Task 7 - Improving Functionality (U20M2, U28M2)

In this post I will be describing how a scripting language can improve the functionality of a website
I will also include the advantages of client side scripting to server side scripting

Client Side scripting Vs. Server side scripting with Advantages

The difference between these two scripting languages is that the client side code is all processed by the client and the server side is processed by the server.
JavaScript is the most popular client side scripting language. The reason for why it is good is because the majority of web browsers right now support it. The only web browsers which will be unable to support JavaScript are the older version of Internet Explorer.

There are both advantages and disadvantages with client side and server side scripting. One of the advantages is that the websites script is executed very fast. The reason for this is because the script is being executed in the clients web browser.

As everything with client side scripting is happening in the client’s web browser will mean there will be better interactivity based on the actions of the user.

As the server is connected to the Internet there will be times where the connection may be cut off because of the amount of users using it or other problems.

The problem with the Internet connection cutting off will mean that the request of the client will be sent to the server but there wont be a response.
As the connection is lost the server cant send the response to the client.

Conclusion
Both scripting languages are good to have on web pages as each one has something positive in particular the language does not have. Client side is quick for responding to requests and its good for the design layout of the Webpage.

The other language which is server side scripting is used for sending the request through a secure sever that looks through the database matching the request. The disadvantage of this is that its slower for the requests.

User Experience

Using Client side scripting improves the user experience by far. The reason for this is that Web pages are more interactive when using client side scripting. Client side scripting is embedded in HTML and works alongside JavaScript. The responds to the request of the user side scripting is also a lot faster rather than server side scripting.

Another positive is that since each monitor will have a different measurement the layout of the webpage will re size its self to the exact measurements of the user’s screens resolution settings. The font size will also change making it easier for users to read the information.

Client side scripting also helps users when they are looking for something specific on a web page.

An example of the response time will be the navigation tab on eBay, when you hover over a main tab such as “Electronics” then a menu will appear below the main tab. The menu appears very quick so that makes it a good user experience.

The will improve the user experience as the user wouldn't have to spend so much time on the website looking for something they want. The menu will then list the other categories
within the main menu subject.

The image above shows that once I have hovered over the Home & Garden navigation tab then another menu has appeared below it with different categories.

Validation

Client side and Server side performs validation differently.

Client side scripting is used for validation as this is the fastest way in responding to the users request unlike a server side scripting where it’s based on the server. Client side also helps to avoid any errors that may occur if an input that is sent to the website server in order to be validated even more. Overall client side speeds the process the validation by the quick response time.

An example of validation is if an email is written and a main character is missing such as “@” then the client side will validate the email ensuring it is correct. If it’s not correct then a message would appear explaining what is wrong with the email.

Server side validation would be slow because of the requests going from the client to the secured server so it would take a long amount of time. Instead Client side scripting is used because the validation is done on the web browser. Validation on the browser would mean as soon as the "OK" button is pressed the information would have already been validated so the response will appear right after.

If the email or password is correct then the web page will accept the request and allow the user to enter the site.

How can client side scripting improve form validation?

Client side scripting has a lot of advantages, firstly the response time to the user is much faster than the server side validation. Its a great tool in order to improve speed, reduce the loading times and finally add effects to the web page.

Validation can also be done faster checking anything for errors because it will be using the web browser.

References

Advantages and disadvantages of client side scripts

07/05/2014

http://bit.ly/1nt4sCC

 

Web server scripting disadvantages

07/05/2014

http://bit.ly/1mHkiYW

 

Advantages and disadvantages of client side scripting

08/05/2014

http://bit.ly/1obznG7

 

Client side scripting 

08/05/2014

http://bit.ly/SF1d0J

 

Server side scripting 

08/05/2014

http://bit.ly/1m2SGPt

Task 6- Javascript & jQuery Fundamentals

In this blog entry I will be describing the purpose of JavaScript as well as its key features. The final part of the task I will be describing the purpose of jQuery as a development tool.

 

JavaScript
 

JavaScript is a scripting language which is used to add functionality to a website. Not only this but JavaScript is also used to edit the layout of the web page for example a drop box. Without JavaScript web pages will not have the interactivity and include the layout features that make the webpage interactive. An example of what JavaScript can be used for menus or navigation tabs. JavaScript is also not a full blown programming language. JavaScript is also different to the other programming language which is Java. Java is used for programming very complex programmes such as...
 

Validation of JavaScript
 

JavaScript also validates anything written on a web page. For example if an email is written and a main character is missing such as “@” then JavaScript code can be written to recognise this and validate the email, It will then not accept the email and notify the user that there is a problem.

JavaScript is supported by some of the web browsers like the 4 different web browers listed below.

> Internet Explorer

> Safari 

> Google Chrome

> Firefox

 

JQuery

 

JQuery is a development tool that is used in the JavaScript library which allows shorter and more accessible lines of JavaScript to be opened. JQuery just goes into the JavaScript library and a short line of code represents jQuery unlike JavaScript where there are many lines of words that represent it. As jQuery is shorter than javascript code time can be saved by not repeating the code. It was mainly designed to make JavaScript easier to code.

Overall less code has to be written when jQuery is being used within the website and another benefit is that there will be fewer errors because there is less repetition.

References

Whats so good about jquery?
02/05/2014
http://bit.ly/1kB6X4o

How jquery works?
02/05/2014
http://bit.ly/1pe4lcy   

Assignment 1: Design Tools

My Intentions

I will be designing a website about Lions. On the website it will include lots of different facts and information about Lions will be explained.

To explain kids who are beginners and who don't know much about Lions. The information can be about how they mate and the main juicy facts about Lions.

Facts will need to be fun and interesting.

Target Audience: Kids aged from 10 to 14 years old as kids always likes to know about animals such as a lion which is a top predator.

QSEE Superlite

QSEE Superlite is a piece of software which is allows users to create a mid map of the navigation for the different pages and how they connect. Interactive navigation tabs on a website will first need to be designed using QSEE Superlite software.

I used Superlite by making a mind map which included all he different web pages which is going to be connected to the home page.

The image above shows the different web pages which is linked to the home page. I used QSEE Superlite it.

Colour Palette

In order for my web page to show eye catching and interesting to look at it needs colours. There were a variety of different colour Palettes but I chose to for the Adobe Kuler. I reason for why I used this is because I can lots of different colours in the same row and made it much easier. I used the colour Palette tool so that I can use the different colours onto my web page. The colour palette can have up to 5 different colours.

Fonts

In order for my text to look different from others and stand out at the same time it needed Fonts. I used the Google Web Fonts to pick the different fonts which I wanted to use for each of my main texts such as the Heading and the information.

Using the fonts made my headings, title and text look different from each other and that is what I wanted to do.

The Fonts could also be exported from Google fonts onto a text document which was really good for me as I could text  them out.

Wireframe

After fonts it was time for me to wireframe my web page which means that I had to create the layout of my web page using a special software. The software which I used for wire framing is called MockFlow. I used this software to create the layout for each of my web page. The tools on MockFlow which I used was images, Video, Tabs, Label, Banner, etc.

Wire framing the web pages also gave me an understanding of how it will look once website has been created.

Graphic Programme

The graphic programme which I used is Illustrator. Adobe Illustrator is a programme which is used to create graphic designs. I created the logo for my website using this programme. The tool which I used to create the logo is the pen tool.  

Overall the graphic programme is a really good software which I used to create my logo.

Assignment 2: Design a Website

Designing a Website

In this post I will be explaining all the information about Lions such as the best and fun facts about Lions which will get all kids interested.

Purpose: To explain kids who are beginners and who don't know much about Lions. The information can be about how they mate and the main juicy facts about Lions.

Facts will need to be fun and interesting. Interesting  

Target Audience: Kids aged from 10 to 14 years old as kids always likes to know about animals such as a lion which is a top predator.

Content: Lions as Introductions

On the homepage of Lions a small paragraph will be displayed in which there will be a description of Lions for example what a Lion is and where it mainly lives.

There will also be some images displayed below the short information about Lions.

Other pages on the website will include the following and in the correct order

1) Facts about Lions
Lots of interesting facts will be motioned on the page. Some examples are that Lions in the wild live for around 12 years and In the wild, lions rest for around 20 hours a day.

2) The different types of Lions
There are two different types of Lions which is a Lion and Tiger. Lions cant swim and Tigers can swim so there is some difference between those two.

3) How they eat
How Lions Hunt for food and what types of animals they mostly like to eat
4) How they mate

How Lions mate each other such as two different Lions fighting against each other to win the female Lion

5) What part of the world do they live and how they survive in the harshest conditions
How they survive around the world with even harshest weather conditions

6) Gallery
Lots of different images will be displayed in all the pages and on a separate page which will only include images.

Navigation

The image above shows the Hierarchy Chart for Lions

Colour Palette

The main text box displayed in the middle is the Home page which will have the other pages linked from the main page.

The screen shot above shows the different colour schemes with the Hex numbers below the colour scheme.

Background Colour: 3081D4

Header: 110612
Footer:  110612
Body Text: 110612
Heading 1 Style:  3BFF8B
Heading 2 Style:  3BFF8B
Links: 48FF56

Fonts

The screen shot above is the font type which I will be using for my text. The reason for this is that its clear to read and understandable

Logo

The image above is my own logo which I created using Illustrator CS6. The logo uses the colour green which makes its catchy and standout. 

To make a Wireframe of my web pages I used a software called Mockflow which is free to all users on the Internet. This software very easy to use and I managed to make all my web pages without any problem

 The image above shows the home page for Lions. The main page will have some key information about Lions which will get the viewer interested. Images will be included just to make the site a bit more live rather than just plain boring text.

My second page is going to be the fun facts about Lions. This will include the best facts about Lions which have not been said before.

My third page is about how Lions hunt their prey. This will include their favourite animal to eat and how the Lions hunt it down.

 My fourth page is going to be about the reproduction of Lions I.E. how Lions fight against each other to win the female Lion.

My Fifth page will include the different types of Lions how they are different to each other.

 My Sixth page will include how the Lions adapt to the environment and how they survive even in the harshest weather

Finally the last page is going to have lots of images and videos on Lions.

I have designed my own logo for the website but it cannot be added to Mock flow as its a
Wireframe website. The logo is very vibrant and catchy.

Interactivity

The tabs which is below the search engine is the navigation which links the user to another page when selected. Tabs which are organised are makes the website professional.

Navigation Tabs

The 6 tabs below the search engine is different pages which will be included in my website
Each one directs the user to its own page. Having these tabs also makes navigation part of the website much more professional and easy to understand.

Search Engine

Having a search engine will make much more easier to fine something in particular rather than having to search every part of the website.

Images

I don't want to make my website boring so having lots of text on the website make it un- enjoyable. This is why I have used multiple images to attract the viewers and also gives them something to think about.
Images will be related to Lions and each page will have its separate images

Video

A small short video will also be placed at the bottom right corner which will give a clear brief about lions and images will be included.

Including the video there was also be a puzzle page where people can solve puzzles about Lions. The puzzles will include word searches and others.

Banner

Just a small advertisement about lions that directs the user to sponsorship.  

The following is the images which I will be using on my website