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


=== Series 2 ===
==== Class for 2015-04-20: Ajax ====
We'll talk about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this easy. We'll add Ajax functionality to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip the Twitter app] and, time permitting, the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip corporate site]. We'll use these [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class14/php.zip PHP files] to test them out.


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


==== Class for 2012-05-21: File transfer ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uKphYn9eQI Lecture video]<br>
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).
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class14/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


We downloaded and installed [http://filezilla-project.org FileZilla] and signed up for a [https://nearlyfreespeech.net NearlyFreeSpeech.NET] hosting account - some had to use my personal hosting due to timing reasons.
==== Class for 2015-04-13: HTTP & SFTP ====
We'll talk about file transfer: HTTP, which is the method of getting and sending information in the web browser, and SFTP, which is a method of securely uploading files to a web host.


==== Class for 2012-05-14: Working from mockups (CSS3 edition) ====
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 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 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgRrffUuLo Lecture video]
We worked off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup] and the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version]. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip Assets were found here].


We took all of this and turned it into [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/lecture.zip this work-in-progress site]. We'll be completing it next week.
==== Class for 2015-04-06: Forms ====
We'll continue working on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class11/lecture.zip our site] and add a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We'll learn about built-in HTML5 validation, but also use the [http://jqueryvalidation.org/ jQuery Validation plugin] to help us where browser support is necessary.


==== Class for 2012-04-30: CSS floats ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg7wmtJlK2M Lecture video]<br>
Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We learned about floats by taking a look at some [http://nytimes.com examples (inspect the page)]. We then took a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/answersheet.zip created a site] from it.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-04-23: CSS positioning ====
==== Class for 2015-03-30: Bootstrap ====
We focused on positioning of elements: spacing them out from other elements using margins, positioning them absolutely on the page, positioning them relatively, fixed and more. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials can be downloaded here.]
We'll go back to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class6/lecture.zip "professional" site we put together a number of weeks ago] and add more functionality to it with some jQuery plugins. We'll first make a dialog box - or a "modal" - pop up when you click the sign up buttons. We'll do this by introducing [http://getbootstrap.com/ Bootstrap] to make common user controls easier to create. We'll also compare our CSS-only menu with one made with the help of Bootstrap, explaining the differences between the two.


==== Class for 2012-04-16: CSS selectors and the box model ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImtSy7Atv4g Lecture video]<br>
We expanded on last week's site to make [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class2/lecture.zip this site], which added complex selectors and margin rules.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-04-09: the basics ====
==== Class for 2015-03-23: jQuery, cont'd ====
We created [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class1/lecture.zip this simple site] to demonstrate HTML and CSS basics.
We'll continue learning about jQuery by focusing on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class9/lecture.zip the example we worked on last class]. We'll add functionality to it that will make it seem more like the real thing.


=== Series 1 ===
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdwAizbinKw Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-03-26 ====
==== Class for 2015-03-16: jQuery ====
Download the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class18/class18.zip site we walked through]. It's a responsive site with slight jQuery magic and a bunch of semantic HTML and CSS trickery. A good rollup of all the stuff we've learned in the class.
We'll 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 2012-03-12 ====
To learn what jQuery can do, we'll add some scripting to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class9/assets.zip this sample web app].
Verbatim notes for my personal use:


What to do:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm7zsESGeE0 Lecture video]<br>
* Always start with HTML
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
* Add presentation and behavior next
* Assume nothing about your audience
* Be as semantic as possible
* Use [http://www.html5please.com www.html5please.com]


What not to do:
==== Class for 2015-03-09: JavaScript, cont'd ====
* Use inline style tags
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.
* Implement security on the frontend
* Expect links to work only with JS - modals, AJAX, etc.
* Tell users to upgrade
* Start with a rich site and then work backward


Benefits:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hYHCzIryyc Lecture video]<br>
* Starting with the basics makes cross-browser testing easier
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
* Makes your site more modular - can switch stylesheets or remove behavior on-the-fly
* Makes development in teams easier


Drawbacks:
==== Class for 2015-03-02: JavaScript ====
* App- or game-like sites might be hard to support
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.
* Supporting all browsers off-the-bat might slow down productivity
* Can't use cool new CSS3/HTML5 stuff in production yet


Schedule:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18dlNI3C87s Lecture video]<br>
* Create a simple site with an HTML5 sectioning elements
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class7/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
* Add CSS
* Add JS
* Show site without CSS and JS added on
* Show site in IE6
* Install ChromeVox and read through site
* Explain browser "hacks"
* Explain JS feature testing (modernizr)
* Show what not to do
* Show [http://html5boilerplate.com/ HTML5 Boilerplate]


==== Class for 2012-03-05 ====
==== Class for 2015-02-23: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class15/examples.zip Download the CSS3 examples I created in-class.]
We will continue working off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup], its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version], and its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip image assets] and learn a bit about CSS3 in the process.


Other great resources:
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/lecture.zip Here's where we left off last time.]
* [http://simurai.com/tagged/lab Simurai's lab]
* [http://css3please.com/ CSS3 Please!]
* [http://caniuse.com/ When can I use...]
* [http://jeffreyatw.com/portfolio Jeffrey's portfolio - see Menorah and Draggy under HTML5 Toys]


==== Class for 2012-02-27 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPljsmaygZc Lecture video]<br>
We worked on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class14/blog.zip this blog] and turned it into a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class14/answersheet.zip mobile-accessible website]. We also talked about user agent strings, frameworks like jQuery Mobile and Sencha Touch, and talked about the future of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website development.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-02-20 ====
==== Class for 2015-02-09: Working from professional mockups ====
We took a look at a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class13/html5_elements.zip page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5", but that's just because they're new.
We'll take the knowledge we gained from looking at the CSS box model, floats, and positioning, and work off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup.png this mockup] and its [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/mockup_annotations.png annotated version] to make a site that could pass as a professional design (but don't take my word for it). [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class5/assets.zip Image assets can be found here].


==== Class for 2012-02-13 ====
'''No video for this class. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OralfEawmM4 Here's last series's video.]'''<br>
We added to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class11/answersheet.zip site from last class] and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class12/answersheet.zip added a sign-up form with validation to it].
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-02-06 ====
==== Class for 2015-02-02: CSS positioning ====
We added to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/answersheet.zip site from last class] and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class11/answersheet.zip added modals/submenus to it].
In the last few classes, we've focused on element measurements and floats. This time, we'll focus on positioning of elements: using absolute, relative, or fixed positioning to put the elements anywhere we want on the whole page. We'll use [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class4/mockup.png this mockup] along with [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class4/assets.zip these assets] to put together a page that demonstrates positioning.


==== Class for 2012-01-30 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6pJlM6Hsjo Lecture video]<br>
We worked off of [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/mockup.png this mockup] and the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/mockup_annotations.png annotated version]. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/assets.zip Assets were found here].
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


We took all of this and turned it into [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/answersheet.zip this site].
==== Class for 2015-01-26: CSS floats ====
Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We'll learn about floats by taking a look at some examples, then take a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and create a site from it.


==== Class for 2012-01-23 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpI-3yvswgY Lecture video]<br>
I made accounts on my web hosting, but I suggested students get web hosting space at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ NearlyFreeSpeech.Net], which will set you up with a pay-as-you-go site. It's free until you start getting a significant amount of traffic.
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


Here is the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class8/jQuery.zip source for the previous class's Twitter client], and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class9/tweet.php.zip a PHP file to respond to AJAX requests].
==== Class for 2015-01-12: CSS selectors and the box model ====
CSS selectors are probably the most complex part of the CSS language, so we'll look at them further in-depth. We'll also talk about the box model, the display concept that makes words and containers on the web look like they do.


==== Class for 2012-01-16 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzDENIp705U Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class8/jQuery.zip Highly-commented source for the slideshow and Twitter client we worked on.]
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2011-12-19 ====
==== Class for 2015-01-05: the basics ====
We modified [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/noisetwitter.zip this document] to become an interactive web application: [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/answer%20sheet.zip download the full web application here].
<span style="color:green">'''THIS is the class to attend if you are a complete beginner!'''</span> We are starting the curriculum of this class from square one. We'll cover the very basics:
* Explaining "front-end" vs. "back-end"
* Discussing tools of the trade
* Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
* Writing a basic HTML page
* Styling the page with basic CSS
* Explaining the role of front-end web development as a job and career


==== Class for 2011-12-12 ====
No recap session for this class. Please show up before 8pm, as physical space is limited. Bring a laptop!
Consider downloading [http://filezilla-project.org/ FileZilla] for a head start.


Here's a simpler mockup we used for the 7:30 recap:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eydq4iapY98 Lecture video]<br>
[[File:Frontend_Web_Mockup_2.png|thumb|none]]
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2011-12-05 ====
----
We turned a mockup into HTML and CSS. This is the mockup we used:
[[File:Frontend_Web_Mockup_1.png|thumb|none]]


Please consider downloading the [http://www.gimp.org/ GNU Image Manipulation Tool (GIMP)], as we might be opening it up to work with this mockup. Photoshop or Fireworks will work swimmingly if you have them, though.
[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Notes archive]]
 
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/Frontend%20Mockup%20class%20December%202011.zip Here is the "answer sheet" for the above mockup.]
 
==== Class for 2011-11-22 ====
Two articles worth reading for a thorough understanding of CSS positioning:
* http://www.alistapart.com/articles/css-positioning-101/
* http://www.alistapart.com/articles/css-floats-101/

Revision as of 21:30, 22 April 2015

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

Class for 2015-04-20: Ajax

We'll talk about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this easy. We'll add Ajax functionality to the Twitter app and, time permitting, the corporate site. We'll use these PHP files to test them out.

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-04-13: HTTP & SFTP

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

We'll set up free web hosting accounts at NearlyFreeSpeech.NET (which you should sign up for now), and upload to them using the FileZilla client (which you should install now).

Lecture video

Class for 2015-04-06: Forms

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-30: Bootstrap

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-16: jQuery

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-02: JavaScript

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Here's where we left off last time.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-02-09: Working from professional mockups

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

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

Class for 2015-02-02: CSS positioning

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-26: CSS floats

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-12: CSS selectors and the box model

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-05: the basics

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

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials


Notes archive