIC5Jyx1k Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class13/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class9 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-01-07: AJAX ====
==== Class for 2016-03-07: starting a new project ====
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/series3/class10/lecture.zip our app we've been building on]. We used this [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class9/tweet.php.zip PHP file] to test it out.
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://harpjs.com/ Harp] and [http://getbootstrap.com/ Bootstrap], two tools that will greatly help us with the setup of a new site.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS-uoDnslh8 Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm4sSCT-9GE Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class8 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-12-17: File transfer ====
==== Class for 2016-02-29: jQuery, cont'd ====
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 continue learning about jQuery by focusing on [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class6/noisetwitter the example we worked on last class]. We'll add functionality to it that will make it seem more like the real thing.


We downloaded and installed [http://filezilla-project.org FileZilla] and signed up for a [https://nearlyfreespeech.net NearlyFreeSpeech.NET] hosting account.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iaBQOgY4qo Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class7/noisetwitter Lecture materials]


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohL0FRC9us8 Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2016-02-22: jQuery ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
We'll introduce jQuery, a JavaScript library that makes web programming a whole lot easier. jQuery is the most popular of many libraries that allow us to interact with the document easily, while also providing us with a few tools that are missing from the base language.


==== Class for 2012-12-10: jQuery, cont'd ====
To learn what jQuery can do, we'll add some scripting to [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class6/start this sample web app].
We continued learning about jQuery by focusing on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/answer%20sheet.zip the example we saw last week]. We're added functionality to it that made it seem more like the real thing.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMKdZ0IlD48 Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cY2oRWIYhK0 Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class6/noisetwitter Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-12-03: jQuery ====
==== Class for 2016-02-08: JavaScript, cont'd ====
We introduced jQuery, a JavaScript library that makes web programming a whole lot easier.
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.


'''No video for this class. :('''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFnDmrLXqf0 Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class5 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-11-26: JavaScript, cont'd ====
==== Class for 2016-02-01: JavaScript ====
We continued discussed JavaScript basics: arrays, iterators, loops, creating functions, and the debugger.
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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_4Z33l0lnY Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAxEb3JViWk Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class4 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-11-12: JavaScript ====
==== Class for 2016-01-25: version control (Git) and the command line ====
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.
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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP6_pd25-Ps 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/series3/class7/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-11-05: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
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.
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=Qt4IW_TVTUc Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/shakespeare9 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 2016-01-11: 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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvC4ZLFpbtE Lecture video]'''<br>
'''No video for this class.''' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcKvWkhVezA Here's last series's video.] (audio doesn't work until 33:10)<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class2 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-10-22: Working from professional mockups ====
==== Class for 2016-01-04: the basics ====
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].
<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"
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to3-VjUPU64 Lecture video]'''<br>
* Explaining web apps vs. web sites
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2012-10-15: 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=yJeN9P8x1VE Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2012-10-08: CSS positioning ====
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>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2012-10-01: 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.
 
'''No video for this class. :('''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
 
==== Class for 2012-09-24: 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
* Describing 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=r87aEOpelzQ Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Uf_mlpqns Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series9/class1 Lecture materials]


----
----


[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Notes archive]]
[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Class notes from previous series]]

Revision as of 19:33, 8 June 2016

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

Class for 2016-06-06: Working from professional mockups, cont'd

We will continue working off of our mockup and learn a bit about CSS3 and background images in the process.

Mockups and assets can be found here.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-05-23: Working from professional mockups

We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the box model, positioning, media queries and CSS3, and work off of a mockup to make a site that could pass as a professional design.

Mockups and assets can be found here.

This class will require the use of Harp, as we'd like to make this as realistic of a project as possible. As a bonus, we'll learn how to use preprocessors like Sass to help us with our code.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-05-16: Modern CSS

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-05-08: CSS floats & flexbox

Floating and flexbox are two methods behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's stacked horizontally. We'll learn about them by taking a look at some examples, discuss the pros and cons of each, then take a mockup and create a site from it.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-04-25: 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 have been daunted by the complexity of JavaScript programming, this should be a much simpler, straightforward class.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-04-18: React and Redux

We'll take a look at Lunch, an app I'm working on using React and Redux. We'll see how it compares to our jQuery and Angular apps, and how React's unidirectional flow, along with Redux's state management, allows us to build an efficient, powerful application.

Because of the complexity of this subject, we'll only be skimming the surface with this pre-written app. React generally requires a good knowledge of the intricacies of JavaScript, so consider this a light introduction.

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Class for 2016-04-11: 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 remaining a single-page app.

We'll build off the work from last week.

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Class for 2016-04-04: intro to AngularJS

We'll learn about the basics of AngularJS (version 1), 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.

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Class for 2016-03-28: 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.

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Class for 2016-03-21: 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.

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Class for 2016-03-14: 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).

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Class for 2016-03-07: 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 Harp and Bootstrap, two tools that will greatly help us with the setup of a new site.

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Class for 2016-02-29: 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.

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Class for 2016-02-22: 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.

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Class for 2016-02-08: JavaScript, cont'd

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

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Class for 2016-02-01: 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.

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Class for 2016-01-25: 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.

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Class for 2016-01-11: CSS selectors and the box model

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

No video for this class. Here's last series's video. (audio doesn't work until 33:10)
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Class for 2016-01-04: 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
  • Describing 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!

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Class notes from previous series