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


==== Class for 2013-07-22: AJAX ====
==== Class for 2015-06-22: directives, routing and AJAX with AngularJS ====
We talked about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this extremely easy. We added AJAX functionality to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class11/lecture.zip our app we've been building on]. We used this [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/tweet.php.zip PHP file] to test it out.
We'll continue learning the basics of [https://angularjs.org/ AngularJS] by learning how to encapsulate behavior into reusable elements, load data from the back-end, and create a site that acts as if it has multiple pages while still being a single-page app.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi1arhXXQsw Lecture video]'''<br>
We'll be building off the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class21/lecture.zip work from last week.]
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-07-15: jQuery, cont'd ====
This will be the last class in the series. Thanks for attending, and look forward to a new series in July!
We continued learning about jQuery by focusing on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/lecture.zip the example we saw last week]. We added functionality to it that made it seem more like the real thing.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Bublxub3w Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNiwtyf3M14 Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class22/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2013-07-08: jQuery ====
==== Class for 2015-06-15: intro to AngularJS ====
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.
We'll learn about the basics of [https://angularjs.org/ AngularJS], a popular client-side MVC application framework. Frameworks such as these make it easier to manage data-rich views by keeping everything in sync with each other, and with data in the back-end. To understand how libraries like AngularJS differ from [http://jquery.com jQuery], we'll be taking our [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip NoiseTwitter] app and converting it from one that uses jQuery into one that uses AngularJS instead.


To learn what jQuery can do, we added some scripting to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/assets.zip this sample web app].
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eNXStw0sGg Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class21/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP3MgfcStxg Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2015-06-08: Preprocessors ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
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.


==== Class for 2013-07-01: JavaScript, cont'd ====
To prepare for this class, please install [https://rvm.io/ RVM] with the <code>--ruby=2.2</code> flag if you're using OS X or Linux:
We continued discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Q5DhW8jpA Lecture video]'''<br>
<pre>\curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable --ruby=2.2</pre>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-06-24: JavaScript ====
...then close and reopen a terminal window...
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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfd78FpYPuI Lecture video]'''<br>
<pre>rvm use 2.2</pre>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-06-17: HTTP & SFTP ====
Or for Windows, use [http://rubyinstaller.org/ RubyInstaller].
We talked about file transfer: HTTP, which is the method of getting and sending information in the web browser, and SFTP, which is a method of securely uploading files to a web host.


We set up free web hosting accounts at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net NearlyFreeSpeech.NET], and uploaded to them using [http://filezilla-project.org the FileZilla client].
You can then install [http://middlemanapp.com/ Middleman]:


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfJxBeNzbvQ Lecture video]'''
<pre>gem install middleman</pre>


==== Class for 2013-06-03: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
We'll be working on the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip NoiseCo site].
We continued putting our professional-looking site together from [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class5/lecture.zip where we left off]. We focused on some fancy CSS3 techniques, and we saw how to make an interactive dropdown menu with no JavaScript.


We didn't exactly finish, but I went ahead and put on the finishing touches. [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/noiseco The final product can be found here] (but where we left off can be found in the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/lecture.zip lecture materials]).
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwQD2bDc1-0 Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/jeffreyatw/noiseco Lecture materials]


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMeTFrR1rtA Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2014-10-27: back-end web development ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
This class is all about the seedy underbelly of web development: the backend!


==== Class for 2013-05-20: Working from professional mockups ====
I know we already have a [http://www.railsschool.org/ Rails class here at Noisebridge], but this one is tailored toward front-end developers wanting to get a taste of how things come together. We'll talk about PHP, then Express.js, then Rails.
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 [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].
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:


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y6MxRAPfLs Lecture video]'''<br>
----
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2013-05-13: CSS positioning ====
===== THE EASIEST WAY =====
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.
Come to the class in person and get the USB stick from Jeffrey. Then follow the below "easy" steps without downloading anything.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxROKEWIjB8 Lecture video]'''<br>
===== THE EASY WAY =====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
If you would like to follow along, the easiest option is to run a virtual machine.
* Install [https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads VirtualBox AND the Extension Pack]
* [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series5/class19/Ubuntu.ova Download this preconfigured Ubuntu virtual machine (1.88GB)]
* Double-click the .ova file. You should check the "reinitialize the MAC address" step.
* Start the machine after installation and you're all set!
* System username and password are both "'''front-end'''". Feel free to change them if that's uncomfortable.


==== Class for 2013-05-06: CSS floats ====
===== THE HARDER WAY =====
Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We learned about floats by taking a look at some examples, then took a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and created a site from it.
If you don't want to use a virtual machine.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j6oA4sS99U Lecture video]'''<br>
On Linux, you'll need to follow these steps:
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
* Run:
** <code>sudo apt-get install nodejs</code>
** <code>sudo apt-get install npm</code>
* <code>wget --no-check-certificate https://raw.github.com/joshfng/railsready/master/railsready.sh && bash railsready.sh</code>
** When installing, choose RVM.
* For PHP, follow these instructions: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP


==== Class for 2013-04-22: CSS selectors and the box model ====
On OS X 10.9+:
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.
* Install Node.JS: http://nodejs.org/
* To install Rails, run:
** <code>curl -O https://raw.github.com/joshfng/railsready/master/railsready.sh && bash railsready.sh</code>
*** When installing, choose RVM.
* For PHP, install MAMP: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqQph1vry7A Lecture video]'''<br>
On Windows or OS X 10.8 and below:
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
* http://nodejs.org/ - install Node.JS
* Use RailsInstaller: http://railsinstaller.org/
* And for PHP:
** Mac: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html
** Windows: http://www.wampserver.com/en/


==== Class for 2013-04-15: the basics ====
===== THE HARDEST WAY =====
We covered the very basics:
Install Node.JS, NPM, Apache, PHP, RVM, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!
* Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
 
----
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyCpSpLrSRI Lecture video]
 
==== Class for 2015-05-18: version control (Git) and the command line ====
This class is a general overview on version control and the command line. I've taught how to use an FTP client to upload files to the web, but the truth is that most developers don't do that anymore - rather, they collaborate with their peers by using version control systems, which allows them to keep track of their work in a reliable fashion and push it to the web.
 
Again, this class isn't about web development per se - it's just an important introduction to using the command line to work with Git, one of the most popular version control systems. Everyone will create their own fork of a repository and check in their work.
 
During the half-hour before the class, we'll help people set up Git on their computers. On OS X, you'll need to download Xcode from the App Store, and on Windows you should install [http://msysgit.github.io/ Git for Windows]. Also, please sign up for a [https://github.com GitHub] account.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xy8U4B7834 Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/shakespeare7 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-05-11: the mobile web ====
We'll take [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class17/blog.zip this blog] and turn it into a mobile-accessible website via the use of media queries. We'll also talk about the rest of the world of the mobile web: user agent strings (and why you shouldn't trust them), mobile frameworks (and why they're not perfect), and the use of HTML5/CSS3 in mobile website and app development.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cGwDv1MSPU Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2014-10-06: CSS3 ====
We've covered CSS3 before, but in the context of a mockup. We'll look further into CSS3 with a demonstration of what the new technologies are, how to make the most of them, and how to make sites using CSS3 look good in less capable browsers.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2hGbVqTpXo Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class16/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-04-27: HTML5 elements ====
We'll take an entertaining (in my opinion) look through [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class15/html.zip this page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5" elements, but that's just because they're relatively new.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hs7fXiMmxbo Lecture video]
 
==== Class for 2015-04-20: Ajax ====
We'll talk about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this easy. We'll add Ajax functionality to [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.
 
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].
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uKphYn9eQI Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class14/lecture.zip 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 [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).
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekgRrffUuLo Lecture video]
 
==== 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.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg7wmtJlK2M Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-03-30: Bootstrap ====
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.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImtSy7Atv4g Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-03-23: jQuery, cont'd ====
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.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdwAizbinKw Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class10/lecture.zip 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 [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class9/assets.zip this sample web app].
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm7zsESGeE0 Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-03-09: JavaScript, cont'd ====
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hYHCzIryyc Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class8/lecture.zip 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.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18dlNI3C87s Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class7/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-02-23: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
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.
 
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/lecture.zip Here's where we left off last time.]
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPljsmaygZc Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class6/lecture.zip 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 [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].
 
'''No video for this class. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OralfEawmM4 Here's last series's video.]'''<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class5/lecture.zip 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 [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.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6pJlM6Hsjo Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class4/lecture.zip 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 [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and create a site from it.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpI-3yvswgY Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class3/lecture.zip 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.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzDENIp705U Lecture video]<br>
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2015-01-05: the basics ====
<span style="color:green">'''THIS is the class to attend if you are a complete beginner!'''</span> We are starting the curriculum of this class from square one. We'll cover the very basics:
* Explaining "front-end" vs. "back-end"
* Discussing tools of the trade
* Discussing tools of the trade
* Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
* Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
* Writing a basic HTML page
* Writing a basic HTML page
* Styling the page with basic CSS
* Styling the page with basic CSS
* Explaining the role of frontend web development as a job and career
* 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!


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmDCjhCuNtU Lecture video]'''<br>
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eydq4iapY98 Lecture video]<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series7/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]


----
----


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

Revision as of 21:51, 25 June 2015

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

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

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

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-06-15: intro to AngularJS

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-06-08: Preprocessors

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

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

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

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

rvm use 2.2

Or for Windows, use RubyInstaller.

You can then install Middleman:

gem install middleman

We'll be working on the NoiseCo site.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-10-27: back-end web development

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

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

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


THE EASIEST WAY

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

THE EASY WAY

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

THE HARDER WAY

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

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

On OS X 10.9+:

On Windows or OS X 10.8 and below:

THE HARDEST WAY

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


Lecture video

Class for 2015-05-18: version control (Git) and the command line

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

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

During the half-hour before the class, we'll help people set up Git on their computers. On OS X, you'll need to download Xcode from the App Store, and on Windows you should install Git for Windows. Also, please sign up for a GitHub account.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-05-11: the mobile web

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2014-10-06: CSS3

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-04-27: HTML5 elements

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

Lecture video

Class for 2015-04-20: Ajax

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-04-13: HTTP & SFTP

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

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

Lecture video

Class for 2015-04-06: Forms

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-30: Bootstrap

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-16: jQuery

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-03-02: JavaScript

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Here's where we left off last time.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

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

Class for 2015-02-02: CSS positioning

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-26: CSS floats

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2015-01-05: the basics

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

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials


Notes archive