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Course for Website Design at SFU??
Hey, does anyone know if we have any course at SFU burnaby (or surrey) for website design that involves using either php or java or asp.net scripting languages.
I took cmpt 165, which did a little bit of scripting using python, but a total waste of time.. didn't learn nearly enough to actually use it!
So any suggestions?
btw, this is just to get some extra knowledge, not a required course.
thanks!
I took cmpt 165, which did a little bit of scripting using python, but a total waste of time.. didn't learn nearly enough to actually use it!
So any suggestions?
btw, this is just to get some extra knowledge, not a required course.
thanks!
Comments
but keep in mind ur expected to learn on ur own... the lectures DO NOT teach php, python, js, asp, etc.
lectures cover simple things like css and xhtml
there are usually 3 individual projects and one big group project a technology demo and a few other presentations
the workload is pretty heavy esp if ur working with the latest languages and frameworks
that said i think its one of the most useful classes ive taken so far
and i prefer python over php any day because of its syntax
The class is usually taught by one of two profs: Greg Baker or Anthony Chan
but no matter who teaches it the assignments/projects are the same.
three individual assignments:
1. make a small website 3-4pages using xhtml (strict 1.0) and css
- this tests/teaches you basic skills
- most of the class will have decent websites some will be crap and some will be simply amazing.
2. make a atom fee reader
- this assignment is designed mainly to piss you off =P you will find yourself going back and editing your code over and over to handle all the little retarded special cases
3. make a contact manager
- this assignment *should* be easy given its due after the technology demonstrations so you should know a whole lot more about some sort of framework to help you do it
- again some will turn out nice and some will be amazing using ajax and other cool tech
the individual assignments run concurrent with everything else in the class
so right around assignment 2 you have a group technology evaluation. you pick a technology (language, framework, etc.) and you do a presentation to the class and a written report that includes things like a comparison to other similar tech. this presentation is group based so the work load isnt too bad, but it does require you to learn the technology. furthermore, you are required to make a website to demonstrate 4-5 examples using that technology. each example being more difficult than the previous.
running concurrent with all that is your main project.
the main project will have a proposal (small marketing presentation to class to "sell" your idea and "get interest/funding")
after which comes a checkpoint presentation about 1/2 way through or 3/4 way through. (presentation to class to show how far you've come and how closely you meet the deadlines set during the proposal presentation)
there will then be a poster session at the end of semester (held in the ASB outside CSIL for everyone to come see your final work) and a few days after the "final implementation" which means submitting your code. any modifications to SVN or ur server after this point is considered late
there are no midterms or finals for the class, but as u can see there are essentially 3sets of hw/projects running concurrently so there is something due almost every week. if you don't have much experience in web development it can seem overwhelming at times, but its more then fair and manageable. there are tons of resources on the web to help students learn the materials so there is no excuse for not finishing an assignment or project.. its all about good time management
as for comparison to 275. as u can see 275 only has one project running throughout the year. 470 has a few more things going on. furthermore the focus on 275 is to teach you how to manage your time well and how to organize your group, meetings etc. none of that is really discussed in 470 but i can tell u from exp all the groups that did well did apply what they learned from 275
advice from me to people taking this class is to always have a good means of communicating with your group members when you develop (ventrilo, teamspeak, mumble, etc.). try to schedule development so there is always more then one person working on it at a time. this will be kinda like extreme programming and will make development far more efficient as they can bounce ideas off one another.
oh and if you understand the basics of html and css lecture is pretty much pointless... unless the ones where you cover examples in class about other websites or dev problems... those are semi interesting/useful
EDIT: oh and remember this class tends to be highly competitive between individuals on the projects and between the groups, i felt this aspect helps with motivation in the class and makes your group just go that extra bit and make ur project that much better :)
if u have knowledge in web dev, this class will be an ezy gpa booster as everything described above will be a breeze