COM3780 OVERVIEWProf. Van Kelly

Fall 2014

Why this course?

• The Web is central to shifts in world culture

• Web skills are "table stakes" for many programming jobs

• "Web page" know-how is no longer enough

• Web technology is commoditized, BUT…

• strong CS background essential to Web innovation

• deep technical knowledge of Web is still scarce, lucrative

• the Web is still in flux – lots of improvements needed

Pre- and Co-Requisites• Formal coursework prerequisite: only COM1300

• HOWEVER:• this course requires a self-motivated approach (no spoon-feeding) • the more programming experience the better• intense curiosity about web technology• good Web research skills• exposure to the command-line interface helps• if COM1300 is your ONLY programming experience, the pace may be

challenging

• You need a PC (preferably laptop) to work on• Either PC or Mac, with software for each• You need to be able to install software on your PC• YU Lab computers can work, with portable apps on a stick

Expectation: Upper division work habits

• Attendance and punctuality

• up to 2 absences if pre-excused, must make up notes

• 3 single-day extensions for assignments – that’ s all!

• Preparation

• Keep up with readings and videos;

check out all links in lecture notes

• Come to class with questions based on your own Googling.

• Collaboration

• Study groups/pairs strongly encouraged for all work

• Teach each other! (esp. sysadmin skills)

• Class forum/blog for sharing helpful research insights

• Exception: work you turn in is your own code! (of course)

Assignments and Grading• 7 programming assignments (40% of grade)

• not intended to be overly taxing• will need consistent work over time

• 2 exams (40%)• exam 1 emphasizes HTML, CSS, PHP, SQL (15% of grade)• exam 2 emphasizes JavaScript, AJAX, security (25% )• collateral readings also covered on exams• searching for alternatives to in-class written exams.

• Other (20%)• Final project on approved topic complete with prototype

and write-up.• class participation and quizzes

COM3780 has gone "blended"!!

"Blended" course Q&A• Q: What is this "blended" thing?• A: Material will be presented using a mixture of

• live lecture for fast-changing topics• on-line active learning (video with quizzes) for stable technology• self-managed readings

• Q: Why are we doing this?• A: To try to give a superior learning experience.

• Q: Isn't YU just going cheap on us?• A: This approach is NOT cheaper, but it may pay some

dividends in the future.

• Q: What is this "on-line active learning" thing?• A: Mostly short (7-10 minute) screencasts interspersed

with interactive quizzes and exercises.

• Q: Does this increase my overall time commitment?• A: No, we give you time off from the live lectures, and you

can speed-view the screencasts if you want.

• Q: Are more courses going to be "blended" in the future.• A: Probably, but your feedback on each blended module

in this course will affect YU's future approach.

"Blended" course Q&A

Other questions on blending?

Stuff you must download and install• Web server for your PC/Mac; XAMPP is suggested.

• Firefox Browser (latest)• Web Developer Tools add-on (Firebug is equally good)• FireFTP and FireSSH add-ons can make life easier

• Chrome Browser (latest)• Has webdev tools baked in• No reliable FTP add-on, though

• a programmer-oriented text editor; free options include:• Notepad++ (windows) with NppFTP add-in• TextWrangler or TextMate 2.0 beta (mac)• Old standbys like vim and emacs will also work, if you prefer

Readings:• The textbook: get it quickly!

Web Programming: Step by Step, 2nd Edition; Stepp, Miller, & Kirst; self-published on lulu.com; 2012(do not get 1st edition – not useful to us)

• To go deeper, the "Missing Manual" series is excellent on almost every web topic except PHP (check Amazon)

• PHP's best source is the online docs at php.net – nicely done!

• Links on almost every slide of every talk• You are responsible for keeping up!

Cheat Sheets & Charts (luv 'em)• caniuse.org: charts -- which browsers support which features?

• Refcardz: high-quality source of cheat sheets

• You must sign up (free) to use this legally

• Recommended: (CSS) #19, #25, #34, (HTML5) #123, (REST)#139

• Designbeep: 100+ cheat sheets for web developers

• The most boring parts of JavaScript grammar in a cheatsheet(the only one I’ve found that covers the basics like this).

• TopDesignMag’s selection of mostly high-quality cheatsheets

Class Communication

• Moodle is "Plan A" (may need tweaks)• initial forum is set up• each module will have its own forum

• "Plan B" is Piazza

• No Angel if I can help it

• I also check email several time a day

Read the Syllabus!• Policies• Grade Scale• Day-by-day content plan

Course Outline

Before Fall Break:"Web 1.0" pages

• HTML• CSS• PHP• Forms and uploads• SQL

After Break"Web 2.0" apps

• JavaScript• jQuery• Animations• DOM• AJAX• XML & JSON• Security

First 2 Weeks• Today: introductory live lecture

• Starting tonight:

• try to install software

• start videos for Module 1 on Moodle

• take video quizzes (I will check)

• Wednesday:

• no live lecture.

• meet here for help session on Moodle and installing software

• Next Monday: labor day, no lecture

• Next live lecture will be Wednesday 9/3

• You must have finished Module 1 or you will be confused!

Any other general questions about the course?