Course Description
Credit: J
Hestor/ASU/NASA)
This is an introductory class that outlines the purpose, structure, and
applications of JavaScript for the WWW. It makes extensive use of
examples to explain the elements of the JavaScript language and how it
can be applied to control and enhance WWW pages. It largely avoids
the concepts of Object Oriented Programming which are dealt with in
the followup intermediate class,
R522
Specifically, it discusses the purpose and goals of JavaScript, dispels
some of its myths, and demonstrates the relationship of JavaScript to
HTML, DHTML, Java, JScript, VBscript, and CGI scripts; introduces the
syntax and concepts for major elements of the language, such as classes,
arrays, functions, and the major WWW objects, including the Window and
Document objects; demonstrates program flow and navigation of objects in a
browser; and illustrates these concepts with (1) Forms Verification, (2)
user-controlled animation, (3) navigation and control of browser objects
(Windows, Documents, and other objects), (4) cookies, and (5) animation
and mouse-control of DHTML elements, such as CSS and positioning.
The first part of the class is lecture-style, where the concepts are
introduced and illustrated with small examples. The second part
features (optional) homework assignments along with hands-on
modification of the major examples.
We also provide pointers to additional information, in terms of free
online JavaScript and DHTML tutorials, on-line for-fee courses, and
related C&C and UWired courses.
Note: this class is meant to be viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4
(or above). Other browsers, such as Netscape, will not work for many of
the examples.
What You Will Learn
Major topics covered in this class include the following:
- Client-Side JavaScript
- JavaScript as a Programming Language
- Execution of JavaScript
- 'JavaScript' Document Object Model
- Programming with JavaScript
- Using Cookies in JavaScript
- JavaScript and DHTML
- Homework Assignments
Instructor
Larry Gales
Prerequisites
Knowledge of a modern programming language, such as C,
C++, Perl, Java. Knowledge of programming variables, control
structures, functions or subroutines, is essential, as is a working
knowledge of the WWW and building web pages with HTML.
