Module Aims

By the end of module one, students will:

General

• Understand how the internet works and the roles of HTML, CSS, and JS in front end engineering.
• Understand the what, why, and how of code libraries.
• Exhibit comfort using terminal to navigate through directories, adding and moving files
• Demonstrate an ability to research documentation and apply it correctly in their code.

HTML

• Use semantic tags.
• Write well structured markup w/ proper nesting.
• Follow industry style and naming conventions.
• Create forms using correct structure and form elements.
• Craft markup utilizing best practices for accessibility.

CSS

• Understand and leverage cascading styles.
• Know when to use ids and classes, & add multiple classes in markup.
• Write idiomatic css.
• Understand positioning and employ various approaches appropriately.
• Understand and implement responsive layouts.
• Practically apply css animations in user interactions design.
• Understand basic performance issues introduced by CSS and be mindful of those considerations when crafting their CSS.
• Use Dev Tools effectively to debug & read error messages.

Javascript

• Exhibit a solid grasp of syntax, such that syntax does not inhibit student’s progress (the occasional quick reference is fine).
• Use Dev Tools to debug & read error messages, specifically: making use of console to test data and code, isolating and manipulating the HTML and CSS of elements in the DOM.
• Understand scope, and a beginner’s understanding of this binding.
• Strong foundation in accessing data through arrays and objects (In/Out, transform).
• Communicate coding solutions/questions w/ correct terminology.
• Fundamental Code Concepts: variable assignment, functions, arguments/parameters, objects, arrays, data-types, local storage, conditionals/operators, DOM.
• Array prototypes: students know the different methods and use them appropriately in a variety of circumstances.
• Understand how browsers interpret/read code.
• Understand how event bubbling and delegation work, and exhibit that understanding in manipulation of the DOM.

Testing

• Understand the what and why for testing libraries and difference between test runner and assertion library.
• Capable of test driving code with unit tests in mocha/chai.
• Employ cross browser testing regularly throughout development.
• Leverage test failure messages to debug and diagnose issues.

Refactoring

• Refactor large functions into smaller functions.
• Avoid the crutch of global variables.
• Think/Write with an SRP mindset, and employ purposeful naming conventions/naming style in refactoring.
• Lean toward working/functioning first, and not abstracting too early, but can identify opportune times in which to stop and refactor.