CM3035 Advanced Web Development

Course Description

This module covers server-side web development and the related internet protocols and
standards; HTTP, REST and web sockets. The course focuses on applied server-side
programming in Python and makes extensive use of the Django web framework.
Students will develop a range of skills for building and understanding web server
programming. The module covers HTTP and HTML, CSS and JavaScript programming,
the Django web framework, security and common issues in deploying web sites. This will
allow students to develop skills across a range of web programming topics.

Course Goals and Objectives

The module introduces a variety of topics around contemporary web server

programming. Each topic explores both the theory and practice behind building different
parts of a web server. As part of the work, you will produce two coursework
assignments, which focus on using the skills that have been learnt to develop web
servers.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Explain the HTTP protocol and how to build a web server using Python
2. Understand and explain protocols on the web such as web sockets and REST
3. Use a variety of web APIs
4. explain and implement security features in a modern web framework

Textbook and Readings

Specific readings for each topic from the following list are included in the Reading pages
in each topic.

• Django
• Django documentation
• Django REST framework
• Django Channels
• Apache HTTP Server Project
Hall, Eric Internet Core Protocols: the Definitive Guide, O'Reilly Media, Incorporated,
2000.

Harrington, J.L. Relational Database Design and Implementation, Elsevier Science &
Technology, 2016.

Kumar, Akshi Web Technology: Theory and Practice, CRC Press LLC, 2018.

Course Outline

The course consists of ten topics divided into 20 weeks that focus on key concepts.

Topic 1: The Web Stack Key concepts:

In this topic you will learn about web
stacks and the MVC application design.

Learning outcomes:
• Write a basic Django application
that displays a simple message in
a web browser
• Install and configure Django
• Explain the main components of a
full stack webserver
Topic 2: Database schemas and ORMs Key concepts:
In this topic you will learn about SQL and
relational databases. You will also learn
about ORM.

Learning outcomes:
• Create and alter databases using
migrations
• Describe how the Django ORM
maps function calls to SQL
queries
• Create simple relational databases
to model a variety of data
Topic 3: Interaction through serving Key concepts:
HTML, CSS and JavaScript In this topic you will learn about web
framework user interaction and HTML
templating languages.

Learning outcomes:
• Lay out simple webpages
• Use Django forms and validators
to accept user input
• Use a templating language to
generate dynamic web pages
Topic 4: Build a CRUD and RESTful API Key concepts:
(part 1) In this topic you will learn about REST,
CRUD and Django REST framework. You
will also learn about unit testing.

Learning outcomes:
• Use Django REST framework to
build a simple REST API
• Explain how CRUD relates to
REST
• Explain REST
• Explain CRUD
Topic 5: Build a CRUD and RESTful API Key concepts:
(part 2) In this topic you will learn about AJAX and
single page applications.

Learning outcomes:
• Build a REST API from a
specification document
• Build a single page application
• Use JavaScript to use a server-
side API
• Describe AJAX
Topic 6: Asynchronous Web Services Key concepts:
In this topic you will learn about Celery
and adding Celery to Django. You will
also learn about Django channels.

Learning outcomes:
• Describe the web sockets
standard
• Implement web sockets using
Django channels
• Write code that interacts with a
WebSocket server
• Use a JavaScript framework to
build a web sockets frontend
Topic 7: Working with external APIs Key concepts:
In this topic you will learn about web APIs
and OpenAPIs.

Learning outcomes:
• Describe different types of API on
the internet
• Use the command line and
JavaScript to interact with different
APIs
• Describe OpenAPI and how it is
used
Topic 8: User authentication and security Key concepts:
 In this topic you will learn about web APIs
and Django Authentication.

Learning outcomes:
• Describe a user authentication
model for web applications
• Implement and use Django User
Authentication
• Describe several common security
vulnerabilities in web apps and
their solution
Topic 9: Deploying a website Key concepts:
In this topic you will learn about
production deployment and deployment
automation.

Learning outcomes:
• Configure a production webserver
• Configure a [Django] web
application for production
deployment
• Describe some common
deployment automation tools.
Topic 10: Load balancing, scalability Key concepts:
In this topic you will learn about profiling a
web application.

Learning outcomes:
• Explain how to profile a web
application
• Explain how to configure a
production deployment to be load
balanced
• Describe common approaches to
scalable web application design

Learning Activities of This Course

The course comprises the following elements:

Lecture videos will include overviews and discussions of topics as well as practical
examples of working with different data types, formats, tools and techniques.

Practice quizzes will be used to reinforce your learning and understanding.

Activities drive the work that you do for each topic, where you are asked to solve
challenges of different types.
Graded assignments include a small practical coursework assignment and a large
practical coursework assignment.

Discussions with your peers will help to guide your work and encourage you to explore
different types of solutions to problems.

Readings will help to reinforce your learning of concepts. The course has one main text
and is supplemented by documentation to help with practical elements.

How to Pass This Course

The module will contain a range of summative and formative assessments. Summative
assessments are assessments which contribute directly towards your final grade.
Formative assessments do not count directly towards your final grade. Instead, they
provide you with opportunities for low stakes practice and will often provide some sort of
feedback about your progress. For example, a practice quiz might provide you with
feedback about why a particular answer was wrong.

The course has two major assessments. Both assessments are worth 50% of your
grade:

• Coursework 1: this consists of a project which will be assessed halfway through

course (approximate deadline in week 13)

• Coursework 2: this also consists of a project which will be assed at the end of the
course (approximate deadline in week 22).

This is a detailed breakdown of all the marks:

Activity Required? Deadline Estimated time % of final

(Summative) week per course grade

Yes Approximately 10 hours 50%

Written, staff week 13
graded
coursework 1

Written, staff Yes Approximately 20 hours 50%

graded week 22
coursework 2