UNIT 35: WEB APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT
Unit 35: Web Applications Development
Unit code: K/601/1510
QCF Level 5: BTEC Higher National
Credit value: 15
· Aim
To enable learners to understand the concepts of web applications and apply the skills to develop and test web applications using server-side technologies.
· Unit abstract
The internet has emerged as a dominating area of IT development. The ever-expanding applications within the global community that communicates, trades and exchanges information (seamlessly) has meant that the Internet and its associated technologies is a rapidly growing and changing area that requires in-depth knowledge as well as a wide range of skills. These web technologies have also been used to develop e-Commerce, intranet, extranet and social networking systems to meet the needs of modern businesses and associations.
Learners should already be familiar with website design and management, and will be able to apply their own web development skills to this unit. Learners will enjoy extending their web- development skills by understanding the concepts of web-based applications using server-side technologies. This unit takes client-side web-development one step further by introducing server- side application development. This unit focuses on server-side technologies and how server-side scripting can be used to create sophisticated web-based applications.
Learners will understand the concepts of web-based applications using one or more different server-side scripting languages, such as ASP, JSP and PHP. Many web-based systems also include database systems, which enables data to be processed dynamically. Learners will gain
experience of developing web-enabled database systems, using SQL statements combined with server-side scripts to manage the process of information.
Learners will develop skills in specific techniques and also able to select when and where they are most appropriate, basing this decision on client and user needs. They will also ensure that their applications comply with the relevant legislation and guidelines.
· Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this unit a learner will:
1 Understand the concepts of web application development
2 Be able to design web applications
3 Be able to implement web applications
4 Be able to test web applications.
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BH023330 – Edexcel BTEC Levels 4 and 5 Higher Nationals specification in Computing and Systems Development – Issue 1 – June 2010 © Edexcel Limited 2010
UNIT 35: WEB APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT
Unit content
1 Understand the concepts of web application development
Users: types eg expert, regular, occasional, novice, special needs; requirements, eg psychological, cultural, social and environmental, health and safety, education and work
Site analysis: purpose eg communication, real-time information, commercial, government, education, business, entertainment, downloading/uploading, web storage; fit for purpose, eg meets organisational and site objectives; planning, eg storyboarding, structure, hypermedia linkage, search engine key words, graphical design, user interface, audio/video sources, animation, text design; maintenance, eg plans, logs, disaster recovery, testing
Accessibility: features eg alternative text, resizable fonts, support for screen readers, adjustable fonts
Legislation: laws, guidelines and standards, eg Disability Discrimination Act, Data Protection
Act, E-Commerce Regulations Act, W3C validation, copyright and intellectual property rights
Functionality: functions, eg shopping cart, reserve order, manage user profile, web content management, upload files
Scripting languages: server-side eg ASP (Active Server Pages), ASP.NET, PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor), JSP (Java Server Pages), Cold Fusion, Perl, Java Applet, Flash; advantages eg faster processing time, data processing, data storage; client-side eg JavaScript, VBScript
Security: security requirements, eg user accounts, account restrictions, procedures for granting and revoking access, terms of use, system monitoring
2 Be able to design web applications
Identification of need: nature of interactivity eg online transactions, static versus dynamic; client needs and user needs, eg image; level of security, eg user/administrator access; development timescales, support and maintenance contracts, costs, visibility on search engines; end user need eg appropriateness of graphics, complexity of site, delivery of content
Design tools: concept designing, eg mood boards, storyboarding; layout techniques eg frames, tables, block level containers (DIV), inline containers (SPAN); templates; colour schemes; screen designs, use case diagrams, pseudo code; other eg outline of content; database design, eg data flow diagrams, entity relationship diagrams
Database design: documenting the design; back end design, eg defining relationships, normalisation, naming conventions; front end design, eg user interface, security measures