Course Structure

 

 

Introduction

In the first week, we will go through the compulsory literature: the book by Larry Ullman. In the mornings, from 11.00 to 13.00 there will be a lecture and some room for questions. This will take place in room A1.22 in the main faculty building (TS53). Please make sure to read the examination rules carefully, especially if you do not attend the first lecture. Attending lectures is highly recommended but not compulsory. Note that each day you should make some exercises in the first week and work on a bigger project in the second week. Please also note that it is required to work on a regular basis on your exercises in the first week and on the project in the second week. You should also use our server to upload and to test your code. Please read examination rules carrefully on this issue.

Next to the lectures, every student can register for a session in the University Library computer room for 2 hours per day. (Room 0224 at the UL (GL17) in most cases, on Wednesday in the second week we will use room E0.03 in the main faculty building (TS53))

During these sessions and if students are registered for that session staff will be present in the room to give help and to answer questions. It is however expected that students also provide help among themselves since there is almost no better way to learn a programming language by helping out other people. Finally, we have setup a message board (forum) on which you can post questions and answers. Again, it is expected that also students provide answers. Of course, the staff will also be active in the message board.

Next to working in the library computer rooms it is fairly possible to work at other locations. You basically need a computer with an internet connection through VPN*. So it is also possible to follow this course at remote distance. Note however that, on average, this course demands quit some input from students, depending of course on your pre knowledge about html and programming. (This course is intended as an introduction into programming so less suited --but not forbidden-- for students who already have programming knowledge)

*Note that Internet connections in some guesthouses are already part of the unimaas domain and VPN is not needed in that case (and even doesn't work).

Lecture on Monday, January 11, 2010

Introduction of the course

  • Goal of the skills training
  • How the examination works
  • Structure of the course
  • What server are we going to use
  • How to upload/download files
  • How to use the message board
  • Introduction to PHP, what is a programming language
  • Brief introduction to HTML
  • Overview of Chapters 1 and 2

Lecture on Tuesday, January 12, 2010

  • Treatment of Chapters 3, 4 and 5
  • Questions and answers on previous chapters (if time left)

Lecture on Wednesday, January 13, 2010

  • Treatment of Chapters 6, 7, 8 and the beginning of 10 (we will skip chapter 9)
  • Questions and answers on previous chapters (if time left)

Lecture on Thursday, January 14, 2010

  • Treatment of Chapter 10 and 12 (we skip 11)
  • Questions and answers on previous chapters (if time left)

Lecture on Friday, January 15, 2010

  • Treatment of rest of Chapter 12
  • Treatment of an example: PHP and databases
  • Brief presentation of the projects
  • Questions and answers on previous chapters (if time left)