Assignments

=Assignments=

Mid-Curriculum Review

 * Due Friday, March 5**

Assignment 1. Jump Page

 * Due Wednesday, January 27**

Obtain server space that supports PHP4 or higher and MySQL. A Linux or Unix based server is preferable. Identify the server operating system, the server software (example: Apache, IIS, etc.). Create a jump page meeting the following requirements:

1. Course name and number 2. Instructor name 3. Your name and email address 4. The current date (use PHP to write into page) 5. The web hosting company name and web site address (address should be an active link) 6. The server operating system 7. The server software 8. The //exact// version of PHP and MySQL the server is running 9. A link to a PHP info page with the following: <? phpinfo; ?> 10. Links to all class assignments labeled with the assignments name and due date 11. A design theme of your choosing

Use an external CSS page to format your page and valid XHTML for the page structure. Table-less layout is required.

//Post your link on the class wiki.//

Marking Criteria
· Professional presentation (10) · Usability (10) · Inclusion of requirements (30)
 * Total Points: /50**

Assignment 2. Research Presentation

 * Due Monday, February 8**

Choose one of the below research topics and create a 10 – 15 minute presentation on your topic. Post your presentation files and any additional resources on the class wiki. Be sure to include footnotes on each slide where you quote or reference a source (see [] for examples of how to use MLA style citation). Include a bibliography slide at the end with all sources plus recommended information sources. Format the presentations slides so they are easy to read from the back of a classroom, and visually relate to the subject.

Include links to examples of your topic and resources available for further reading.


 * Topics**

· Compare and contrast two popular Content Management Systems, or provide a detailed description of one (ex: ExpressionEngine) · Code Igniter PHP Framework · Cake PHP Framework · Compare and contrast two popular WYSIWYG text editors (ex: TinyMCE, FCK Editor), or provide a detailed description of one · Dynamic content in Flash using PHP · Using the GD library or ImageMagic to create images on the fly (thumbnails or watermarks) · Creating and reading RSS feeds with PHP · Editing text files with PHP · QuickForm (PEAR Module) · Sending rich email (HTML email) with PHP (PHP Mailer class) · Database Normalization · Ruby on Rails · Scriptaculous or MooTools, and how they might be used in web applications · Ajax working with PHP · A short “how to” on a topic to be discussed with instructor · Propose a topic of your own! Consult the instructor if you have another PHP related topic you would like to use for this project. //As with any research project, the content should be your own and not lifted from a tutorial or other source!//

Marking Criteria
· Professional presentation (25) · Quality of research (40) · Assignment requirements (25) · Quality assurance (10)
 * Total Points: /100 **

Assignment 3. Site Map, Design Comp, and Database Structure for CMS

 * Due Wednesday, February 17**

When creating web applications, it is essential that the structure and scope of the project are clear. Start by creating a traditional site map using Visio or OmniGraffle (Mac) showing the necessary pages for the front-end portion of the site (the side users see) and the content management system. Do not depict process here, just page display.

Map out the necessary tables in your database, their fields, and the data types for each field using Microsoft Word.

Create a design comp showing two key pages in the front-end of your project. If you are building a CMS for an existing site, your design comps should depict 2 pages in the CMS.

Present your work in semantically meaningful, web standards compliant documents. Present each section of this assignment on a separate HTML page with a global navigation system linking them all together.

Marking Criteria
· Site map (40) · Database structure (40) · Design Comp (40) · Presentation and requirements (30)
 * Total Points: /150**

Assignment 4. Content Management System

 * Due Monday, March 22**

Use your planning documents from the previous assignment as the foundation for the creation of a content management system. //You may define your own topic for the site, but be sure it is conducive to the inclusion of the required features//. Your topic should require the use of dynamic content and the posting of files via a content management system. Any change made in the CMS section should be reflected on the front-end of the site.


 * Your web site should meet the following criteria:**

1. Use of PHP and MySQL to create, update, delete, and display dynamic content 2. Use validated web standards with semantic meaning (XHTML and CSS) 3. Have a secure user authentication system with logout feature 4. Allow an administrator to upload files and store a related record in a database 5. Use Object Oriented Programming 6. Use a well organized and logical code structure with clear commenting 7. Use a template system with dynamic headings and status indicators to display pages 8. Dynamic display of the date

Submit your code in a Zip archive, and email it to your instructor. //Please make the username “admin” and password “admin” to get into your CMS.//

Marking Criteria

 * Total Points: /250 **

· Professional presentation (60) · Assignment requirements (70) · Code quality (50) · Quality assurance (40) · Usability (30)

Extra Credit
· Include a style switcher to the front-end of your site and receive up to 1 extra percent (visit the following URL for example: [] )

Because of the depth and breadth of the subject, there are many opportunities to venture further into topics or explore entirely new ones. If you have a specific topic you would like to investigate, please propose it to the instructor for approval.

=HELPFUL WEBSITES=

· http://www.killerphp.com/ · [] · [] · [] · [] · [|http://codeigniter.com/Mid-Curriculum Reviewcdddsdcsdscd]