1. Tools, Installation, etc
A developer, just like any other craftsman, must possess
the proper tools to be able to do a good job in his
profession. The tools are for a web developer all the
following, for a multi media designer those
categorized as frontend:
-
Frontend
-
HTML
- HyperText Markup Language.
The coding language in which
web pages are written. You must know this language. As
a tool it is built into any web browser. HTML apart from the markup contains the content
of the web pages.
-
CSS
- Cascading Style Sheets.
The coding language in which the
presentation, the looks of
web pages are written. You must know this language. As
a tool it is built into any web browser. Just like HTML.
CSS is also built into any web browser.
-
JavaScript
-
JavaScript is the frontend programming language. This means a programming language that resides
in any web browser. JavaScript provide the decentralised dynamic
aspects of the web pages. This concludes the parts of the web
developer tools that are also present in any web user's
computer anywhere on the internet.
The HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript are all in your
browser. We say that the browser is the platform
for those tools. No extra tools must be included
for the frontend.
-
Backend
-
JavaScript
-
JavaScript again? Yes, JavaScript has the ability to
work on the server as well as in the
browser, ie as backend programming language.
- Node.js
- “
Node.js is an open-source,
cross-platform JavaScript run-time
environment that executes JavaScript code
outside of a browser.
”. This essentially means
serverside JavaScript.
-
DBMS
- Database Management System.
This is a software package that, when installed and running,
represents the database server.
-
SQL
- Structured Query Language.
The programming language for manipulating databases if the DBMS is relational.
-
NoSQL
- Not Only SQL.
An alternative to relational databases.
We use MongoDB. Manipulating MongoDB
databases is done with JavaScript functions.
- General Developer's Tools
-
Web server
-
A web server is a software package that
receives requests for web pages from clients,
most often web browsers. The web server
sends a response to the requests with text,
normally in the form of HTML5 to the
client. The text may reside as a file on
the server, or
it may be generated in real time on the
server by a backend programming language.
A running web server is considered a
must for any web developer.
Thoughh much HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript
works without a server when dropped into
a browser, some doesn't, and for that
we need to serve pages by a web server.
-
Terminal
-
Any developer must have a minimal command
of the terminal program of her operating system. The terminal provides what is called
the CLI, Command Line Interface, to your
development activities.
-
Editor
-
You need a development environment.
This may be in the shape of a full IDE,
Integrated Development Environment, or it may be
"just an editor." We use Sublime 3, Geany,
vim.
-
DBMS client
-
The database may be manipulated via a CLI.
If you prefer you may find a GUI that will
help you do the same.
- Browser
- You have it - I think.
- Version Control Software
-
We use git, and we use
it primarily from the CLI. This
software supports maintenance of
several versions of your software, and
importantly, supports devlopment teams from
a single person to thousands, seamlessly.
With remote repositories it also doubles as
a backup system for your source code.
In addition we use git
for handing in assignments.
All computers today come with browser software
as part of the package. This means you have the frontend
tools provided already.
The remaining tools are all in the realm of
FOSS, Free and Open Source Software.
In Appendix B of this material,
you will find installation instructions for
the necessary software.