Module code: SET08101

Examples of equivalent learning: Basics of HTML, CSS, & JavaScript.

This module is about the web, what it is, what we can do with it, and what it might be like in the future.

Rather than focus on the user side of web technology, such as CSS and JavaScript, we take a more holistic approach. We investigate both the server and client side and how they work together, using established protocols, to provide a huge, robust, and flexible global information-processing network.

We begin by looking at HTTP (the core of all web technologies) and learn how APIs, Web Services, & RESTful architectures are built to move data around. We’ll then use this knowledge to build our own web applications and APIs. We make these concepts more concrete using Python, the Python-Flask micro-framework, and supporting WSGI capable servers to develop scalable, tuneable, robust, and secure user interfaces and APIs.

Along the way, we also delve into some topical discussions, starting with security & privacy on the web, then looking at adding intelligence (Semantic Web), adding increased, scalable interaction (Realtime Web) and private, anonymous, and un-censorable web-technologies (Dark Web). We then wrap up the module by examining a few technologies that might form the basis for future web capabilities such as Blockchain and IPFS.

Our aim is to develop advanced skills in building and effectively exploiting current web technologies, alongside an effective understanding of upcoming and potential future technologies.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

LO1: Understand the role of HTTP and related protocols in the design and efficient exploitation of robust and scalable services and APIs for the Internet and Web.

LO2: Evaluate the sensitivity of data gathered by your Web app and select appropriate tools and techniques to ensure its security and privacy.

LO3: Demonstrate effective use of client side scripting languages and libraries at an advanced level to produce a compelling user experience.

LO4: Demonstrate competence at an advanced level in the design, development, and evaluation of web applications and services using server-side languages, libraries, and tools.