Description
This is an introductory course on web server side programming using PHP
and MySQL.
This course covers basic PHP programming elements including variables, strings, arrays,
files and forms processing. It covers MySQL database basics and how to create a database
driven web application. This course may be offered via distance learning. Pass/No Pass
Option.
Dates and times
- August 31 to December 19, 2015
- Mandatory lab sessions on Thursday evenings, 6:30–9:40 pm
- Classroom: Gillmor Center Room 202
- Office hours will be 6:00–6:30 pm in GC 114
Instructor
Mark Brautigam
I prefer contact via email at markb@mixed-up.com
Mission College email is
mark.brautigam@wvm.edu, but I don't check
it very often.
Cell phone is 408-209-9641.
Office hours will be 6:00–6:30 pm in GC 114.
Class Objectives
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use the PHP programming language to
create applications.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to use MySQL as a back end database for
web applications.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to create a database driven web
application with PHP and MySQL.
Required Book
PHP Programming with MySQL, 2nd edition, 2010.
Don Gosselin, Course Technology. ISBN 0-538-74584-3
All the course exercises and assignments are in this book. It is not possible to
pass this course without access to the textbook. It is an excellent book for learning
PHP and MySQL, but after the class is over, you will probably want to obtain a
better reference book.
I will try to make a copy of this book available in the Mission College Library
reference section. You won't be able to take the book home.
It is possible to rent this book, and I suggest you do so if you find it
expensive.
Software
You will need 4 important pieces of software for this class.
- WAMP or MAMP. This is the Apache web server, MySQL database, and PHP
interpreter, with one easy installer. The WAMP version is for Windows, and the
MAMP version is for Mac.
- FTP software for uploading your projects to the Mission College
PHP server. FileZilla is a good choice that runs on both Mac and Windows,
and it is free.
WinSCP is a good Windows-only choice. Fetch is an excellent Mac
FTP client, but it does cost money. It is possible to get an educational
discount.
- Telnet software for logging in to the Mission College MySQL server
and executing commands. PuTTY is a good choice for Windows. The Mac's
built-in Terminal program works well for this purpose.
- A text editor for typing in the HTML, MySQL, and PHP programs.
The most important feature in a text editor is that it be able to save
raw text files. For this reason,
Microsoft Word and WordPad
are not good choices. NotePad on Windows is a slightly
better choice, but
it is pretty rudimentary. A much better choice is the free NotePad++.
For the Mac, an excellent choice is the free TextWrangler. For both
Windows and Mac, Adobe Dreamweaver is a great choice if you have
access to it, but it is expensive. If you do a lot of web design work, it
could be worthwhile to get the educational discount on a monthly subscription.
A bonus is that you can set up Dreamweaver to do the FTP for you.
How the class works
- Online lectures. I will post short video lectures early each week. The
videos will give you good hints that may not be in the book.
- Weekly assignments. Every week there will be several short PHP programs
to write. You will write these programs using the WAMP or MAMP software on
your own computer using a text editor. Then you will post these programs to
your account on the Mission College PHP server (see below) using your FTP
software.
- Discovery Projects. Every week there will be small projects that form the
pieces you'll need to finish the larger midterm and final projects. You will
post these projects to your account on the Mission College PHP server.
- Group Projects. Every student will be assigned to a group. Your
midterm and final projects will be turned in by your group. You will post
these projects to your group account on the Mission College PHP server.
- Discussion Forum. There will be a discussion forum where you can
ask questions and answer questions posed by others. Participation in these
discussion forums is an important part of your grade. The forums will be
on the Angel learning system.
- Mandatory lab session. Thursday evenings, 6:30–9:40 pm
in room GC 202.
In the lab, we will answer questions, go over difficult material, make sure
all the software is installed and we are all on track, and work together in
our groups.
Mission College PHP Server
Every student will have an account on the Mission College PHP server, located at
php.missioncollege.edu. Your account
will have a URL like php.missioncollege.edu/~ca86_xx, where xx is your account
number. Account numbers will be assigned during the first or second week of class.
There will be a separate account number for your group. Everyone in your group
will have access to your group account.
Angel Learning
Angel Learning is a course management system adopted by the WVMCCD for all classes.
When you log into the system, you will see a listing of classes that you are teaching
(faculty) or a list of classes that you are taking.
Angel is where you will participate in discussion forums, send messages to me
or other students, take quizzes and exams, and check your grades.
The easiest way to log in to Angel is to go to the Mission College home page,
www.missioncollege.edu, then click the
Angel Login link in the right-hand column.
If you've never logged in to Angel before, your credentials are your student
ID number and your six-digit birth date (mmddyy). There are instructions on the
main Angel login page, under the bold heading "Need help with Angel?"
Grading
| A | 90–100% |
| B | 80–89.9% |
| C | 70–79.9% |
| NC | 0–69.9% |
| Quizzes | 15% |
| Weekly Exercises | 25% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Final Group Project | 20% |