Course Description

JavaScript is a programming language used within a web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, etc.) to create truly interactive web applications. It is currently the most widely used programming language on the web. There has been such a recent influx of JavaScript talk on the web today that it is the perfect starting point for people to get started in the world of web programming. In this class, you will learn the basics the JavaScript language starting with the history of the language, declaring variables and data types, learning about conditional statements (if, else, switch), using object (arrays, string, math, date) and interacting with the browser (window, screen, images, and forms). You will also be able to ask questions concerning other web-related topics as well. And as always, have FUN!!! This is a 6 week, self-paced, online course. If you need additional help understanding the material presented, you can communicate with the instructor and fellow classmates. The instructor will monitor and track your progress throughout the class. LVS Online offers many wonderful learning tools to help you get the most out of your online course, including an online portfolio service that manages all your course registrations, certificate of completion option, a class discussion board to interact with your instructor and fellow classmates, free hosting account, and a student upload area. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

Must have Internet Explorer 6 or higher or another web browser that supports JavaScripts. Homework must be reviewed by the instructor in order to earn a certificate. Students have the option of using a free web hosting account or a student hosting account made available for LVS students. Details are provided in the classroom. Students should have working knowledge of their operating system and must understand directories and paths: Free Windows Class Here Directory Structure Tutorial Here Zip files may be necessary to complete the exercises provided each week. WinZip, PKZip, Windows Compression or similar program is required to unzip these files. Winzip Tutorial Here Windows Compression These tutorials will show you how to crop and resize images that you want to place on your homework pages: Resize Images for the Web using Irfanview, a Freeware program *Mac* Resize Images for the Web using Goldberg 2.3, a Freeware program All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons. Plan to devote 3 - 4 hours per week on the lesson and assignment.

Course Prerequisites

Class Level - This is an introductory course which assumes prior HTML/XHTML knowledge. If you don't have HTML knowledge, enroll in the Build Your Website Level I class first.

Course Syllabus

Coming Soon! Lesson 1 What is JavaScript? History Creaing your first script Declaring and using variables Lesson 2 String manipulation (concatenation) Arithmetic calculations Alert() and Prompt() functions Creating and using Arrays Conditional statements: If..else and switch Lesson 3 Loop statements (for and while) loops: watch out for infinite loops Creating and using your own functions Understanding Variable scope Lesson 4 What are objects? Properties and Methods Using JavaScript Native Objects: Math, Array, String and Date Lesson 5 Programming the Browser What is the BOM? Objects: document, screen, forms, images and links How to interact with elements on a web page Lesson 6 Wrap up Script review: Image roller and Form validation JavaScript Common Mistakes Validating your JavaScript JavaScript libraries (.js) onload Event

Course Excerpt

LESSON 1 Overview In this class, you will learn what the JavaScript language is, how it can be used, look at useful examples, and the essentials to give you a solid understanding of the JavaScript language. Audience for this Class This class is considered a beginner" level class, therefore, I will assume no knowledge of any type of programming skill. I will assume you have some basic understanding of HTML/XHTML. You do need to know HTML/XHTML to take this class, but it would be helpful in your learning because all the coding examples are used within HTML pages (.html). If you need a little extra help with learning XHTML please let me know and I will explain any code that is used in the lessons and examples. LVS has a Build Your Website series that teaches XHTML and CSS. Tools Needed There is no specific tool to develop in JavaScript so you can use any free text or web editor like Notepad++ or HTML-Kit or Komodo Edit or commercial products like Adobe Dreamweaver or Microsoft Web Expression. History of JavaScript Brendan Eich, who started working for Netscape in 1995, began developing a scripting language called LiveScript for the release of Netscape Navigator 2 in late 1995, with the intention of using it both in the browser and on the server (where it was to be called LiveWire). Netscape entered into a development alliance with Sun Microsystems to complete the implementation of LiveScript in time for release. A complete JavaScript implementation is made up of the following three distinct parts: 1. The Core language (ECMAScript) 2. The Document Object Model (DOM) 3. The Browser Object Model (BOM) ECMAScript ECMAScript, the language defined in ECMA - 262, isn't tied to web browsers. In fact, the language has no methods for input or output whatsoever. ECMA - 262 defines this language as a base upon which more - robust scripting languages may be built. Web browsers are just one host environment in which an ECMAScript implementation may exist. A host environment provides the base implementation of ECMAScript as well as extensions to the language designed to interface with the environment itself. ECMAScript is simply a description of a language implementing all of the facets ascribed in the specification. Other scripting languages such as ActionScript 3.0 for Adobe Flash are based on ECMAScript. The five major web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Opera) all comply with the third edition of ECMA - 262. The Document Object Model (DOM) The Document Object Model (DOM) is an application programming interface (API) for XML that was extended for use in HTML. The DOM maps out an entire page as a hierarchy of nodes. Each part of an HTML or XML page is a type of a node containing different kinds of data. By creating a tree to represent a document, the DOM allows developers an unprecedented level of control over its content and structure. Nodes can be removed, added, replaced, and modified easily by using the DOM API. With the DOM, developers can alter the appearance and content of a web page without reloading it (i.e. the beginning of Ajax). Continued... Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

At the end of this class you will have experience using a programming language and understand how to use JavaScript to manipulate data on a web page. You will also be prepared to further your JavaScript and programming skills by taking the JavaScript Intermediate: Unobtrusive Programming class.

Course Reviews

New class May 2009