CSIS 314 Client–Server Systems

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to constructing complete information systems based on the client–server model. On the client side, we introduce graphical user-interfaces, their design and implementation, as well as commonly used tools such as database access clients and report generators. On the server side, we introduce database management systems and the use of server-side programming tools that provide connectivity for clients and access to database systems. Along the way, students are introduced to the basics of distributed computing and computer networks.

CSIS 314 is supported by GitHub Education and the GitHub Education Student Developer Pack.


Instructor

Brian R. Snider
Office hours: Wood-Mar 223 (see schedule)


Texts

required
recommended
optional


Resources

Objectives

Students will put their programming skills to use in constructing a complete end-to-end information system solution. This will often be their first opportunity to construct a non-trivial system of software.

Students will be introduced to a number of topics that are covered in more detail in other courses. This introduction serves two purposes:

Course Organization

In addition to regular lectures and written assignments, this course will include a substantial programming project that will result in the construction of a complete end-to-end information system solution. Programming assignments may be carried out in one or more prescribed high-level languages. Instruction in the use of these languages will be provided.

The course will include regular homework and/or programming assignments. There will be no credit given for late assignments (without an excused absence)—turn in as much as you can. Unless otherwise specified, no handwritten work will be accepted.

Any assigned reading should be completed before the lecture covering the material per the provided schedule. Not all reading material will be covered in the lectures, but you will be responsible for the material on homework and exams. Quizzes over the assigned reading may be given at any time.


Academic Integrity and Collaboration

See the university's policy on academic honesty. See also the university's policy on the use of generative AI and related tools in an academic setting. Any suspected incidents of academic integrity violations will be investigated and reported to the Academic Affairs Office as they arise.

Unless otherwise specified (e.g., for a group assignment or project), you are expected to do your own work. This also applies to the use of online resources (e.g., solution guides), help forums (e.g., StackOverflow), and generative models (e.g., ChatGPT). Put simply: if you are representing someone (or something) else's work as your own, you are being dishonest.

For any given assignment, project, or similar, if I suspect that it is more likely than not the case that some or all of your submitted materials are not primarily your own work, I may ask you to orally explain and defend the approach or techniques used, the relevant theory or foundational concept, etc, as part of my investigative process. If the work is truly your own—or based on synthesis or application of outside resources resulting in actual learning—it should be very straightforward for you to explain things. However, if I find that you cannot sufficiently explain things, my only logical recourse will be to assume that the work is not your own. Put simply, again: you should be able to explain anything that you turn in for grading; if you cannot explain it, do not turn it in and represent it as your own work.

Most students would be surprised at how easy it is to detect inappropriate collaboration or other academic integrity violations such as plagiarism in programming, or over-reliance on generative models or similar tools without any understanding of the underlying concepts. Remember: you always have willing and legal collaborators in the faculty. I encourage you to ask questions before, during, or after class, ask for help in the CS lab, and visit my office hours for assistance.

Almost all of life is filled with collaboration (i.e., people working together). Yet in our academic system, we artificially limit collaboration. These limits are designed to force you to learn fundamental principles and build specific skills. It is very artificial, and you'll find that collaboration is a valuable skill in the working world. While some of you may be tempted to collaborate too much, others will collaborate too little. When appropriate, it's a good idea to make use of others—the purpose here is to learn. Be sure to make the most of this opportunity but do it earnestly and with integrity.


University Resources

Accessibility and Disability

If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please contact Disability & Accessibility Services (DAS) as early as possible so that your learning needs can be appropriately met. For more information, go to georgefox.edu/das or contact das@georgefox.edu.

My desire as a professor is for this course to be welcoming to, accessible to, and usable by everyone, including students who are English-language learners, have a variety of learning styles, have disabilities, or are new to online learning systems. Be sure to let me know immediately if you encounter a required element or resource in the course that is not accessible to you. Also, let me know of changes I can make to the course so that it is more welcoming to, accessible to, or usable by students who take this course in the future.

Academic Resource Center

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) on the Newberg campus provides all undergraduate students with free writing consultation, academic coaching, and learning strategy review (e.g., techniques to improve reading, note-taking, study, time management). The ARC offers in-person appointments; if necessary, Zoom appointments can be arranged by request. The ARC, located on the first floor of the Murdock Library, is open during the academic year from 1:00–9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 12:00–4:00 p.m. on Friday. To schedule an appointment, click on the TracCloud icon on the Canvas dashboard, go to traccloud.georgefox.edu, call 503-554-2327, email the_arc@georgefox.edu, or stop by the ARC. Visit arc.georgefox.edu for information about ARC Consultants' areas of study, instructions for scheduling an appointment, learning tips, and a list of other tutoring options on campus.

Student Support Network

George Fox University uses a robust referral and support system, Fox360, to learn about students who are experiencing various student success concerns. Students who are referred by a professor, other employee, or fellow student will be contacted by a member of our Student Support Network to explore the student's situation, develop a plan, and connect with relevant campus resources. GFU community members who have a concern about a student's well-being can submit an alert by going to fox360.georgefox.edu. Our goal is to provide 360° care for students as they navigate their college experience. For more information see ssn.georgefox.edu or contact Rick Muthiah, Director of Learning Support Services.


Grading

Grading Scale

The final course grade will be based on:

Tentative Schedule

Week 1

Introduction

Back-End Servers: Databases

Reading: SQL: Lesson 1

Command-Line Access

Week 2

SQL Select

Reading:
SQL: Lesson 2–14, 18
PHP: Ch. 9

Week 3

SQL Update, Insert, Delete

Reading: SQL: Lesson 15–16, 20

Project Database

Front-End Clients: Web Browsers

Reading: HTML: Ch. 1

Week 4

Version Control

Week 5

HTML Basics and Text Formatting

Reading: HTML: Ch. 2–4; skim 5

Links & Lists

Reading: HTML: Ch. 6–7

Week 6

Forms & JavaScript

Reading: HTML: Ch. 9, 12

Week 7

Tables

Reading: HTML: Ch. 10

CSS

Reading: HTML: Ch. 8

10/15

Project Milestone #1

Week 8

Design Guidelines

Middleware: Introduction to PHP

Reading: PHP: Introduction

Week 9

PHP Basics

Reading: PHP: Ch. 1

Arrays

Reading: PHP: Ch. 3

10/29

Project Milestone #2

Week 10

Strings

Reading: PHP: Ch. 4

Database Access

Reading: PHP: Ch. 10; scan 11

Week 11

Subprogramming

Reading: PHP: Ch. 5

Week 12

Sessions

Reading: PHP: Ch. 23

11/19

Project Milestone #3

Week 13

Security

Reading: PHP: Ch. 15–17

11/26

Thanksgiving — no class

Week 14

XML

Reading: HTML: Ch. 15–16

12/3

Project Milestone #4

Week 15

Other Technologies

Reading: PHP: Ch. 33

12/15

Project Milestone #5

12/18

Final exam
  1. GFU
  2. CS
  3. BRS
  4. CSIS 314

This page was last modified on 2020-07-30 at 18:28:28.

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