MA C118 Fundamentals of Web Scripting

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides students with an introduction to scripting languages for use on the World Wide Web. Course content includes a client-side scripting language and a server-side scripting language. Students will gain a basic understanding of client/server interaction and produce simple scripts that enhance interactivity of a site, process form data, authenticate user login, and much more.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to

1. compare and contrast benefits and features of client-side and server-side scripts and identify uses for each.
2. identify document objects common to most browsers and describe the Document Object Model hierarchy.
3. understand Javascript syntax and create scripts to control documents, windows, images, form elements, and calculations.
4. understand Perl syntax and create scripts to process form data to a database, text file, e-mail, or printing to screen.
5. create a Perl security script to verify username and password.
6. write a Perl script to create cookies.
7. create a Perl script to view client/server environmental variables.
8. implement Server-Side Includes (SSI) to create simple dynamic content.
9. demonstrate leadership and effective communication skills with peers

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Definitions and Role (A)
   1. Client-side vs. server-side scripting
   2. Scripting vs. programming
   3. Browser and server compatibility
   4. Common Javascript uses
   5. Common Perl uses
      
2. Javascript: Document Objects (A, B)
   1. Document Object Model [DOM]
   2. Document loading
   3. Object references
   4. Properties
   5. Methods
   6. Event handlers
   7. Inserting scripts into HTML
      
3. Javascript: Syntax (A, C)
   1. Variables
   2. Expressions and evaluation
   3. Data type conversions
   4. Operators
   5. Decisions and loops
   6. Control structures
   7. Loops
   8. Arrays
      
4. Javascript: Window and Document Objects (A, C)
   1. Window object
   2. Window properties and methods
   3. Location object
   4. History object
   5. Document object
   6. Link object
      
5. Javascript: Forms and Form Elements (A, C)
   1. The form object
   2. Form controls as objects
   3. Passing form data and elements to functions
   4. Submitting and prevalidating forms
      
6. Javascript: Strings, Math, and Dates (A, C)
   1. Core language objects
   2. String objects
   3. The math object
   4. The date object
   5. Date calculations
      
7. Javascript: Scripting Frames and Multiple Window (A, C)
   1. Parent and child frames
   2. References among family members
   3. Navigation bars
      
8. Javascript: Images and Dynamic HTML (A, C)
   1. Rollover, interchangeable, and pre-cached images
   2. Layers
      
9. Perl: Overview and Syntax (A, D)
   1. Data
   2. Filehandlers
   3. Operators and functions
   4. Statements, blocks, and scope
   5. List Values and Arrays
   6. Testing Perl scripts
      
10. Unary and Binary Operators (A, D, E, F, G, H)
    1. Terms and list operators
    2. Autoincrement and autodecrement
    3. Exponentiation
    4. Binding operators
    5. Additive, multiplicative and equality operators
    6. Relational operators
    7. Conditional operators
    8. Logical operators
       
11. Statements and Declarations (A, D, E, F, G, H)
    1. Simple and compound statements
    2. If and unless statements
    3. Loops
    4. “goto” statements
    5. Global and scoped declarations
       
12. Pattern Matching (A, D, E, F, G, H)
    1. Regular Expression
    2. Pattern-matching operators
    3. Metacharacters and metasymbols
    4. Character classes
    5. Quantifiers
    6. Positions
    7. Capturing and clustering
    8. Alternation
       
13. Subroutines (A, D, E, F, G, H)
    1. Syntax
    2. Semantics
    3. Passing References
    4. Prototypes
       
14. Data Structures (A, D, E, F, G, H)
    1. Hashes and arrays
    2. Saving data structures
       
15. Objects (A, D, E, F, G, H)
    1. Method invocation
    2. Object construction
    3. Class inheritance
    4. Instance destructors
    5. Managing instance and class data
       
16. Overloading (A, D, E, F, G, H)
    1. Overload handlers
    2. Overloadable operators
    3. Copy constructor
    4. Overloading constants
    5. Inheritance and overloading
       
17. Collaboration (I)
    1. Types of collaborative groups
    2. Techniques
    3. Communication and conflict resolution
    4. Software and media resources for collaboration

METHODS OF PRESENTATION

Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

1. Lectures
   Example: A lecture explains how to use a perl script to process form data to a database or to send through e-mail.
2. Discussion
   Example: Students attach practice scripts to weekly discussion posts and peers help debug problems.
3. Critique and Feedback
   Example: Feedback is provided when individual assignments are graded and submitted back to the student.

ASSIGNMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

Assessment of student performance may include but are not limited to

1. Discussion Assignments (A - H )
   Example:
   • Students attach practice scripts to weekly discussion posts and help debug other students’ problems.
2. Weekly Exercises (A - H )
   Example
   • Students complete exercises implementing the principles in the current week’s readings and lecture.
3. Projects (A - I )
   Examples:
   • Students work collaboratively to enhance an existing web site with Javascript interactivity and Perl scripts to process form data and send it to a database.
4. Final Exam  (A - H)
   50 questions, multiple choice and short answer.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Reading assignments are required and may include but are not limited to

1. JavaScript, Don Gosselin, Course Technology 2nd ed., ©2001
   JavaScript for the World Wide Web, Tom Negrino and Dori Smith, Peachpit Press 4th ed., ©2001
2. Perl Fast & Easy Web Development, Les Bates, Learning Express, ©2002
3. CGI/Perl, Diane Zak, Course Technology, ©2001
4. http://www.echoecho.com/javascript.htm
5. http://www.lies.com/begperl/

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS FOR ONLINE STUDENTS

Adobe Photoshop 7 or above
Adobe Illustrator 10 or above

3.3.2004

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