What We've Learned So Far

COIN 71 - What We've Learned So Far - Winter 2011

(student responses as of 2/14/11)

7) Separating data and code into the smallest, useful modular components gives you immense flexibility
6) Writing comments for every function helps to clarify whether it is, in fact, properly functioning
5) You need a pretty good reason to use a global variable
4) Libraries are a great idea
3) To organize my data and functions using object constructors
2) Databases are the backbone of the web; learn more about them
1) I love this stuff

1. Practice with JavaScript closures and code organization in JavaScript.
2. json and that it's not scary anymore.
3. More about usability.
4. Realizing that to modify the DOM in JavaScript, you can get by with a handful of available JavaScript functions.
5. Debugging code in different browsers by 'Inspect Element' feature and viewing the Console messages.
6. Learned that if you try to modify the :class attribute, your code won't work as expected in Safari but works in Chrome and Firefox. You should modify :className attribute instead to get it to work across those three browsers. I didn't even attempt to get it to work in IE though.
7. Google Maps API
8. Use GDownloadURL() and the JQuery .get and .post functions for making AJAX requests. The worldquery.php servlet only accepts a Post request, not Get, for example.
9. More practice writing DRY code
10. Parsing JSON and XML
11. More solid practice with JQuery
12. Writing code in pure JavaScript and translating that to JQuery or vice-versa.
13. More practice with CSS

1. Good javascript writing styles
2. What is json and how to write a json file to store the data
3. Get more familiar with DOM API by practice
4. Display UI on the run using javascript / DOM
5. Use GDownloadURL() to send a request to, and handle the response from, the server
6. Make a drop down list with dynamic data
7. Practice more with JavaScript Strings and Arrays
8. Use GDownloadUrl() to retrieve XML data from the server (or JSON)
9. Parse an XML file, or a JSON file, using the DOM API
10. How to load a map using Google Maps API

1. Introduction to the world of Javascript libraries such as jQuery, Dojo, YUI and so on.
2. Introduction to all the wonderful goodies hosted on Google: maps, translate, jQuery, visualization, apps, etc,.
3. CSS Basics
4. Review of Javascript objects and functions

1. My JavaScript skills are totally inadequate.
2. My ability to get an A, and my ability to understand and integrate and USE what I have learned, are not the same thing!
3. There is something to learn even if one doesn't succeed.
4. Keep trying, a thousand different ways, and then stop trying and give it a rest.
5. Video is an important way to learn.
6. Seeing and doing, more than reading and listening, is what works for me.
7. Value the input of the ones who race ahead - just "shelve" those discussions until I catch up!
8. It's ok to ask the teacher for help, and it's ok to be "late" with assignments. The important thing is to simply keep doing what needs to be done.
9. Do just one thing at a time.
10. The sharing of code has been helpful.
11. Not-understanding is a hard place to be - but at least it means I'm moving along the path of knowledge...

1. I learned how to manipulate the dom and have almost no html code.
2. I learned how to "rewrite" existing nodes
3. Learned what json is, how to use it and what it is for
4. I learned how to parse xml with javaScript
5. I learned how to use the google maps API key and GDownloadURL
6. I learned how to use jquery's $get also
7. I also learned that I actually like javaScript (after all of the hard work and extra research, I feel really good and amazed with what I accomplished).

Using JavaScript to create DOM elements.
How to manage .html and .js files and test them, not to mention .css files.
How to use FF Tools - Error Console to debug programs.
How to use jslint.com - placing .js file inside - and not getting "too hurt" when bad results happen.
How to modify DOM with document.getElementByID and ElementsByTag Name.
How to manage childNodes and parentNode.
Understanding the element.attribute (Safari vs FF).
How to handle hover and pop-ups with grace and style.
How to use function GDownloadUrl - deprecated, but works !
How to navigate Google Maps / API documentation.
XHR (XMLHttpRequest) Object to request server data, and get it on a live webpage!
Comprehending XSS. Given what Cross-site scripting is, I'll probably NEVER enable ActiveX !
Using XML...or JSON format and parsing. Good review of Use of "eval( )".
Web Application Architecture, client/server "dichotomy"... responsiveness (where to put code).
Relational Databases - Oh, that's why I took the database course. Now it's meaningful!
URL of worldquery.php servlet and callback function.
More practice writing DRY code [don't repeat yourself].
Some practice with JQuery.
A bit about User Interface Design.
Program Guidelines that make sense.
How to SURVIVE when your PC "dies" [likely virus despite AVG] in week 4, the EMC Retrospect regular "backups" won't run, and you need to install the Original Toshiba Recovery and Applications DVDs, which leaves the computer in the well-known state of "Hello World".

1. It will take a while until I master the A in AJAX ....

1. The concept behind AJAX. The Asynchronous nature of calling in a callback when data is ready. The JavaScript that manipulates the DOM without refreshing the HTML page. The XML behind it, yeah you could use JSON for it but I just too busy to learn JSON now. Anyway, I have learned a great deal in writing XML for the assignments.
2. UI design. Learned a bit of that in the assignments.
3. I learned a lot from fellow classmates and teacher. I wanted to learn the fundamentals of AJAX and hopefully I can be proficient in using AJAX Frameworks to design and build web applications. My dream would be able to get paid by building web applications in the future.

1. Using Ajax
2. Dynamic javascript
3. Data extraction from XML and Json files

1. Ajax
. Is asynchronous programming style driven by event.
. Total design of web site from Client site to Server Site.
. How to debug JS and check syntax errors
. How to pass arguments to an event callback function
. Programming using less global variables.
. JS is a scripting language but it can do more than that as a language for developing applications.

2. DOM
. Use DOM for dynamic web pages and HTML for static ones.
. Create button, input text for user input.
. Create p, div for output to user.
. For easy programming use/create/collect reuse functions

3. XML
. XML is a superset of HTML
. XML is a good data file standard format for data input/output
. Use XML instead of coding so that non-programmer can change it easily.
. Use XML instead of JSON so that non-programmer can change it easily.
. Place an XMLHttpRequest to the database.
. Read an XML file using JQuery and/or GDownloadUrl()
. Parse XML into an array

1. Event-driven programming and asynchronous programming.
2. Dynamic creation of buttons and drop-down menus from external data.
3. Adding and replacing nodes in HTML, as well as modifying attributes and even CSS styles.
4. Using Javascript to manipulate the DOM so that the HTML page does not have to be refreshed.
5. Using XML for storing and updating data. Writing programs so that the XML data is utilized even when changed later.
6. Incorporating JSON files to hold data makes for easy utilization of arrays, keeping data and code separated.
7. Use global variables cautiously and with good reason.
8. Javascript is a richer language than I initially thought, in that one is able to use an object-oriented approach and the use of and creation of libraries makes for fast development of applications.
9. I have really enjoyed working on the same program two weeks in a row, building on the initial program to add more functionality. It has made me realize and appreciate the need for documentation. Sometimes it is hard to come back to a program and remember what’s going on - documentation helps!
10. When it comes to programming, get ahead and stay ahead. Starting early makes for less stress later.

1. Creating/organizing/parsing data in JSON and XML files
2. Navigating the DOM; adding and replacing nodes
3. Debugging using the error console and firebug
4. Writing/testing small chunks of code a bit at a time
5. DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself) programming concept
6. The value of using global variables sparingly
7. Event-driven programming
8. Asynchronous concept
9. Dynamically creating drop-down menus and lists
10. Using the XMLHttpRequest object
11. Using GDownloadURL() and the Google Maps API
12. User Interface design concepts

1. Applying concept of class to code in Javascript
2. Manipulating xml or json file, so I can change content through external files without changing the code
3. Sending query to database and reading the search result

1. First there’s the obvious and expected stuff:

The DOM structure and how to manipulate it with JavaScript
How to fetch data from the server for populating or modifying a web page
How to parse XML and JSON data on the client and do something with it
Extended my previously limited JavaScript skills
Google Maps API (at least part of it). It was much easier than I would have guessed.

2. Then there the less obvious and unexpected stuff:

Various tips, tricks, and insights from my classmates from the online discussions
Found various web sites for more in-depth information, some on my own and some from the online discussions.
Learned the existence of and how to use the jQuery API. It’s really cool.
Web Developer Toolbar, although I haven’t used it too much yet.
Use Google to search for answers to issues, how-to’s, and sample code.

1. How to process XML and JSON easily.
2. How to generate a number elements via Javascript. I certainly don't see doing it the way this class does (i.e. nothing displays without Javascript) because of the accessibility issues, but I read somewhere in the notes that we weren't trying to be accessible.
3. To use the Google API for something other than displaying map points.
4. How to do an SQL query with AJAX.
5. The latest method of sending a request.
6. To think more about and create code that can possibly be reused.
7. Not to get sick the week of the midterm.

1. Javascript,
2. DOM manipulation,
3. Event handling,
4. XMLHttpRequest,
5. JSON,
6. Google APIs,
7. SQL and
8. a little PHP
9. I am pleased to have been able to get the world.sql database installed and working on my own server with mysql.

1. Google APIs.
2. Working with DOM. (Forget about innerHTML and trying to manipulate everything manually)
3. Write small reusable functions to manipulate the DOM.
3. Communication of front end web app with backend (php and MySQL).
4. How to parse XML and JSON
5. Chance to work on real live projects with real life issues.
6. Chance to use popular APIs and frameworks.
7. Understanding that modern Javascript developers shouldn't "re-invent the wheel" and write everything from scratch on plain classic Javascript. Instead, use popular frameworks and APIs to create more exciting projects and get more acclaim as an engineer.

1. How to write cleaner code.
2. How to write a description of each function.
3. How to use the function GDownloadUrl()
4. How to use JSLint
5. How to use a Servlet
6. Implementation of Google Maps API version 3
7. Improved implementation and selection of the DOM elements
8. Improved writing for loops
9. More MySQL query practice
10. Improved staying focused during moments of Coding Frustration. :)
11. That I enjoy Javascript / Ajax because it is challenging.

1. Event-driven programming and asynchronous programming.
2. Dynamic creation of buttons and drop-down menus from external data.
3. Adding and replacing nodes in HTML, as well as modifying attributes and even CSS styles.
4. Using Javascript to manipulate the DOM so that the HTML page does not have to be refreshed.
5. Using XML for storing and updating data.
6. Incorporating JSON files to hold data makes for easy utilization of arrays, keeping data and code separated.
7. Use global variables cautiously and with good reason.
8. Javascript is a richer language than I initially thought, in that one is able to use an object-oriented approach and the use of and creation of libraries makes for fast development of applications.
9. I have really enjoyed working on the same program two weeks in a row, building on the initial program to add more functionality. It has made me realize and appreciate the need for documentation. Sometimes it is hard to come back to a program and remember what’s going on - documentation helps!
10. When it comes to programming, get ahead and stay ahead. Starting early makes for less stress later.
11. This is the first class that is allowing me to assemble all these different tools into fully functional systems.
12. Writing programs so that the XML data is utilized even when changed later.

1. I need to slow down and read the specifications of the assignment. Most of the javascript is easy for me as I have experience as a Front End Engineer, but I have gotten dinged by not reading the specifications thoroughly as I just hurried though the assignment
2. Don't take liberties with the design flow, just follow the assignment and make my program to the spec of the assignment.
3. This class has been a great review for me. I have been reminded on how to manipulate the DOM without a framework
4. This class has been a reminder on how sometimes it can be a pain in the butt to manipulate the DOM without a framework ;)
5. Learning about how XmlHttpRequest works under the hood. I used the opensourced version of GDownload URL http://gmaps-samples-v3.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/xmlparsing/util.js
6. Most browsers have a modern JSON.parse() method and JSON.stringify() to convert back to json string
7. Why it would be better to use JSON.parse than eval'ing a JSON string
8. Why people like to say using eval is bad
9.The difference between a JSON Object/Literal Object and a JSON string
10.) Relying on source control has made me lazy. I like to work locally, and its been a while since I have just had to copy files to a server. This led to more mistakes as for one assignment I copied a previous assignemnts framework and forgot to change some comments and method names. So again I need to work slower.

Compiled and Edited by Martha, Winter 2011