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


=== Series 2 ===
==== Class for 2016-12-19: back-end web development ====
==== Class for 2012-07-16: Sign-up forms ====
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 Node, then Rails.
We going to continued working on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class12/lecture.zip our site], and added a sign-up form, with validation, inside the modal. We used the [http://bassistance.de/jquery-plugins/jquery-plugin-validation/ jQuery Validation plugin]. This is a very common request from clients and it comes in handy to know all the tips and tricks of forms and validation, and what new HTML5 elements can provide.


==== Class for 2012-07-09: Modals and menus using Twitter Bootstrap ====
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:
We went back to the [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/answersheet.zip "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 [http://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/ 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 ====
===== THE EASIEST WAY =====
John Freddy Vega of [http://www.cristalab.com/ Cristalab] and [http://mejorando.la/ 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.
Come to the class in person and get the USB stick from Jeffrey. Then follow the below "easy" steps without having to download anything.


==== Class for 2012-06-25: AJAX ====
===== THE EASY WAY =====
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 [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class11/lecture.zip added AJAX functionality] to our app we've been building on and uploaded a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class9/tweet.php.zip PHP file] to a web host to test it out.
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/Ubuntu.ova Download this preconfigured Ubuntu virtual machine (2.89GB)]
* 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 2012-06-18: jQuery, cont'd ====
===== THE HARDER WAY =====
We built upon the existing [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/answer%20sheet.zip Noisetwitter] app, using jQuery functions to add the UI for retweeting, favoriting, and replying, and [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class10/lecture.zip here was our result].
If you don't want to use a virtual machine, or would like to set your computer up for further work on your own.


==== Class for 2012-06-11: jQuery ====
====== Linux ======
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 [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class5/answer%20sheet.zip Noisetwitter] client as an example of simple but powerful things you can do with jQuery.
* To set up Node.js installation, run:
** <code>curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_7.x | sudo -E bash -</code>
* Install required packages: <code>sudo apt-get install -y nodejs lamp-server^ ruby ruby-dev zlib1g-dev libsqlite3-dev</code>
** (Press Enter at any prompts.)
* Install Express: <code>sudo npm install -g express-generator</code>
* Install Rails: <code>sudo gem install rails</code>


==== Class for 2012-06-04: JavaScript ====
====== OS X ======
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].
* Upgrade to at least OS X 10.9, preferably the latest (currently macOS Sierra).
* Install the Xcode developer tools:
** <code>xcode-select --install</code>
* For Node.JS:
** Install Node.JS: http://nodejs.org/
** Install Express: <code>npm install -g express-generator</code>
* To install Rails, run:
** <code>sudo gem install rails</code>
* For PHP, install MAMP: http://www.mamp.info/en/index.html


==== Class for 2012-05-21: File transfer ====
====== Windows ======
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 [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.
(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.)


==== Class for 2012-05-14: Working from mockups (CSS3 edition) ====
In all cases where there is a choice, choose 64-bit (x64).
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.
* Install Git for Windows: http://www.git-scm.com/ (all default settings)
* For Node.JS:
** Install Node.JS: http://nodejs.org/ (all default settings)
** Install Express by opening Git Bash and running:
*** <code>npm install -g express-generator</code>
* For Rails:
** Install the latest Ruby from http://rubyinstaller.org/downloads/
*** When installing, choose to "add Ruby executables to your PATH".
** Install the Ruby Development Kit by following these instructions: https://github.com/oneclick/rubyinstaller/wiki/Development-Kit
** Install Rails by opening Git Bash and running:
*** <code>gem install rails</code>
* For PHP:
** Install the Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30679
** Install WampServer: http://www.wampserver.com/en/


==== Class for 2012-05-07: Working from mockups ====
===== THE HARDEST WAY =====
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].
Install Node.JS, NPM, Express, Apache, PHP, Ruby, and Rails individually. Good luck!


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.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXuMqubHN8w Lecture video]


==== Class for 2012-04-30: CSS floats ====
==== Class for 2016-12-12: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
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.
We will continue working off of our mockup and apply responsive code in the process.


==== Class for 2012-04-23: CSS positioning ====
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/noiseco Mockups and assets can be found here].
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.]


==== Class for 2012-04-16: CSS selectors and the box model ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obzIeM1-qZg 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.
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class18 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-04-09: the basics ====
==== Class for 2016-12-05: Working from professional mockups ====
We created [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class1/lecture.zip this simple site] to demonstrate HTML and CSS basics.
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.


=== Series 1 ===
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/noiseco Mockups and assets can be found here].


==== Class for 2012-03-26 ====
This class will require the use of [https://harpjs.com/ Harp], a static web server, as we'd like to make this as realistic of a project as possible. As a bonus, we'll learn how to use preprocessors like [http://sass-lang.com/ Sass] to help us with our code.
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.


==== Class for 2012-03-12 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKIoZwgkFo4 Lecture video]<br>
Verbatim notes for my personal use:
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class18 Lecture materials]


What to do:
==== Class for 2016-11-28: Modern CSS ====
* Always start with HTML
We'll talk about a number of topics concerning modern CSS development: CSS3, browser support, BEM, and responsive design (for mobile devices).
* 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:
We'll start on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series6/class17/blog.zip this multi-column page] and make it work on mobile.
* 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:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOCckaqAT1E Lecture video]<br>
* Starting with the basics makes cross-browser testing easier
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class17 Lecture materials]
* Makes your site more modular - can switch stylesheets or remove behavior on-the-fly
* Makes development in teams easier


Drawbacks:
==== Class for 2016-11-14: CSS positioning ====
* App- or game-like sites might be hard to support
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.
* 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=LvXiyXpXjS0 Lecture video] (no recap)<br>
* Create a simple site with an HTML5 sectioning elements
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class16 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 2016-11-07: CSS floats & flexbox ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class15/examples.zip Download the CSS3 examples I created in-class.]
Floating and flexbox are two methods behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's stacked horizontally. We'll learn about them by taking a look at some examples, discuss the pros and cons of each, then take a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and create a site from it.


Other great resources:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWQXTf-zvNA Lecture video]<br>
* [http://simurai.com/tagged/lab Simurai's lab]
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class15 Lecture materials]
* [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 ====
==== Class for 2016-10-24: Redux ====
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.
We took a look at [https://facebook.github.io/react/ React] last week. There are a few aspects that we could probably optimize, by reducing the amount of props passed between components, and the amount of unnecessary renders. [http://redux.js.org/ Redux] will help us achieve that goal. We'll continue working on the [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class13/noisetwitter React app] we made last week.


==== Class for 2012-02-20 ====
To prepare, make sure you have the current version ("Latest Features") of [https://nodejs.org Node.js] installed.
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.


==== Class for 2012-02-13 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN82tjV7Wzo Lecture video] (no sound until the half hour mark)<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].
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class14 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-02-06 ====
==== Class for 2016-10-17: React ====
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].
[https://facebook.github.io/react/ React] is a JavaScript UI library that's skyrocketing in popularity. We'll take the [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class10 NoiseTwitter] app we've made in jQuery and Angular and do it again in React, with the help of [https://github.com/facebookincubator/create-react-app Create React App] which will propel us into a modern JavaScript development environment. This class is an intro on just plain React in the DOM, but the next class will add in additional libraries like [http://redux.js.org/ Redux], [https://github.com/paularmstrong/normalizr Normalizr], and possibly [https://github.com/reactjs/reselect Reselect].


==== Class for 2012-01-30 ====
To prepare, make sure you have the current version ("Latest Features") of [https://nodejs.org Node.js] installed.
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].


We took all of this and turned it into [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class10/answersheet.zip this site].
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2Wd6zf7r3c Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class13 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-01-23 ====
==== Class for 2016-10-10: AngularJS ====
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.
We'll learn about the basics of [https://angularjs.org/ AngularJS] (version 1), a popular client-side MVC application framework. Frameworks such as these make it easier to manage data-rich views by keeping everything in sync with each other. To understand how libraries like AngularJS differ from [http://jquery.com jQuery], we'll be taking our [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class10 NoiseTwitter] app and converting it from one that uses jQuery into one that uses AngularJS instead.


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].
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcyRaDiX-yM Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class12 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2012-01-16 ====
==== Class for 2016-10-03: Forms ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class8/jQuery.zip Highly-commented source for the slideshow and Twitter client we worked on.]
We'll create a Foundation-based landing page with a sign-up form. We'll learn about built-in HTML5 validation, but also use the [http://jqueryvalidation.org/ jQuery Validation plugin] to help us where browser support is necessary.


==== Class for 2011-12-19 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpAnET5yu_s Lecture video]<br>
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].
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class11 Lecture materials]


==== Class for 2011-12-12 ====
==== Class for 2016-09-26: Ajax ====
Consider downloading [http://filezilla-project.org/ FileZilla] for a head start.
We'll talk about Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, a technology that allows us to talk to a server without leaving the page. jQuery makes this easy. We'll add Ajax functionality to [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class7 the Twitter app]. We'll use this [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/blob/master/series8/class10/noisetwitter/source/tweet.php PHP file] to test it out.


Here's a simpler mockup we used for the 7:30 recap:
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].
[[File:Frontend_Web_Mockup_2.png|thumb|none]]


==== Class for 2011-12-05 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XVADFCRE8Y Lecture video]<br>
We turned a mockup into HTML and CSS. This is the mockup we used:
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class10 Lecture materials]
[[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.
==== Class for 2016-09-19: HTTP, SFTP, and Git-based web hosting ====
We'll talk about file transfer: HTTP, which is the method of getting and sending information in the web browser; SFTP, which is a method of securely uploading files to a web host; and how to use Git to host a site.


[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/Frontend%20Mockup%20class%20December%202011.zip Here is the "answer sheet" for the above mockup.]
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).


==== Class for 2011-11-22 ====
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BusUpTsPrbw Lecture video]
Two articles worth reading for a thorough understanding of CSS positioning:
 
* http://www.alistapart.com/articles/css-positioning-101/
==== Class for 2016-09-12: Starting a new project ====
* http://www.alistapart.com/articles/css-floats-101/
A text editor and web browser are all that's required to begin a project - but how about getting a head start? We'll talk about [https://foundation.zurb.com/ Foundation], a framework that gives us a head start with laying out a new site.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggtcEpavFNQ Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class8 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2016-08-29: jQuery, cont'd ====
We'll continue learning about jQuery by focusing on [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class6 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=iV91g_MYpzE Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class7 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2016-08-15: 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 [https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class6/start this sample web app].
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3cgv2g1pY Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class6 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2016-08-08: JavaScript, cont'd ====
We'll continue discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baAJZRve41Y Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class5 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2016-08-01: JavaScript ====
We'll talk about JavaScript: making web pages interactive through client-side code. We'll use the console, which is part of the browser's developer tools, to demonstrate the basics of the language. This and next week's class can be treated as a general introduction to programming.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_DSK5hhU0 Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class4 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2016-01-25: version control (Git) and the command line ====
This class is a general overview on version control and the command line. Most developers collaborate with their peers by using version control systems, which allows them to keep track of their work in a reliable fashion and push it to the web.
 
Again, this class isn't about web development per se - it's just an important introduction to using the command line to work with Git, one of the most popular version control systems. Everyone will create their own fork of a repository and check in their work.
 
During the half-hour before the class, we'll help people set up Git on their computers. On OS X, type <code>git</code> in a Terminal to get started. On Windows you should install [http://msysgit.github.io/ Git for Windows]. Also, please sign up for a [https://github.com GitHub] account.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zxh7ZimG77A Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/shakespeare10 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2016-07-18: 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. All of this will be made easy with browser developer tools, which we'll learn how to use.
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZvaR6n-3ao Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class2 Lecture materials]
 
==== Class for 2016-07-11: the basics ====
<strong style="color:green">THIS is the class to attend if you are a complete beginner!</strong> 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!
 
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVtoau13GU8 Lecture video]<br>
[https://github.com/JeffreyATW/fwd/tree/master/series10/class1 Lecture materials]
 
----
 
[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Class notes from previous series]]

Latest revision as of 22:16, 15 January 2017

Notes from previous Front-end Web Development classes.

Class for 2016-12-19: 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 Node, 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 macOS Sierra).
  • 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 2016-12-12: Working from professional mockups, cont'd[edit]

We will continue working off of our mockup and apply responsive code in the process.

Mockups and assets can be found here.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-12-05: 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, a static web server, 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 2016-11-28: Modern CSS[edit]

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

We'll start on this multi-column page and make it work on mobile.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-11-14: CSS positioning[edit]

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 (no recap)
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-11-07: 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 2016-10-24: Redux[edit]

We took a look at React last week. There are a few aspects that we could probably optimize, by reducing the amount of props passed between components, and the amount of unnecessary renders. Redux will help us achieve that goal. We'll continue working on the React app we made last week.

To prepare, make sure you have the current version ("Latest Features") of Node.js installed.

Lecture video (no sound until the half hour mark)
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-10-17: React[edit]

React is a JavaScript UI library that's skyrocketing in popularity. We'll take the NoiseTwitter app we've made in jQuery and Angular and do it again in React, with the help of Create React App which will propel us into a modern JavaScript development environment. This class is an intro on just plain React in the DOM, but the next class will add in additional libraries like Redux, Normalizr, and possibly Reselect.

To prepare, make sure you have the current version ("Latest Features") of Node.js installed.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-10-10: 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. 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 2016-10-03: Forms[edit]

We'll create a Foundation-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 2016-09-26: 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 2016-09-19: 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

Class for 2016-09-12: Starting a new project[edit]

A text editor and web browser are all that's required to begin a project - but how about getting a head start? We'll talk about Foundation, a framework that gives us a head start with laying out a new site.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-08-29: 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 2016-08-15: 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 2016-08-08: JavaScript, cont'd[edit]

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-08-01: 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 2016-07-18: 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. All of this will be made easy with browser developer tools, which we'll learn how to use.

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2016-07-11: 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"
  • 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


Class notes from previous series