Module: Web Application Frameworks

Overview of web application frameworks and the Play Framework.

Learning Outcomes

Create standards compliant Java code

You can implement Java code that complies with Java best practices for coding style.

Acquire capability with the Eclipse IDE

You develop capability with the Eclipse IDE that enables you to develop software efficiently and effectively.

Write code efficiently

You can implement correctly functioning Java code in a short period of time.

Create high quality technical writing

You demonstrate the ability to write professional-quality technical essays or to have significantly improved your skill at this task since your last essay.

Design using HTML and CSS

You can use HTML and CSS to design basic web pages, and you can use tools (Eclipse, Chrome Developer Tools, LiveReload) to do this development efficiently.

Design using Twitter Bootstrap

You can use Twitter Bootstrap 3 along with HTML and CSS to design modern, responsive, and attractive web pages.

Understand benefits of web application frameworks

You understand the productivity and quality advantages of web application frameworks.

Design using Play Framework

You can use the Play Framework to implement web applications.

Readings

Web Application Frameworks

Introduction to web application frameworks and Play

Screencast 11 min

Play Bootstrap Template

Walkthrough of a template Play system using Twitter Bootstrap 3

Screencast 12 min

Page development in Play

How to create and add pages in Play.

Screencast 13 min

Play for Java, Part 1

Read Part 1 (Chapters 1 - 3)

Play for Java Tutorial Guide

Six web pages, from Installing Play to Sample Applications

Play Coding Standards

Guidelines to make Play development easier

Experiential Learning

Practice WOD: HelloMe

Create a minimal Play application.

Practice WOD: CleanHelloMe

Create a minimal Play application that passes checkstyle.

Practice WOD: PlayBootstrapBrowserHistory

Create a Play version of the BootstrapBrowserHistory page.

Interlude: Page development in Play

Watch how to create new pages in Play efficiently.

Practice WOD: MultiPage PlayBootstrapBrowserHistory

Create a multi-page Play version of the BootstrapBrowserHistory page.

Practice WOD: PlayResponsiveKamanu

Create a Play version of the Kamanu Composites home page.

A14: Web Application Frameworks Technical Essay

Write a technical essay summarizing your experience doing the Web Application Frameworks practice WODs.

Assessments

Group WOD: Play Responsive Castle High

Outcomes assessed: Acquire capability with the Eclipse IDE, Write code efficiently, Design using Twitter Bootstrap, Design using Play Framework

Rx: < 40 min Av: 40-50 min Sd: 50-60 min DNF: 60+ min or incorrect

Students worked in groups in-class to create a Play application implementing a responsive version of a Castle High web page.

Discussion:

  • Three groups did not complete this task in the 60 minutes provided.
  • The Play framework has a significant learning curve and many students did not appear to have spent much time on it yet.

Web Application Frameworks Technical Essay

Outcomes assessed: Create high quality technical writing

This assessment evaluated the ability of students to write a high quality technical essay summarizing their experiences doing the Web Application Frameworks practice WODs.

Discussion:

  • There are only a few of you who are actually succeeding in “writing for the world”. Many of your posts, quite frankly, are pretty boring to read. Those of you who are doing it right are creating little “stories” with a beginning (setting the stage, what your background regarding the material is, etc.), a middle (the actual WOD experiences), and an end (conclusions and insights).
  • It feels weird to me to take off points because a blog post is “boring”, but maybe I should start doing it just to get your creative juices flowing. If you came across your own postings online, would you want to work with yourself? Do you think, “Wow, this person is creative, intelligent, and probably fun to hang out with!”

Individual WOD: MultiPageKamanu

Outcomes assessed: Acquire capability with the Eclipse IDE, Write code efficiently, Design using Twitter Bootstrap, Design using Play Framework

Rx: < 20 min Av: 20-30 min Sd: 30-40 min DNF: 40+ min or incorrect

MultiPageKamanu is a variant of the PlayResponsiveKamanu practice WOD.

Discussion:

  • For the first time in an individual WOD, the number of DNFs fell substantially below 50%. In addition, more students obtained Rx time on this WOD than ever before. These appear to be encouraging trends.