Front-end Web Development/Notes/Archive

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Series 9[edit]

Class for 2016-06-27: back-end web development[edit]

This class is all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend! It is tailored toward front-end developers wanting to get a taste of how things come together on the server. 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[edit]

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

THE EASY WAY[edit]

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

THE HARDER WAY[edit]

If you don't want to use a virtual machine, or would like to set your computer up for further work on your own.

Linux[edit]
  • To set up Node.js installation, run:
  • Install required packages: sudo apt-get install -y nodejs lamp-server^ ruby ruby-dev zlib1g-dev libsqlite3-dev
    • (Press Enter at any prompts.)
  • Install Express: sudo npm install -g express-generator
  • Install Rails: sudo gem install rails
OS X[edit]
  • Upgrade to at least OS X 10.9, preferably the latest (currently 10.11 El Capitan).
  • Install the Xcode developer tools:
    • xcode-select --install
  • For Node.JS:
  • To install Rails, run:
    • sudo gem install rails
  • For PHP, install MAMP: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html
Windows[edit]

(I recommend sticking with the aforementioned virtual machine setup, or installing a Linux partition, as it is somewhat difficult to set things up on Windows.)

In all cases where there is a choice, choose 64-bit (x64).

THE HARDEST WAY[edit]

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

Lecture video

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

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-04-11: directives, routing and AJAX with AngularJS[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-04-04: intro to AngularJS[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-03-28: Forms[edit]

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 2016-03-21: Ajax[edit]

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 2016-03-14: HTTP, SFTP, and Git-based web hosting[edit]

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 2016-03-07: starting a new project[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-02-29: jQuery, cont'd[edit]

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 2016-02-22: jQuery[edit]

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 2016-02-08: JavaScript, cont'd[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-02-01: JavaScript[edit]

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 2016-01-25: version control (Git) and the command line[edit]

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 2016-01-11: CSS selectors and the box model[edit]

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)
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-01-04: the basics[edit]

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!

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Series 8[edit]

Class for 2015-12-14: back-end web development[edit]

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[edit]

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

THE EASY WAY[edit]

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

THE HARDER WAY[edit]

If you don't want to use a virtual machine, or would like to set your computer up for further work on your own.

Linux[edit]
  • Install required packages: sudo apt-get install nodejs nodejs-legacy npm lamp-server^ ruby ruby-dev zlib1g-dev libsqlite3-dev
    • (Press Enter at any prompts.)
  • Install Express: sudo npm install -g express-generator
  • Install Rails: sudo gem install rails
OS X[edit]
  • Upgrade to at least OS X 10.9, preferably the latest (currently 10.11 El Capitan).
  • Install the Xcode developer tools:
    • xcode-select --install
  • For Node.JS:
  • To install Rails, run:
    • sudo gem install rails
  • For PHP, install MAMP: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html
Windows[edit]

(I recommend sticking with the aforementioned virtual machine setup, or installing a Linux partition, as it is somewhat difficult to set things up on Windows.)

In all cases where there is a choice, choose 64-bit (x64).

THE HARDEST WAY[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-12-07: Working from professional mockups, cont'd[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-11-30: Working from professional mockups[edit]

We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, positioning, and CSS3, and work off of this mockup and its annotated version to make a site that could pass as a professional design. Image assets can be found here.

This class will require the use of Middleman, 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 2015-11-23: Modern CSS[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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 2015-09-28: HTTP, SFTP, and Git-based web hosting[edit]

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 2015-09-21: starting a new project[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-08-17: JavaScript[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Series 7[edit]

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

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

THE HARDER WAY[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-02: JavaScript[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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

Series 6[edit]

Class for 2014-11-10: routing and AJAX with AngularJS[edit]

We'll continue learning the basics of AngularJS by learning how to load data from the back-end, as well as 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. It's provided as a git repository that you should clone prior to the start of the class. Please read the instructions on how to download and install it.

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-11-10: intro to AngularJS[edit]

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.

I'm not a AngularJS pro myself, so I'm sticking to introductory concepts.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-11-03: Preprocessors[edit]

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 (Less, Sass + Compass) 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, consider installing RVM with the --ruby=2.1 flag if you're using OS X or Linux, or Ruby via RubyInstaller for Windows. You can then install Middleman.

We'll be working on the NoiseCo site.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-10-27: back-end web development[edit]

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

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

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


THE EASY WAY[edit]

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

THE HARDER WAY[edit]

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[edit]

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

Lecture video

Class for 2014-10-20: version control (Git) and the command line[edit]

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, and on Windows you should install Git for Windows. Also, please sign up for a GitHub account.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-10-13: the mobile web[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-10-06: CSS3[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-09-29: HTML5 elements[edit]

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 2014-09-22: AJAX[edit]

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 2014-09-15: HTTP & SFTP[edit]

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
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-09-08: Sign-up forms[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-08-25: jQuery UI[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-08-18: jQuery, cont'd[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-08-11: jQuery[edit]

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-08-04: JavaScript, cont'd[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-07-28: JavaScript[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-07-21: Working from professional mockups, cont'd[edit]

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
Finished site

Class for 2014-07-14: Working from professional mockups[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-06-23: CSS positioning[edit]

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 2014-06-16: CSS floats[edit]

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
Mockup source code

Class for 2014-06-09: CSS selectors and the box model[edit]

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 2014-06-02: the basics[edit]

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

Series 5[edit]

Class for 2014-05-05: Backbone.js[edit]

We'll learn about the basics of Backbone.js, one of the simplest Model-Collection-View libraries available for the front-end. Libraries 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 prepare for this class:

  • Install RVM if you're using OS X or Linux, or the latest version of Ruby via RubyInstaller for Windows
  • Using the latest version of Ruby, install Middleman: gem install middleman
  • Download this JSON file.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-04-28: Preprocessors[edit]

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 (Less, Sass + Compass) 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, consider installing RVM with the --ruby=2.0 flag if you're using OS X or Linux, or Ruby via RubyInstaller for Windows. You can then install Middleman.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-04-21: back-end web development[edit]

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

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

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


THE EASY WAY[edit]

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

THE HARDER WAY[edit]

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[edit]

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

Lecture video

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

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

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

There is no recap period for this class.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-04-07: The mobile web[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-31: CSS3[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-24: HTML5 elements[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-17: Sign-up forms[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-10: Modals and menus[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-03-03: AJAX[edit]

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-02-10: jQuery[edit]

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-01-27: JavaScript[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-01-20: HTTP & SFTP[edit]

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

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

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

Class for 2014-01-06: Working from professional mockups[edit]

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

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

Class for 2013-12-09: CSS positioning[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-12-02: CSS floats[edit]

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

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

Class for 2013-11-11: the basics[edit]

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

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

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

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

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

Series 4[edit]

Class for 2013-10-28: Backbone.js[edit]

We learned about the basics of Backbone.js, one of the simplest Model-Collection-View libraries available for the front-end. Libraries 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 prepare for this class:

  • Download this zip file with an HTML file in it.
  • Install RVM if you're using OS X or Linux, or Ruby 1.9.3-p448 via RubyInstaller for Windows
  • Install Git. Those on Windows should install Git for Windows instead (all default options are fine).
  • Install MySQL Community Server. For OS X, get the DMG version. For Linux, consider installing it from your app manager of choice.
  • Go to https://github.com/jeffreyatw/jeffreyandanna and fork the repository (button in the upper right).
  • Clone your own repository: git clone https://github.com/<your username>/jeffreyandanna.git
  • On OS X, you might need to install Command Line Tools: xcode-select --install
  • On Linux, install GCC.
  • cd into the new jeffreyandanna directory and run gem install bundler; bundle install; rake db:migrate

Lecture video (part 1)
Lecture video (part 2)
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-10-21: Preprocessors[edit]

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

To prepare for this class, consider installing RVM with the --ruby=2.0 flag if you're using OS X or Linux, or Ruby via RubyInstaller for Windows. If you really want a head start, you can then install Middleman.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-10-14: Backend web development[edit]

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

I know we already have a backend class here at Noisebridge, but this one was tailored toward frontend developers wanting to get a taste of how things come together. We spent the first half talking about PHP, then moved onto a Rails, a more complex example.

Here are the steps used for class preparation:


THE EASY WAY:[edit]

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

THE HARDER WAY:[edit]

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

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

On Windows or Mac OS X:

THE HARDEST WAY:[edit]

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

No video for this class. :(

Class for 2013-10-07: Version control (Git) and the command line[edit]

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

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

We signed up for a free account at GitHub and installed Git. Those on Windows installed Git for Windows (all default options are fine).

Lecture video
The repository we worked on

Class for 2013-09-30: Old vs. new: progressive enhancement and browser testing[edit]

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 two versions of an example site and demonstrated how one is outdated, and the other adheres to progressive enhancement principles. We've touched on these concepts throughout the whole class, but in this class we focused on why they're important, and what could happen if you DON'T adhere to them.

This segued into a talk about browser testing - how to do it and what to look out for. We suggested using modern.IE for virtualization tools.

We also mentioned Modernizr, Normalize.css, and HTML5 Boilerplate.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-09-23: The mobile web[edit]

We took 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-09-16: CSS3[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-09-09: HTML5 elements[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-08-12: More useful jQuery plugins[edit]

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:

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-08-05: Sign-up forms[edit]

We continued working on our site and added a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We used the 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-07-29: Modals and menus[edit]

We went back to the "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 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-07-22: AJAX[edit]

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 our app we've been building on. We used this PHP file to test it out.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-07-15: jQuery, cont'd[edit]

We continued learning about jQuery by focusing on the example we saw last week. We added functionality to it that made it seem more like the real thing.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-07-08: jQuery[edit]

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-07-01: JavaScript, cont'd[edit]

We continued discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-06-24: JavaScript[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-06-17: HTTP & SFTP[edit]

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 NearlyFreeSpeech.NET, and uploaded to them using the FileZilla client.

Lecture video

Class for 2013-06-03: Working from professional mockups, cont'd[edit]

We continued putting our professional-looking site together from where we left off. We focused on some fancy CSS3 techniques, and we saw how to make an interactive dropdown menu with no JavaScript.

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-05-20: Working from professional mockups[edit]

We took the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, and positioning, and worked off of something given to us by a designer (me).

We worked off of 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-05-13: CSS positioning[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-05-06: CSS floats[edit]

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 mockup and created a site from it.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-04-22: CSS selectors and the box model[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-04-15: the basics[edit]

We covered the very basics:

  • Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
  • 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 frontend web development as a job and career

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Series 3[edit]

Class for 2013-04-01: Preprocessors[edit]

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!).

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-03-25: Backend web development[edit]

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

I know we already have a backend class here at Noisebridge, but this one was tailored toward frontend developers wanting to get a taste of how things come together. We spent the first half talking about PHP, then moved onto a Rails, a more complex example.

Here are the steps used for class preparation:


THE EASY WAY:[edit]

If you would like to follow along and are on Windows or OS X, the easiest option is to run a virtual machine:

THE HARDER WAY:[edit]

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:

On Windows or Mac OS X:

THE HARDEST WAY:[edit]

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


Lecture video

Class for 2013-03-18: Version control (Git) and the command line[edit]

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.

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.

We signed up for a free account at GitHub and installed Git. Those on Windows installed Git for Windows (all default options are fine).

No video for this class :(
The repository we created

Class for 2013-03-11: Old vs. new: progressive enhancement and browser testing[edit]

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 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-03-04: CSS3[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-02-25: Mobile websites[edit]

We took 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-02-11: HTML5 elements[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-02-04: More useful jQuery plugins[edit]

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:

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-01-28: Sign-up forms[edit]

We continued working on our site and added a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We used the 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-01-14: Menus and modals[edit]

We went back to the "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 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 Bootstrap as well.

No video for this class. :(
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-01-07: AJAX[edit]

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 our app we've been building on. We used this PHP file to test it out.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-12-17: File transfer[edit]

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 downloaded and installed FileZilla and signed up for a NearlyFreeSpeech.NET hosting account.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-12-10: jQuery, cont'd[edit]

We continued learning about jQuery by focusing on the example we saw last week. We're added functionality to it that made it seem more like the real thing.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-12-03: jQuery[edit]

We introduced jQuery, a JavaScript library that makes web programming a whole lot easier.

No video for this class. :(
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-11-26: JavaScript, cont'd[edit]

We continued discussed JavaScript basics: arrays, iterators, loops, creating functions, and the debugger.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-11-12: JavaScript[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-11-05: Working from professional mockups, cont'd[edit]

We continued putting our professional-looking site together from where we left off.

As a reminder, here is the mockup and its annotated version. Image assets can be found here.

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-10-22: Working from professional mockups[edit]

We worked 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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-10-15: CSS floats[edit]

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 mockup and created a site from it.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-10-08: CSS positioning[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-10-01: CSS selectors and the box model[edit]

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. :(
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-09-24: the basics[edit]

We covered the very basics:

  • Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
  • 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 frontend web development as a job and career

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Series 2[edit]

Class for 2012-09-10: Preprocessors[edit]

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!).

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-08-27: Backend web development[edit]

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!

To prepare for this class, you could either set up a PHP-powered web server on your laptop (Mac instructions), or get an account at NearlyFreeSpeech.NET.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-08-20: Progressive enhancement[edit]

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 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.

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.

Lecture video

Class for 2012-08-13: CSS3 and CSS4[edit]

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.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2012-08-06: Mobile websites[edit]

We worked on this blog and turn it into a 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[edit]

We took a look through this page containing every currently valid HTML element. Many of them are considered "HTML5", but that's just because they're new.

Class for 2012-07-23: Other jQuery plugins[edit]

Our final jQuery-focused class touched on a number of other common plugins that are found in the wild:

We created this page that uses all of the plugins.

Class for 2012-07-16: Sign-up forms[edit]

We continued working on our site, and added a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We used the 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[edit]

We went back to the "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 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.

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 2012-07-02: Guest speaker - HTML5[edit]

John Freddy Vega of Cristalab and 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.

Class for 2012-06-25: AJAX[edit]

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 our app we've been building on and uploaded a PHP file to a web host to test it out.

Class for 2012-06-18: jQuery, cont'd[edit]

We built upon the existing Noisetwitter app, using jQuery functions to add the UI for retweeting, favoriting, and replying, and here was our result.

Class for 2012-06-11: jQuery[edit]

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 Noisetwitter client as an example of simple but powerful things you can do with jQuery.

Class for 2012-06-04: JavaScript[edit]

We talked about JavaScript: making webpages interactive through client-side code. We used the console to demonstrate the basics of the language, and we created a file and include it on an existing HTML page, downloadable here.

Class for 2012-05-21: File transfer[edit]

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 downloaded and installed FileZilla and signed up for a NearlyFreeSpeech.NET hosting account - some had to use my personal hosting due to timing reasons.

Class for 2012-05-14: Working from mockups (CSS3 edition)[edit]

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.

Class for 2012-05-07: Working from mockups[edit]

We worked off of this mockup and the annotated version. Assets were found here.

We took all of this and turned it into this work-in-progress site. We'll be completing it next week.

Class for 2012-04-30: CSS floats[edit]

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 (inspect the page). We then took a mockup and created a site from it.

Class for 2012-04-23: CSS positioning[edit]

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. Lecture materials can be downloaded here.

Class for 2012-04-16: CSS selectors and the box model[edit]

We expanded on last week's site to make this site, which added complex selectors and margin rules.

Class for 2012-04-09: the basics[edit]

We created this simple site to demonstrate HTML and CSS basics.

Series 1[edit]

Class for 2012-03-26[edit]

Download the 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.

Class for 2012-03-12[edit]

Verbatim notes for my personal use:

What to do:

  • Always start with HTML
  • Add presentation and behavior next
  • Assume nothing about your audience
  • Be as semantic as possible
  • Use www.html5please.com

What not to do:

  • 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:

  • Starting with the basics makes cross-browser testing easier
  • Makes your site more modular - can switch stylesheets or remove behavior on-the-fly
  • Makes development in teams easier

Drawbacks:

  • App- or game-like sites might be hard to support
  • Supporting all browsers off-the-bat might slow down productivity
  • Can't use cool new CSS3/HTML5 stuff in production yet

Schedule:

  • Create a simple site with an HTML5 sectioning elements
  • 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 HTML5 Boilerplate

Class for 2012-03-05[edit]

Download the CSS3 examples I created in-class.

Other great resources:

Class for 2012-02-27[edit]

We worked on this blog and turned it into a 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.

Class for 2012-02-20[edit]

We took a look at a 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[edit]

We added to the site from last class and added a sign-up form with validation to it.

Class for 2012-02-06[edit]

We added to the site from last class and added modals/submenus to it.

Class for 2012-01-30[edit]

We worked off of this mockup and the annotated version. Assets were found here.

We took all of this and turned it into this site.

Class for 2012-01-23[edit]

I made accounts on my web hosting, but I suggested students get web hosting space at 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.

Here is the source for the previous class's Twitter client, and a PHP file to respond to AJAX requests.

Class for 2012-01-16[edit]

Highly-commented source for the slideshow and Twitter client we worked on.

Class for 2011-12-19[edit]

We modified this document to become an interactive web application: download the full web application here.

Class for 2011-12-12[edit]

Consider downloading FileZilla for a head start.

Here's a simpler mockup we used for the 7:30 recap:

Frontend Web Mockup 2.png

Class for 2011-12-05[edit]

We turned a mockup into HTML and CSS. This is the mockup we used:

Frontend Web Mockup 1.png

Please consider downloading the 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.

Here is the "answer sheet" for the above mockup.

Class for 2011-11-22[edit]

Two articles worth reading for a thorough understanding of CSS positioning: