The goal of this class is to give you a working knowledge of how to write computer programs, to get data from the web, and to build your own web applications. We'll learn the basic elements of programming through the language Python. At the end of this class, you can expect to be fairly proficient in using Python to build applications, understand enough about programming to be able to quickly pick up other languages (particularly scripting languages such as JavaScript, Ruby or Perl), and have a good understanding of what it takes to plan, analyze, design, implement and support software applications. We'll tour Python libraries for data analysis and, finally, we’ll put all these components together to learn how to crawl the web for data and to build web apps.
Your reward, at the end of the course (assuming you do everything seriously!) will be substantial. You’ll understand how computer applications - large scale ones or small scale ones - work and you’ll be able to build working prototypes to illustrate and market your own ideas. But, be aware that this is an intensive course that will require a lot of work and a substantial time commitment.
What you can expect from me.
What I expect from you
Python and Django. Designed (by Guido van Rossum) to be simple, readable, and uncomplicated, Python is about as intuitive as a programming language can get. Django is a web-framework, software that is designed to make the development and maintenance of a website as painless as possible. Django is written in Python for Python and runs on most web servers. With Python and Django you can prototype your web app ‘off-server’ and then, once you’ve tested it, easily port it to a web server.
Python2 vs. Python3. Unfortunately, there are two versions of Python and they aren't fully compatible. We'll be using Python3 (current version: 3.4.2) mainly because Python2 is slated to go away (though, in the open source world, that doesn't mean a whole lot!) but also because it is a better language.
HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML is a markup language. Pieces of text are ‘tagged’ (bold, headings, list elements, buttons, forms) and these tags are interpreted by the browser when it renders a web page. CSS is a style sheet language that integrates with HTML to create a common 'look and feel’ for a website (CSS is what gives all Stern pages the same look). JavaScript is a programming language much used on websites (because client computers can run javascript programs). We won’t have the time to cover JavaScript but you will have the tools and knowledge to pick it up quickly if necessary.
Mini Quizzes: We’ll have several, very short, quizzes mainly to reinforce points made in class and also to help you get your hands dirty. Most quizzes will be online 'do whenever you have the time', though some may be in-class. All quizzes are open book and you're welcome to check your solutions on your computers. Quizzes will be lightly graded so make a good faith effort and you’ll do fine. One or two quiz scores will be dropped in computing your quiz grade so no worries if you mess one up.
Home assignments: We’ll have a few home assignments as well. Like the quizzes, assignments are not meant to be diagnostic but rather to help you practice and learn so they will be very (very!) lightly graded. You can consult with others, ask me questions, use google for help, but do try them on your own first. Because I’ll either discuss the solution in class or put it up on the course site, late submissions will not be accepted (sorry!).
Project: There is no better way to learn something than to go out and use it so start thinking about a web application that you think you’d like to build. The expectation is that you use the material we’ll cover in this class to plan, design, and implement a small web application. Your project grade will depend on how well your work illustrates your understanding of the course material. Final submission will include a design report, Python code, and an in-class "speed-date" presentation and demonstration.
Participation: Demonstrate engagement in the course by asking questions. Preferably in the “Forums” section of the class website on NYU Classes. I'll respond to every question, either online or, if the response is of general interest, in the classroom. Some classes have mandatory attendance (I'll let you know which ones).
Exam: The course has one in-class exam toward the end of the semester. The exam will be a short “in-class” closed book, and closed computer exam though you are welcome to bring in a one page cheat sheet.
Computers are a requirement for this course and you are expected to bring one for every class. We'll do a lot of programming - the best way to learn is to see something in action and Python is an especially good language for making things happen. Make sure that your laptops have sufficient charge for the duration of the class!
Mac vs Windows: Either is fine but, if you have the choice, then please use a Mac. It is much easier to install needed libraries on a Mac than it is on a Windows machine. In particular, if you have a Mac and are using some sort of Windows emulator then please use Mac OS-X and not the Windows emulator for the work you do in this class. The double redirection will make everything a lot slower. But, either Mac or Windows will work so don’t worry if you’re a Windows user.
There is no required text for this class because, unfortunately, most books are designed for people who want to become computer programmers. However, I strongly suggest that you purchase the Mark Lutz book below so that you have something to read and work with outside the class. In the class, our focus is on usability and therefore we’ll use a mix of online resources, class slides and notes, and sample programs as a substitute for formal texts. The internet is an almost endless resource with excellent tutorials on almost everything and answers to practically every question you might have and I’ll point you to these resources as we move along the course.