Domain requirements

First meeting with domain coach

During meeting with my domain coach Matthijs van Veen we established learning program for my in depth project.

Project will be divided into two main topics and studied in following order:

1. In-depth study PHP and MySQL

The aim of this study is to learn how to work with PHP and MySQL. The open source programming language PHP is one of the most used on the web today. Together with the MySQL database these packages are essential for every student that want to become a web developer or technical web designer.

The focus will be on learning basic language elements together with cookies and session. Furthermore a test case should be made and a brief look at the Zend framework is also part of this study.

Prerequisites

The student has knowledge of HTML, CSS and some JavaScript. Furthermore the student knows the basics of the HTTP protocol.

Learning goals

The student can work with and explain the following PHP language elements:

• PHP tags
• Types
• Variables
• Constants
• Expressions
• Operators
• Control structures

The student can work and explain the following PHP features:

• Cookies
• Sessions
• Classes

The student can work and explain MySQL syntax.
The student can work with MySQL syntax in a PHP program to retrieve information from a database.
The student knows how to works with classes and inheritance.
The student is familiar with the Zend framework and is able to explain the benefits of using it.

Literature

PHP manual:
http://www.php.net/manual/en

MySQL tutorial:
http://www.tizag.com/mysqlTutorial

Zend framework:
http://framework.zend.com

Resources

Xampp (easy Apache installation including PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin etc.):
http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html

Other sources:
http://www.php.net
http://www.mysql.com
http://www.apache.org

Assessment and grading

The student will hand in a practical assignment and a report. Furthermore the student will present its work in a ten-minute presentation during one of the assessment meetings in the exam weeks.

The practical assignment will consist of a website or application showing the workings of PHP and MySQL as described in the learning goals. The report will consist of an explanation of the work done together with a critical evaluation of the student work and learning process.

2. In-depth study JavaScript and jQuery

The aim of this study is to learn how to work with JavaScript, the Document Object Model and jQuery, a JavaScript framework.

The focus will be on learning basic language elements and how in interacts with the Document Object Model. Furthermore a study in jQuery will teach the student why this popular framework is used. What problems it solves and how it works.

Prerequisites

The student has knowledge of HTML and CSS.

Learning goals

• The student can explain the origins of JavaScript (ECMAscript) and its relation with ActionScript.
• The student can work and explain the following JavaScript language elements:
  • Statements
  • Variables
  • Data Types
  • Operators
  • Control structures
  • Functions
  • Objects
• The student can construct and explain a JSON string.
• The student can explain the workings of the DOM, how it is used and what the limitations of this model are.
• The student can explain why jQuery was developed and which problems it solves.
• The student can explain the jQuery syntax and how it operates.
• The student can write a jQuery plugin and explain how it works.

Literature

JavaScript Mozilla Developer Network:
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/JavaScript

W3C DOM specifications:
http://www.w3.org/standards/techs/dom#w3c_all
http://www.w3.org/standards/techs/domevents#w3c_all

jQuery:
http://learn.jquery.com/about-jquery/how-jquery-works/

JavaScript and DOM Tutorial:
http://javascript.info/tutorial/browser

Assessment and grading

The student will hand in multiple small practical assignments and a report. Furthermore the student will present its work in a ten-minute presentation during one of the assessment meetings in the exam weeks.

The practical assignment will consist of multiple demos demonstrating the abilities and limitations of JavaScript and jQuery as described in learning goals. The report will consist of an explanation of the work done together with a critical evaluation of the student work and learning process.