[Noisebridge-discuss] Frontend Web Development, Monday 8pm: Preprocessors

Jeffrey Carl Faden jeffreyatw at gmail.com
Sun Oct 20 00:41:20 UTC 2013


Frontend code can often get very repetitive and hard to maintain. On
Monday, we'll expand upon last week's talk about the "view" layer by
introducing preprocessors - languages which compile into HTML, CSS, or JS.
We've taken a look at PHP and ERB, but we'll also walk through languages
that look nothing like HTML (HAML), and languages that compile into CSS
(Less, Sass + Compass) and JS (CoffeeScript). These languages can make your
life much easier as they help keep you from repeating yourself (DRY!).
We'll also introduce Middleman, one of many workflow systems that makes
using these languages easy.

To prepare for this class, consider installing RVM (https://rvm.io/)  with
the --ruby=2.0 flag if you're using OS X or Linux, or Ruby 2.0 via
RubyInstaller for Windows (http://rubyinstaller.org/). If you really want a
head start, you can then install Middleman (http://middlemanapp.com/).

This is the second-to-last class in the series. Next week, I'll attempt to
introduce Backbone.js, a JavaScript-based MVC framework. Might be sloppy,
but I'll give it a go. After that, it's a week break, and then it's back to
basics on November 11! Tell your friends!

If you can't make it to this week's lecture, you can watch a live video
stream of the class. Join this Google+ Event to be notified of when to hop
on (you don't have to be a Google+ member):
https://plus.google.com/events/cqdbtrpmdtbu5d71b2d427esirc
This video stream will also be available to watch after the class is
complete.

--- The usual details follow ---

Learn HTML, CSS and JavaScript - and put them to good use! This weekly
lecture series, taught by Jeffrey Carl Faden, is aimed at complete
beginners who are interested in making websites, as well as seasoned
professionals looking to brush up on the latest and greatest.

Frontend web development is all about making code that runs in the browser
(versus code that runs on the server). There isn't a big focus on web
design (creating wireframes and mockups), but we do cover best practices
for turning these designs into beautiful code.

The class starts on Monday at 8pm, and goes until 10pm! Plan to arrive
EARLY, as the class has been filling up very fast. We will have a recap of
last week's material starting at 7:30pm. If you're either new, couldn't
make last week's class or you simply need a refresher, come early and we'll
go through a simple tutorial.

This class does go in a series, but the series can last up to half a year.
Don't let it discourage you if you're starting from the middle - attend
recaps and labs and you should be able to catch up!

This class and the space in which it's taught are entirely free to attend.
Please bring a laptop. Read all of the details here:
https://noisebridge.net/wiki/Frontend_Web_Development
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