Introduction to Javascript

Course Outline

This practical course provides the skills necessary to enable web developers to be confident in adding JavaScript functionality to their web sites.

The use of JavaScript can enhance a web site visitor’s experience by providing dynamic interactions within their web browser. This can range from validating form input to adding collapsible page outlines, rollover images and embedded Google Maps, to name but a few possibilities.

Although it is possible just to download and modify other people’s scripts, having a solid understanding of the JavaScript language puts you in control and enables you to produce a powerful and reliable client experience.

Delegates can also gain professional qualification credits towards a 60 credit University Certificate of Professional Development or degree from De Montfort University.

This module is worth 15 UCPD credits.

Overview

The course covers the following areas :

• What is JavaScript?
  • What it does
  • A bit of history
  • Browser compatibility
• JavaScript basics
  • Syntax
  • Variables
  • Operators
  • Statements
  • Functions
• Writing JavaScript
  • Using the <script/> tag
  • Using external files
• Working with JavaScript objects
  • Objects basics
  • Built-in objects such as strings, arrays, dates, etc.
  • The Browser Object Model
  • The Document Object Model
• Using third party objects
  • Including the Google Maps API
• Creating your own objects
  • Writing classes
  • Class properties, methods and events
• Using regular expressions for pattern matching
  • General theory
  • Use in form validation
• Coping with differences between browsers
  • Browser detection
  • Feature detection
• Events and event handlers
  • How events work
  • Ways of creating event handlers
• Working with forms
  • More client side form validation
  • Dynamic forms
• XML
  • Reading XML documents
  • Using AJAX to communicate with a web server
• Error handling and debugging

Who is it aimed at?

Individuals and business staff who want to learn to use JavaScript in their web sites. This course is aimed at aspiring web site programmers rather than those who want a quick route to adding some web page interaction and is inevitably fairly technical.

The course is particularly suitable for those who have done the Introduction to PHP Programming and Introduction to MySQL Databases courses as it will enable them to add client side interaction and form validation to their applications. However, knowledge of these technologies is not required.

Entry requirements

There are no specific requirements for this course, although you should be familiar with creating web pages using HTML and CSS and should be comfortable with tackling technical subjects.

Delivery method

The course is a 5 day fully trainer led course. To help reduce the effect on your business of losing a member of staff for 5 days, this course runs 1 day a week over 5 weeks. Delegates then have the time needed to absorb and implement the information gained during these intensive training days.

Assessment

Delegates can also gain professional qualification credits towards a University Certificate of Professional Development or degree from De Montfort University. Assessment will be based on delegates completing an individual project to enhance a new or existing web site using JavaScript.

Student Support

These links provide students with a whole range of study skills and support materials to help you gain your UCPD qualification and successfully complete your coursework.

• The Ask Gateway to DMU study resources
• DMU Focus On Study Skills
• DMU Study Skills