SUMMARY: Where I last left off, I was implementing the underlying skeleton of the protocol. I have the bare minimum working. Now it’s time to actually return some real data and draw something on the screen. Continue reading →
Although I know a bit about programming, there's a lot of stuff I don't know how to do. I use this process journal to document best practices as I stumble upon them, if I don't just make something up on the spot. Focus in September-October 2011 is on learning web application development.
07
Oct 11
PSEC: Implementing the Protocol
SUMMARY: After defining the rudimentary command protocol for loading and saving data, I have to implement at least the “init” command to provide data to the Javascript side of things. That means implementing a simple command building interface with an optional serial command queue, which forces each command to complete before the next command is sent. Along the way, I am introduced to Javascript-style object-oriented syntax. Continue reading →
06
Oct 11
PSEC: Defining a Data Protocol
SUMMARY: After creating some skeleton code to move ints, strings, arrays, and objects from javascript to server and back again, I define PROTOCOL 0001. This defines the “commands” that are sent to the server and the return response. It also lays the groundwork for error checking and multi-user support. Next step will be to implement the protocol to support the actual functions of the web app. Continue reading →
06
Oct 11
PSEC: Connecting Dots, Part V
SUMMARY: Decided to use built-in WordPress AJAX support. Adapted tutorials to work with my solution by tracing through WordPress code line-by-line. Successfully sent jQuery POST to WordPress AJAX handler and dispatched through my handler. Successfully returned a WordPress object back to calling javascript. Round-trip communication is now achieved. Continue reading →
04
Oct 11
PSEC: Connecting Dots, Part IV
SUMMARY: Review and refine database schema. Add database initialization code for testing, populating tables with minimum data set. Looked at issues of security and user authentication surrounding use of AJAX with WordPress. Reviewed several solutions, then slept on it. Continue reading →
03
Oct 11
PSEC: Connecting Dots, Part III
SUMMARY: Bought a javascript book and a jQuery cookbook to get familiar with common programming solutions. Figured out the flow of execution for the javascript-side of the web app. Added dynamic javascript load support, which will allow me to manage the code more easily into a standard MVC split. Continue reading →
28
Sep 11
PSEC: Connecting Dots, Part II
SUMMARY: Studied basic jQuery. Figured out how to bind events so they can hide/show elements of a widget when you click on it. Continue reading →
27
Sep 11
PSEC: Connecting Dots, Part I
SUMMARY: Designed widget in HTML/CSS. Figured out where to put my javascript files, and how to load them on a per-page template basis. Continue reading →
20
Sep 11
PSEC: Designing HTML/CSS Widgets
Now that I have some rudimentary SQL stuff going on in my WP theme, it’s time to get back to the front-end. My goal is to have a new home page for my web browser with all my tasks listed on it. This is a start.
I’ve partially-modeled what a task looks like in the database schema. What does it look like on the screen? Time to do a bit of design. Continue on via the design process journal
19
Sep 11
PSEC: Creating MySQL Tables in WordPress
SUMMARY: A first stab at establishing a workable database schema for storing tasks. Learned how to use WordPress’ dbDelta() function to create and modify tables in the database. Figured out the basic SQL statements to create tables with the appropriate data types and indexes.
Continue reading →