Description
Students will develop an understanding of web application development, by learning to create a database back-end and related server-side scripts. Key concepts in web application development such as security will be elucidated. Throughout the module the need for a professional approach to web application design and development will be emphasised
Aims
The aim of this Module is to provide the student with: the necessary skills to enable them to develop complex database driven web applications, effectively employing server side technology.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module the student should be able to:
1. Plan and implement an effective web application supporting database transactions using a server-based database management system.
2. Design and develop a standards compliant web application utilising a back end engine that integrates parsed HTML and dynamic data.
3. Critically evaluate different design issues in building complex database driven internet solutions.
4. Evaluate web application development from the perspective of security and countermeasures.
Indicative Content
1 Dynamic Site Basics.
Write dynamic web sites in HTML5 supported by CSS with a framework (eg. Bootstrap). Design and implement a database to store data in relational form; use PHP to extract data and deliver to the web page. Use of Javascript within the site.
2 Database Management Systems:
Appropriate use of the Relational database model to store data for dynamic web sites. Storing objects in a database. Alternative models including NoSQL database model.
3 Web Application Architectures:
Use techniques to develop a structured approach to dynamic web scripting. Understanding of the MVC architecture and separation of Model, View Controller. Use of APIs in web applications.
4 JSON / XML
JSON / XML as a non-vendor specific way to deliver data around and between applications and servers. Use familiar XML formats such as RSS. XSLT to transform XML. Use of JSON / XML in web services.
5 APIs and REST Web-Services
Understand the limitations of a monolithic development. Moving to a service led architecture. Use of remote data. Providing data to third parties via APIs. Consuming data from a remote API. Rest Web Services. Use of API keys.
6 Mobile Web Sites
Consideration of the differences between mobile and PC demands from a website. Use responsiveness within a web site. Consider the creation of mobile specific web sites.
7 Security
Running through the whole module is the idea of secure coding. Secure registration and signin to web sites. Main threats to the security of dynamic web applications and their data. Implement countermeasures to security threats within the context of differing types of application. Use of secure coding including prepared statements.
8 State Management within HTTP
Use of Cookies in web development. Sessions and session management. Client Management and Application Management within PHP. Examination of different models from other technologies.
9 Client-Side Scripting
Review of Javascript as a client side language. Use of frameworks such as JQuery or AngularJS. Use of AJAX in the development of web pages.
10 Internet of Things
Basic architecture of node / sensor domain, server / database platform and application domain. Uploading to servers from various devices. Ability to store the state of the IoT system. Different ways to do this. Interrogation of servers to get information on a mobile device.
Teaching and Learning Work Loads
| Teaching and Learning Method | Hours |
| Lecture | 12 |
| Tutorial/Seminar | 0 |
| Practical Activity | 36 |
| Assessment | 80 |
| Independent | 72 |
| Total | 200 |
Guidance notes
SCQF Level - The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.
Credit Value – The total value of SCQF credits for the module. 20 credits are the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits. A full-time student should normally register for 60 SCQF credits per semester.
Disclaimer
We make every effort to ensure that the information on our website is accurate but it is possible that some changes may occur prior to the academic year of entry. The modules listed in this catalogue are offered subject to availability during academic year 2021/22 , and may be subject to change for future years.
