This is Platt’s Programming for Designers (WIP 400) course and I am happy to be teaching you the concepts of programming dynamically with server side languages.
PHP compiles its code on the server and then serves it up to your browser. This allows us access to the powerful things the server can do for us including accessing databases to store data for membership sites, blogs and e-commerce.
MySQL is one of several structured query languages and often goes hand in hand with PHP. While they are not the same language, PHP has a lot of built in functions that allow us to utilize MySQL very well. With MySQL we can store data and PHP can retrieve that data for us, as well as manipulate and change that data as we need to on a given page. With AJAX it becomes even more powerful because we can update the page without refreshing due to JavaScript’s ability to manipulate the Document Object Model.
This is how websites like Facebook and Twitter work. They access a database at a set interval, determine if there are new posts or tweets for you to see, and then update your browser with new information without you having to refresh the page. While we won’t go as far as to make the next Facebook, by the end of this class you will be able to recognize and understand these concepts at work all over the web.
Even if you don’t want to learn how to program, the concepts and language taught in the class will help you better communicate your needs on the front facing side of web development, to those doing the programming.
Syllabus
Term 6 – WIP 400
Contact Info: See Trish’s Info in sidebar
Office Hours: by Appointment
Class Website: http://programming.trishladd.com
Units: 5.00 (100 hours)
Books: “PHP For the Web” by Larry Ullman (Fourth Edition)
Description: This course serves as an introduction to PHP and a continuation of learning about server side languages, how they compile code before going to the browser to be served up as HTML and rendered by the browser. There will be continued examples of how compiling code allows for conditional statements, information from databases and custom loops to define what content is shown on each page, making each page potentially unique and dynamic. This will include an introduction to MySQL and conceptually Structured Query Languages as a whole.
Instruction Methods: Lectures, demonstrations, “Code Challenges”, research, flowscreens and student presentations.
Course Objectives: To equip students with a fundamental understanding of how dynamic server languages work, how databases function, and how these two things are integrated together. At the completion of this course, students should be able to recognize a dynamic website when they see one, and know when the creation of one is called for in future projects.
Accommodations: Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor on or before the second day of class, so accommodations ca be made as soon as possible. Platt is committed to do everything possible to make all reasonable accommodations.
Attendance: As a common and professional courtesy, please advice me in advance when you will miss a class. Please email me if you will be either late or missing the class for any reason. You are allowed a MAXIMUM of three days worth (or 12 hours) of absences. Any more than that and you are in danger of being dropped unless you make this time up. This includes time that you are tardy and especially when you leave early without talking to me first. Each absence and tardy affect your grade. Attendance will also be considered greatly in terms of class participation grading. Students are responsible for obtaining any and all missed materials in case of an absence. There will be materials available at the end of each class and posted in the resource page of this site. Absences may be able to be made up at instructor discretion.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of presenting work – either written or spoken – that is not your own. This includes, but is not limited to cheating on exams, not properly citing others’ work, or using someone else’s work. Platt College and I will not tolerate plagiarism of any sort and the penalty will be automatic failure of this course and potential dismissal from the college.
Participation: Your discussion and participation in class will be assessed according to these categories:
A – Exemplary (90-100%)
- Participates regularly and actively and contributes in ways that help build community
- Uses specific examples to support ideas and invite further discussion
- Contributions are relevant and demonstrate a thorough understanding and reflection regarding the concepts being presented
B – Accomplished (80-89%)
- Participates regularly and actively
- Uses specific examples to support ideas and suggestions
- Contributions are relevant and demonstrate a thorough understanding regarding the concepts being presented
C – Competent (70-79%)
- Participates regularly but not as active in contributing
- Communicates ideas, opinions, and conclusions clearly and completely
- Uses specific examples to support these ideas
D – Developing (60-69%)
- Does not participate regularly or actively contribute
- Communicates ideas but fails to provide examples to support his or her ideas
- Contribution does not demonstrate an understanding of the concepts being presented
F – Does not participate (<60%)
- Hostile, indifferent or hinders the discussion
- Limits the ability to submit a final and representative response
Classroom Behavior: All persons within the classroom will be treated fairly, professionally and with respect. Verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. If these expectations are violated, the violator will be appropriately disciplined, which may include: a verbal warning, class suspension expulsion from class and potentially expulsion from the college.
Assignment/Project Grading Policy: All assignments need to be turned in when they are due. If they are one day (actual day – including weekends, not class day) late they will be downgraded one full grade from what you would have received had you turned it in on time. There are no exceptions to this. Any assignment or project later than one day late will not be accepted and you will get a 0. You are responsible for knowing what is to be expected for each of your assignments and what is expected for your final project. You are also expected to know when these are due. I should not need to remind you. If you have questions about what I expect based upon the descriptions and information posted on the website, I will happily answer your questions. Please read the documentation and check the calendar before asking.
Platt Grading Scale:
A 90% – 100%
B 80% – 89%
C 70% – 79%
D 60% – 69%
F Below 60%
Grade Breakdown:
Attendance: 10%
Participation: 15%
Code Challenges: 10%
Exams: 20%
Milestones: 12%
Final Project and Presentation: 33%