Project Assignment
For the project, you will be creating a web app using the key technologies we have practiced throughout the semester. Instead of giving you a specific web app to replicate, you are given the freedom to choose what you'd like to make.
We are giving you some restrictions on what you can make, such as a list of technical and style requirements. You may work alone but you are encouraged to work with another student in a group.
Unlike the homework assignments, the project cannot be turned in late.
Technology requirements
In your project, you must include the following technologies:
Frontend: HTML/CSS
• Use classes and ids
• Use floating
• Change 2+ default font properties
• Change 4+ box model properties (border, padding, margin)
• Must pass validators
Frontend: JavaScript
• Listen for 2+ events
- Can be the same event type, like 2 click events
• Use fetch() to talk to your backend
Backend
• Use Node and ExpressJS
• Save persistent data in MongoDB
• Include at least 1 GET route
• Include at least 1 POST route, and it should include a message body
Misc
• You need to incorporate all these technologies into one cohesive web app.
- We will not be grading on things like how interesting your project idea is, how original your idea is, how "realistic" it is, etc. However, your project also can't be a set of totally nonsensical code that happens to hit our checklist of technologies. Your project should be a web app, even if it's a very small web app, or a silly web app, or a dumb web app.
• Your project should be relatively bug-free.
- It's hard for us to judge whether you are using the technology correctly if your code is very buggy.
- We will not deduct points for trivial bugs or polish bugs, but we will deduct points for things like if the one GET in your project is not actually working.
- This is another reason why you should aim small in your project scope.
Style requirements
These style requirements should be no surprise, as we've enforced them all semester.
HTML/CSS:
• Use tags semantically, e.g. don't use
for every single element on your page.
• Use descendent selectors to reduce redundancy in CSS and HTML
• You must write raw HTML and CSS, as we have done all semester.
- i.e. don't use SASS or compiled CSS/HTML
JavaScript:
• Avoid global variables. Use the module pattern.
• OK to use globals for constants, or other reasonable scenarios
• Add/remove/toggle classes from classList instead of modifying style directly, unless you have to modify style directly (e.g. if you are calculating the value of a CSS property in JavaScript)
• You must write raw JavaScript, as we have done all semester.
- You may not use jQuery or Prototype.
- You may not use any frontend frameworks, such as React, Angular ect.
Backend:
• Your backend must be written using the Node and Express libraries
• Don't save data to the filesystem: persistent data should be stored in a MongoDB.
• HTTP methods should be used in ways that are compatible with the method definition. For example:
- Use GET for retrieving data. Do not write data in a GET handler.
- Use POST for saving data. Do not use POST to display a page.
- Don't use query parameters with POST
Presentation
You will be required to do a 5 minute demonstration of your page in class on 4/30 or 5/2. This presentation will be informal. All you will need to do is demonstrate how your web app works and explain what it does.
Proposal
You must turn in a project proposal. This proposal must include the following information:
- Your name and your partner's name (if you are working in a pair)
- A paragraph describing what your app will do
- A paragraph describing how you will use your database