CIS 195P, PHP Web Programming I

So, you're thinking about taking this course in PHP programming...

Here are some things that may help you make a decision...

This is a course in programming dynamic server-side web pages with the PHP language and object-oriented features in conjunction with HTML, CSS and SQL databases.

You will be asked to work in, on and with new, different and often unsettling processes and tools to improve your skill set. You will be expected to use a variety of source code, text and video information sources in addition to those specifically assigned by the instructor. To that end, I will give you weekly programming projects requiring the use of specific processes, tools, design constraints, language features and PHP library functions and classes. The projects will focus on incrementally developing the pages of an e-commerce web site of increasing complexity. You will also be asked to briefly reflect on your learning experiences in writing for each project. Finally, you will be asked from time-to-time to present your results to the class and to critique the work of fellow students. Additionally, you will be asked to actively participate in peer-tutoring for fellow students via a discussion board as you gain insight and understanding of the course materials.

What you should already know...

• Some experience or training in

  • software design
  • a programming language
  • using a plain vanilla text editor

• Basic knowledge of

  • HTML tags
  • CSS tags
  • database concepts

• Experience installing and configuring software applications.

• A desire to learn by being challenged rather than get an 'A' grade for memorizing the right answers. [ I've rigged the game in your favor! If you submit all projects on time (having made an earnest attempt at each of the requirements) and do reasonably well on the three exams you'll likely earn an 'A' or 'B' grade. ]

Some of the topics we'll be working with...

• ADO library usage
• Algorithm implementation
• Basic algorithms
• Class design, coding and testing
• Data types
• Data validation
• Debugging techniques
• Enumeration
• Exception handling
• Form processing
• Function design, coding and testing
• HTTP client-server interactions
• Incremental development
• Method design, coding and testing
• myPhpAdmin usage
• mySQL database usage
• Object creation
• Object lingua franca
• Object-oriented design
• Object-oriented programming
• Parameter passing
• PEAR library usage
• PHP control structures
• PHP expressions and operators
• PHP library usage
• PHP syntax
• Regular expressions
• Server fundamentals
• Session management
• Shared data and methods
• Simple SQL commands
• UML class, sequence and state diagrams
• Unit testing
• Variable declaration
• XML document headings

Some of the topics we probably won't be working with...

• DreamWeaver
• Flash
• Javascript

If you still have questions, send me an e-mail: thanna@pcc.edu