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Notes from previous [[Frontend Web Development]] classes.
Notes from previous [[Frontend Web Development]] classes.


=== Series 3 ===
==== Class for 2013-07-22: AJAX ====
==== Class for 2012-10-15: CSS floats ====
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.
Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We learned about floats by taking a look at some examples, then took a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class4/mockup.png mockup] and created a site from it.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJeN9P8x1VE Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi1arhXXQsw Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class12/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-10-08: CSS positioning ====
==== Class for 2013-07-15: jQuery, cont'd ====
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.
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=nTL_YDz3zmo Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Bublxub3w Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class11/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-10-01: CSS selectors and the box model ====
==== Class for 2013-07-08: jQuery ====
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.
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.


'''No video for this class. :('''<br>
To learn what jQuery can do, we added some scripting to [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/assets.zip this sample web app].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-09-24: the basics ====
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP3MgfcStxg Lecture video]'''<br>
We covered the very basics:
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class10/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
* 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


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r87aEOpelzQ Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2013-07-01: JavaScript, cont'd ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series3/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
We continued discussing JavaScript basics: arrays, objects, creating functions, and scopes.


=== Series 2 ===
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Q5DhW8jpA Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2012-09-10: Preprocessors ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class9/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
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!).


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idizayqUsng Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2013-06-24: JavaScript ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class20/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
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.


==== Class for 2012-08-27: Backend web development ====
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfd78FpYPuI Lecture video]'''<br>
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!
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class8/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


To prepare for this class, you could either set up a PHP-powered web server on your laptop ([http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/58247/how-do-i-enable-php-on-mountain-lion-os-x-10-8 Mac instructions]), or get an account at [https://www.nearlyfreespeech.net/ NearlyFreeSpeech.NET].
==== Class for 2013-06-17: HTTP & SFTP ====
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.


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U45cUjt1abM Lecture video]'''<br>
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].
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class19/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-08-20: Progressive enhancement ====
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfJxBeNzbvQ Lecture video]'''
We talked about progressive enhancement - a practice where websites are created in a layered way that makes them accessible and cross-browser friendly. We looked at [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class18/lecture.zip 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.
==== Class for 2013-06-03: Working from professional mockups, cont'd ====
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.


'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgpUQmDb69U Lecture video]'''
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]).


==== Class for 2012-08-13: CSS3 and CSS4 ====
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMeTFrR1rtA Lecture video]'''<br>
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.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class6/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oocNUFICq4M Lecture video]'''<br>
==== Class for 2013-05-20: Working from professional mockups ====
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class17/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''
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).


==== Class for 2012-08-06: Mobile websites ====
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].
We worked on [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class14/blog.zip this blog] and turn it into a [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class16/lecture.zip 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 ====
'''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y6MxRAPfLs Lecture video]'''<br>
We took a look through [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class13/html5_elements.zip this page containing every currently valid HTML element]. Many of them are considered "HTML5", but that's just because they're new.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class5/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-07-23: Other jQuery plugins ====
==== Class for 2013-05-13: CSS positioning ====
Our final jQuery-focused class touched on a number of other common plugins that are found in the wild:
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.
* [http://twitter.github.com/bootstrap/javascript.html#tooltips Tooltip/Popover (Bootstrap)] - mouse over elements to create tooltips
* [http://jqueryui.com/demos/datepicker/ Datepicker (jQuery UI)] - fancy datepickers appearing near your input fields
* [http://jqueryui.com/demos/accordion/ Accordion (jQuery UI)] - collapse and unfold lists of elements
* [http://digitalbush.com/projects/masked-input-plugin/ Masked input] - provide visual guidance for field entry
* [http://flesler.blogspot.com/2007/10/jqueryscrollto.html ScrollTo] - smoothly scroll to a location on the page
* [http://jquery.malsup.com/cycle/ Cycle] - make easy slideshows
* [http://harvesthq.github.com/chosen/ Chosen] - style dropdowns
We created [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class14/lecture.zip this page that uses all of the plugins].


==== Class for 2012-07-16: Sign-up forms ====
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxROKEWIjB8 Lecture video]'''<br>
We 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.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class4/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-07-09: Modals and menus using Twitter Bootstrap ====
==== Class for 2013-05-06: CSS floats ====
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.
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.


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.
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j6oA4sS99U Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class3/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-07-02: Guest speaker - HTML5 ====
==== Class for 2013-04-22: CSS selectors and the box model ====
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.
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.


==== Class for 2012-06-25: AJAX ====
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqQph1vry7A Lecture video]'''<br>
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.
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class2/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


==== Class for 2012-06-18: jQuery, cont'd ====
==== Class for 2013-04-15: the basics ====
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].
We covered the very basics:
 
* Explaining "frontend" vs. "backend"
==== Class for 2012-06-11: jQuery ====
* Discussing tools of the trade
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.
* Explaining the separation between structure, presentation, and behavior
 
* Writing a basic HTML page
==== Class for 2012-06-04: JavaScript ====
* Styling the page with basic CSS
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].
* Explaining the role of frontend web development as a job and career
 
==== Class for 2012-05-21: File transfer ====
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.
 
==== Class for 2012-05-14: Working from mockups (CSS3 edition) ====
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 ====
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 2012-04-30: CSS floats ====
Floating is the secret sauce behind creating websites with multiple columns, navigation menus, and basically any block element that's aligned to the left or right. We learned about floats by taking a look at some [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.
 
==== Class for 2012-04-23: CSS positioning ====
We focused on positioning of elements: spacing them out from other elements using margins, positioning them absolutely on the page, positioning them relatively, fixed and more. [http://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 ====
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.
 
==== Class for 2012-04-09: the basics ====
We created [http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series2/class1/lecture.zip this simple site] to demonstrate HTML and CSS basics.
 
=== Series 1 ===
 
==== Class for 2012-03-26 ====
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 ====
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 [http://www.html5please.com 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 [http://html5boilerplate.com/ HTML5 Boilerplate]
 
==== Class for 2012-03-05 ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class15/examples.zip Download the CSS3 examples I created in-class.]
 
Other great resources:
* [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 ====
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.
 
==== Class for 2012-02-20 ====
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 ====
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].
 
==== Class for 2012-02-06 ====
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].
 
==== Class for 2012-01-30 ====
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].
 
==== Class for 2012-01-23 ====
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.
 
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 2012-01-16 ====
[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/class8/jQuery.zip Highly-commented source for the slideshow and Twitter client we worked on.]
 
==== Class for 2011-12-19 ====
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].
 
==== Class for 2011-12-12 ====
Consider downloading [http://filezilla-project.org/ FileZilla] for a head start.
 
Here's a simpler mockup we used for the 7:30 recap:
[[File:Frontend_Web_Mockup_2.png|thumb|none]]
 
==== 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.
'''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmDCjhCuNtU Lecture video]'''<br>
'''[http://jeffreyatw.com/static/frontend/series4/class1/lecture.zip Lecture materials]'''


[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 ====
[[Frontend_Web_Development/Notes/Archive|Notes archive]]
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 21:48, 23 July 2013

Notes from previous Frontend Web Development classes.

Class for 2013-07-22: AJAX

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

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

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

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

Lecture video
Lecture materials

Class for 2013-06-24: JavaScript

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Notes archive