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Developing Web Applications
Building applications for the Internet is a complex and fast-moving field which utilizes a variety of continually evolving technologies. Whether your perspective is from the client or server side, there are many languages to master - X(HTML), JavaScript, PHP, XML and CSS to name but a few. These languages have to work together cleanly, logically and
in harmony with the systems they run on, and be compatible with any browsers with which they interact. Developing Web Applications presents script writing and good programming practice but also allows students to see how the individual technologies fit together. It includes recent technical developments to provide a practical and modern introduction to building web applications. Assuming no prior programming experience, this concise, accessible book ensures that essential concepts on the client side are quickly grasped, and goes on to examine the server environment and available languages, including discussion of dynamic, modern scripting languages such as PHP. Network and security issues are also discussed. The aim of this book is to deliver exactly what is needed to start producing working applications as soon as possible - and have fun along the way. Ideal for course use or self-study, this book includes practical suggestions for mini-projects which encourage the reader to explore his or her own imaginative solutions, as well as more theoretical end-of-chapter questions. It can also easily be used as a reference work as each section is self-contained, amplifying the key aspects of its particular topic. Most software covered is freely available in the public domain and no particular development environments are required. It is a direct, contemporary and extremely useful resource for anyone interested in learning how to program applications for the World Wide Web.
Contents:
Preface.Introduction.Features.Additional Materials.Trademarks.Acknowledgments.CHAPTER 1: THE WAY THE WEB WORKS
A basic introduction to how the WWW works within the context of the Internet with supporting protocols and applications.CHAPTER 2: THE CLIENT SIDE: HTML
This chapter starts to look at the client side and static Web page development using HTML
You will learn how to develop simple Web pages and formatting, together with tables, images and frames.CHAPTER 3: FROM HTML TO XHTML
Here we continue the exploration of HTML into XHTML
You will learn about the various standards that have been developed for HTML
More advanced HTML will also be studied, and the ability to control search engines, cache refresh and meta information.CHAPTER 4: GETTING SOME STYLE: CSS
In this chapter you will learn how to present and control the format of Web pages using CSS
This includes the ability to precisely control the positioning and attributes of content while maintaining the structure of the document itself.CHAPTER 5: JAVASCRIPT: INTRODUCTION TO CLIENT SIDE SCRIPTING
This chapter will prepare you for developing with this popular scripting language, showing you the syntax and possibilities of use
The aims here are to show you how it is placed within a page, variables, strings, arrays and loops
Program flow is also discussed and how conditional operators and commands are used.CHAPTER 6: JAVASCRIPT: DEVELOPING MORE ADVANCED SCRIPTS
In this chapter you will learn about using objects in JavaScript, both the built-in types and creating your own
You will also learn about the Document Object Model (DOM), which allows HTML documents to be manipulated and accessed
Forms and ways of validating information submitted are explored here too.CHAPTER 7: DHTML
The aim of this chapter is to bring dynamic aspects of site design together
You will learn about animation, caching, event driven scripting and browser compatibility
It's in this chapter you will also find out more about compatibility and the need to provide alternatives for different browsers.CHAPTER 8: XML: EXTENSIBLE MARKUP LANGUAGE
In this chapter you will learn about the basics of XML and how it can be used to store information away from the mechanism of processing or formatting of such data
You will learn how to build simple XML files, and be able to manipulate and refer to them.CHAPTER 9: XML, XSL AND XSLT: TRANSFORMING XML
The aim of this chapter is to learn about and explore the possibilities of using XML as the starting point for data to be transformed into other target formats using XSLT
Style sheets are used and linked to documents
It is shown here that it is possible to process XML with a browser or a programing language on the client side.CHAPTER 10: WEB SERVICES, FEEDS AND BLOGS
Here you will learn about three important areas of Web activity: how it is possible to create language- and platform-independent services that utilize common Web protocols and XML
- how information can be disseminated automatically to interested people
- and finally, the phenomenon of the blog!CHAPTER 11: THE SERVER SIDE
This chapter aims to give you your first contact with the server side and introduces you to the server
- the various possible packages and platforms
- how to set up and the options involved
- testing your server
- logging users and dealing with dynamic IPs.CHAPTER 12: PHP 1: STARTING TO SCRIPT ON THE SERVER SIDE
This chapter gives a basic introduction to PHP and dynamic programing on the server side
You will learn how to develop simple PHP, how to structure your programs and embed script within HTML.CHAPTER 13: PHP 2: ARRAYS, FUNCTIONS AND FORMS
Here, you learn how to further manipulate data within PHP and in the process get to grips with new functions, loop structures and the verification of data input through forms
Simple arrays to dynamic structures are discussed, along with the ability to manipulate strings through special functions
Attention is particularly given to how to enlist specific features of PHP when processing data and how these can be used to add security.CHAPTER 14: MORE ADVANCED PHP
The aim here is to provide a glimpse of the further possibilities within PHP, including cookies, sessions, objects and more advanced file handling.CHAPTER 15: NETWORK AND WEB SECURITY
The aim of this chapter is to make you aware of threats to online security that you and your users must guard against
The most common forms of attack are studied, such as viruses and worms, cross site scripting, email problems, Trojan horses, phishing and many other mechanisms
Possible solutions are also looked into, including firewalls and anti-virus software.CHAPTER 16: DATABASES
The aim of this chapter is to help you understand databases so that they can easily be utilized in your Web applications and sites
The basic idea of the database is explored, together with how well it can be linked in with server side scripting
All the basic functions are studied, together with how these can be communicated directly to the database server.CHAPTER 17: ALTERNATIVE SCRIPTING LANGUAGES
The aim of this chapter is to have a look at the various technologies available for developing Web applications
This can be useful to familiarize you with legacy code that may be met while maintaining older applications and Web sites.CHAPTER 18: FUTURE: GAINING A PERSPECTIVE
This chapter's main focus is to acquaint the reader with the leading edge of Internet and Web technology, to give some idea of the currently active research areas and inspire interest for future study.Glossary.Sources.Index.
Brief Description:
Building applications for the Internet is a complex field which utilizes a variety of evolving technologies. Whether your perspective is from the client or server side, there are many languages to master. Presenting script writing and programming practice, this book also allows students to see how the individual technologies fit together.
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