FIT2028 Web systems 2 - Semester 1 , 2007 unit guide

Semester 1, 2007

Chief Examiner

Janet Fraser

Lecturers

Berwick : Janet Fraser
Caulfield : Janet Fraser
Clayton : Janet Fraser

Outline

Client-side scripting for desktop and mobile devices: scripting language structure and syntax, scripting events and event handlers, creating objects and using built-in objects, objects and navigation, browser objects. WML: structure, syntax and implementation.

XML structure and validation using XML Schema Language. Processing using XSLT. XPATH.

Server-side scripting: PHP structure, syntax and implementation. PHP scripting techniques for building dynamic web page interfaces for accessing server-side data stores. Implementing state-handling in a "stateless environment". Strategies for enforcing data integrity, data security principles and techniques. Database and web page design concepts and their importance in commercial applications.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students should have a knowledge of:

  • a client side scripting language and its uses in web page design
  • the structure of XML and its uses, particularly in a web environment
  • constructing, validating and processing XML documents
  • server side scripting to access data stores

developed skills in:

  • developing client side scripts to perform a variety of browser tasks
  • developing, validating and processing XML documents
  • developing server side scripts to access data stores
attitudes of:
  • professionalism towards respecting copyright
  • requiring professional standards in designing and implementing web applications.

Prerequisites

Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed FIT1011 Web systems 1 (or equivalent) and FIT1002 Computer Programming (or equivalent).

You should have knowledge of Basic HTML, basic XML, some programming in Java, C, C# or C++

Unit relationships

FIT2028 is an elective unit in the Net-centric major of the Bachelor of Information Technology and Systems. This unit is prohibited with CSE2030, CPE2010 and CPE3003

Texts and software

Required text(s)

None

Textbook availability

Not Applicable

Software requirements

Internet Explorer,

Mozilla Firefox,

WS-FTP

XMLWriter, Version 2

Miscrosft XML Component, Version 4

PHP V5

Oracle Client

Software may be:

  • downloaded from http://walkabout.infotech.monash.edu.au/walkabout/fit2028/

Hardware requirements

Students may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to 8 hours per week for use of a computer.

Recommended reading

Sklar, J, Principles of Web Design, Web Warrior Series, 2000

Sand, D., Designing Large-Scale Web Sites, a Visual Design Methodology, Wiley Computer Publishing, 1996

Gosselin,D., JavaScript, Web Warrior Series, Thompson Learning, 2000

Negrino, T. and Smith, D., JavaScript for the World Wide Web, Third Edition, Peachpit Press, 1999

Holzner, S, Inside XML, New Riders 2001

Holzner,S., Inside XSLT, New Riders, 2000

Wellings & Thompson, PHP and MySQL Web Development, SAMS Publishing

Converse & Park, PHP Bible, Wiley Publishing

Library access

You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject.  Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.

Study resources

Study resources for FIT2028 are:

The FIT2028 website, http://walkabout.infotech.monash.edu.au/walkabout/FIT2028 where lecture slides, tutorial exercises, assignment specifications, sample exam and supplementary material is posted.

Unit website

http://muso.monash.edu.au/

Structure and organisation

Week Topics Key Dates
1 Introduction to XML
2 XML and XSLT
3 IIS Virtual Directories. Introduction to PHP
4 Using datastores - Oracle, ODBC, MySQL.
5 SQL Inserts/Updates/Deletes. Cleaning SQL statements Assignment 1 Due @ 2pm
6 Drop-down lists, Multiple check boxes, Client Side Integrity Checking, Cookies, Sessions, LDAP
Non teaching week
7 Uploading Files, XML and PDF Creation, Accessing File System, Sending Email
8 PHP Templates
9 Ajax defined, using Ajax. Using Ajax with PHP, using Ajax with PHP and databases.
10 Understanding JavaScript, creating a simple script, how JavaScript programs work. Using and storing values, using strings and arrays, testing and comparing values, using loops.
11 Using built in objects, browser objects, creating custom objects, responding to events. Using windows and frames, getting data with forms, using graphics and animation, browser specific scripts.
12 Scripting layers. Using cookies. Programming practices. Examples: banner ads, Javascript features, a shopping cart, using seach engines. Assignment 2 Due at 2pm
13 Revision

Timetable

The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+

Assessment

Assessment weighting

Assessment for the unit consists of:

2 assignments with a weighting of 35%,
submission of Quiz Questions worth 5%,
submission of Exercises worth 10% and
an examination with a weighting of 50%.

Read this section VERY carefully.

Assessment Policy

To pass this unit you must:

earn at least 40% of the marks available for practical work AND at least 40% in the examination. In addition students must receive 50% overall to pass the unit.

Your score for the unit will be calculated by:

Assignment percentage + Quiz Question marks + Exercise marks + Exam percentage

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Due Date Weighting
XML Assignment 30/3/2006 at 2pm 15%
PHP Assignment 25/5/2006 at 2pm 20 %
Quiz Question Submission 25/5/2006 at 2pm 5 %
Exercise Submission 25/5/2006 at 2pm 10 %
Exam is 3 hours long and is closed book Exam period (S1/07) starts on 07/06/07 50 %

Assignment specifications will be made available http://walkabout.infotech.monash.edu.au/walkabout/fit2028/.

Assignment Submission

Assignments will be submitted by electronic submission to the student server. The due date is the date by which the submission must be received.

Extensions and late submissions

Late submission of assignments

Late assignments are not accepted for correction, and zero marks are awarded accordingly. The only exception to this is in the case of illness or other serious cause. In any such cases, proper third party documentation (e.g. a doctor's certificate) would have to be supplied. Where a doctor's certificate is supplied, then an extension may be allowed for time specified on the doctor's certificate.

This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment. 

Extensions

It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. 

Requests for extensions must be made by email to the unit lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Grading of assessment

Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:

Grade Percentage/description
HD High Distinction - very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction - high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit - sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.

Assignment return

Assignment correction sheets will be completed and placed in the student's directory on the student server.

Feedback

Feedback to you

You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.

Feedback from you

You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.

And if you are having problems

It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.

Plagiarism and cheating

Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating  has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.

In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work. 

When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer. 

Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.

Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.

Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.

Communication

Communication methods

On campus and on line help sessions. See unit web site for details.

Notices

Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the unit website. Website.. Failure to read the Notices is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.

Consultation Times

See unit web site for times on campus and on line help sessions.

If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:

All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.

Last updated: Mar 9, 2007