Session 1: Welcome to Dynamic Web Applications. The goal of this class is to learn about the scope of web based applications and the technology used to engineer these tools. We will start by researching and implementing Open Source applications and then move into developing our own applications using PHP, MySQL and other technologies available to us. Throughout this process we will be reviewing PHP, MySQL and Javascript while developing new techniques. Due to the upper level nature of this course, it is strongly suggested that you spend extra time reviewing the concepts taught in the prerequisite course, IM3420 Advanced Scripting Languages. The following reading assignments are an introduction to Open Source and the Free Software Foundation. On Session 2 we will be watching a film about the history of the OS movement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source
An article about the Free Software Foundation by John Keston

Download: PHP Problem Set 1
1. All PHP problems within a “set” are due by the beginning of class on the next day that the class meets.
2. Each solution must be available via links on the OLS or comparable hosting and copied to the drop off drive.
3. Solutions to each problem set will be given during demonstrations on the day that they are due.
4. Grades will be collected during the solution demonstrations by an assigned classmate.

Session 2: Today we’ll be watching Revolution OS. “Revolution OS is a 2001 documentary which traces the history of GNU, Linux, Free Software and the Open Source movement. It features several interviews with prominent people, including Richard Stallman, Michael Tiemann, Linus Torvalds, Larry Augustin, Eric S. Raymond, Bruce Perens, Frank Hecker and Brian Behlendorf. It was directed by J.T.S. Moore.” – Wikipedia

After watching the film we will have a brief discussion about it and then begin going over the requirements for our first assignment. Our first assignment involves researching Open Source applications that use PHP and MySQL. We will compare and contrast a minimum of two OS projects.

Dynamic Web Applications – Research Project
Due: Session 1, Week 3

Write a six page double spaced research paper comparing and contrasting two Open Source web application projects. Use the resources listed to browse existing projects. Make sure that at least one of the projects you select uses PHP and MySQL. A prominent example for us is aim.aiiresources.com, which uses the popular content management system (CMS) – Joomla. Take your time and browse many examples until you find two that capture your interests. Make sure that you answer each of the following questions in your research. We will discuss your papers in class on Session 1, week 3. Note: please do not include WordPress as one of your examples because we are using it for the first project.

1. Why did you select each of your projects? What was it that attracted you to each example?

2. What sort of features are available in each project and how can they be applied as solutions for typical web based needs?

3. What are the requirements for implementing each example? What technologies are involved? Is a database required, etc.?

4 . Address the history of each project. What are the current versions? How long have the projects been active and who makes up the community surrounding them?

5. How would you use these projects? What kind of businesses or organizations could make use of these projects and how?

Delivery: Save your paper as a MLA 7 Google Document and share it with me at jck362 [ at ] gmail [ dot ] com. Name the file IM4420_OSResearch_<lastname>.

Resources:
www.freshmeat.net – The webs largest index of mostly unix and cross-platform software
www.sourceforge.net – A complete database of Open Source projects.
www.opensourcecms.com – Try before you bu… install.
CMS Matrix