Location: Main Building B214A (Machine Lab)
mfishman@calarts.edu
Office Hours - TBD and by appointment
he / him / his
Full-Stack Software Engineer - Karmetik LLC
This course provides an introduction to the process of modern web development.
Each student will learn the basics of HTML, CSS and Javascript, and how to combine them into a functioning portfolio website.
In todays presentation, we start on a journey through the history and structure of the internet. We will explore its origins, delve into the creation of key web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and understand the fundamental workings of internet protocols, IP addresses, DNS, and domain names.
The internet operates on a set of protocols, with the IP (Internet Protocol) being paramount. Each device connected to the internet has a unique IP address, which functions like a postal address to facilitate data transmission. Protocols like TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and IP ensure data packets travel from their origin to the correct destination
The genesis of the internet can be traced back to the Cold War era. In the late 1960s, the U.S. Department of Defense embarked on a pioneering project called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), which would lay the foundational stones for today's internet. ARPANET's primary objective was to create a communications network that could withstand potential nuclear attacks and ensure a flow of information between key military and research institutions.
In 1969, ARPANET was brought to life when the first message was sent between two computers located at UCLA and Stanford Research Institute. This event marked the birth of networked communication as we know it. The network gradually expanded, connecting more universities and government sites across the United States.
In the 1970s, ARPANET introduced the TCP/IP protocol suite, developed by Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn. TCP/IP became the standard networking protocol, defining how data should be packetized, addressed, transmitted, and received. This protocol suite revolutionized data transmission and laid the groundwork for the global internet.The adoption of TCP/IP on January 1, 1983, is often considered the official birthdate of the modern internet. From there, the network continued to grow, both in terms of size and capabilities.
While the internet provided the infrastructure for global connectivity, it was the creation of the World Wide Web that revolutionized how we access and interact with information online. The Web, a distinct entity from the internet, was conceived by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland. His vision was to create an information management system that would simplify the sharing and updating of information among researchers.
Berners-Lee's revolutionary idea led to the development of three cornerstone technologies that are the foundation of today’s web: HTML (HyperText Markup Language), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), and the concept of URLs (Uniform Resource Locators). HTML allowed for the creation of web pages that could include not only text but also links to other documents – these hyperlinks created the interconnected structure of the Web. HTTP was the protocol that enabled the retrieval of linked resources across the web. URLs provided the addresses for these resources, ensuring each had a unique location.
In 1990, Berners-Lee developed the first web browser, originally called WorldWideWeb (later renamed Nexus), and the first web server. This breakthrough made the Web accessible not only to scientists at CERN but eventually to the general public. In 1991, the Web was opened to new users, marking the start of its rapid expansion beyond the confines of CERN.
The early 90s saw a surge in web development, with the introduction of the first graphical web browser, Mosaic, in 1993, which played a significant role in popularizing the World Wide Web. It was user-friendly and capable of displaying images inline with text, which was revolutionary at the time.
By mid-decade, the Web had started to take shape as a new medium for publishing, communication, and commerce. Its growth was exponential, and it fundamentally transformed how individuals, companies, and governments operated.
The evolution and functionality of the modern web are largely attributed to the synergistic combination of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These technologies, each playing a distinct role, work together to create the rich and interactive web experiences we are accustomed to today.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the foundation of all web pages. It originated alongside the World Wide Web in 1990 by Tim Berners-Lee. HTML allows for the structuring of content on the web, enabling the creation of text, links, images, and other elements. It defines the basic skeleton of a webpage, laying out the essential building blocks that make up its content and structure.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), introduced in 1996 by Håkon Wium Lie and Bert Bos, brought a new dimension to the web - style and layout. Before CSS, HTML was used to control both the structure and the appearance of web pages, which was cumbersome and limited. CSS separated content from design, allowing for more sophisticated, consistent, and reusable styling options across web pages.
JavaScript, created in 1995, added the element of interactivity to the web. Initially developed under the name Mocha, then LiveScript, and finally renamed JavaScript. JavaScript enables client-side scripting, allowing web pages to respond to user interactions in real-time, perform calculations, manipulate content, and communicate asynchronously with web servers.
Front End
The front end of a website is what users see and interact with. It includes the design, images, colors, and layout, achieved through HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Front-end development focuses on user experience, ensuring the site is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Back End
The back end of a website involves the server, database, and applications. It's where the data is stored and managed, using languages like PHP, Ruby, or Python. Back-end development ensures the website functions correctly, processes data, and performs necessary operations behind the scenes.
CLIENT
A client in computing is a software or hardware device that accesses services or resources provided by a server through a network. Typically, clients initiate communication sessions with servers by sending requests for information or services. Examples of clients include web browsers, email applications, and online game interfaces. Clients operate within a client-server model where they depend on servers for computational operations, data storage, and accessing specialized services.
SERVER
The back end of a website involves the server, database, and applications. It's where the data is stored and managed, using languages like PHP, Ruby, Node.JS or Python. Back-end development ensures the website functions correctly, processes data, and performs necessary operations behind the scenes.
