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TL;DR

Modern Web Programming (COMP 426)

There is a lot of information in the syllabus. Please enjoy this no-bs summary.

What is this class?

  • This is a class about building things that make the web go.
  • We're going to learn how to do that by doing that.
  • We use an array of languages and tools as needed.

What ISN'T this class?

  • This is not a class about HTML+CSS or JavaScript or any specific language or thing in particular.
  • It's not about one thing.
  • It's about making a bunch of things work together.

I heard this class is super easy?

  • Yah it's super easy if you can follow instructions, read documentation, and Google error messages.
  • It's also easy if you like figuring things out.

I heard this class is super hard?

  • Yeah, it's really, really hard if you hate figuring things out.
  • It's hard if you refuse to follow instructions.
  • It is also really hard if you refuse to read documentation or Google error messages.

Is there an attendance or participation grade

  • LOL no.
  • Seriously nobody has time for that.
  • Just come to class.
  • BUT:
  • If you are sick AT ALL IN ANY WAY, then DO NOT COME TO CLASS IN PERSON.
  • Log into Zoom or watch the sessions later instead.

What are we going to learn about?

  • We will learn some command line sorcery.
  • We will learn to collaborate. Like actually learn the skills necessary.
  • We will learn about open source development and licenses.
  • We will learn to use a bunch of Node.js packages and write a bunch of JavaScript.
  • We will learn to build and use RESTful APIs.
  • We will learn to build front-end interfaces using JS, HTML, and CSS to send and retrieve information to and from an API/back-end, respectively.

What are the assignments?

  • There is a series of individual assignments intended to help you develop the skills necessary for working on your final project assignment.
  • You will work in a team on a final project application that deals with public health information, which you will begin planning in the second week of class.

What about grades?

  • Grading will be done on a scale of 1,000,000 points. Literally.
  • Grading will also be done by robots.
  • You will write some of the instructions for the robots to grade your stuff.
  • Grades are really not the point at all.

Are there exams?

  • Yeah, but they are not really like the exams you are used to.
  • The exams assess familiarity with concepts and are really an assessment of my teaching rather than your ability to memorize things.

What will class be like?

  • Sometimes I will talk about conceptual stuff on slides.
  • Sometimes I will do live demos of things related to your assignments.

How do we do things?

  • We will use GitHub.
  • We will use open source tools.
  • We will work collaboratively.

CTRL+C CTRL+V?

  • Do your own work (but ask for help when you need it).
  • Do original work (but find things that inspire you and build on them).
  • Don't plagiarize existing work (seriously, don't).
  • Reference things that you find useful.
  • Follow the license terms of any code you adapt and identify where it comes from.

*sigh* Everything is a lot right now. Will it ever get better?

  • Mental health and general well-being are important.
  • We can't learn anything if we are beset at all sides by stress.
  • We have to take care of ourselves and each other or we are nowhere.
  • Be kind to one another and the instructional staff.
  • The instructional staff will be kind to you and we'll all learn some interesting stuff this semester.

WTF is with the dinosaur thing?

  • Figure it out.

I thought the course was about something else entirely and I'm mad about it!

  • Oh no... I don't care.
  • It's SUPER DUPER EASY to drop this class if you don't like it.

RETURN TO MAIN SYLLABUS PAGE