Learning Server-side Programming through Game Development

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Learning Server-side Programming through Game Development

Instructor: Gibson Lam

Access provided by University of Warwick

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

6 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 6 modules in this course

This course offers a comprehensive understanding of web development, concentrating on essential server-side techniques. Topics include the HTTP protocol for browser-server communication, various methods of interaction between browsers and servers, and approaches for web application development.

Students will gain hands-on experience in web server development using Node.js. The course will cover related browser-side techniques such as utilizing HTML forms, structuring data with JSON, and asynchronous JavaScript programming using promises. Additionally, students will explore AJAX for server communication and different web application architectures, including Single Page Applications (SPAs), Multi-Page Applications (MPAs), RESTful APIs, and MVC architecture. The curriculum also introduces web authentication, cookie management, and real-time communication using WebSockets. Throughout the course, students will engage in practical programming exercises, culminating in the development of a multi-player game project. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to apply the technologies and skills they have acquired to create engaging and comprehensive web applications.

In this module, you will learn the fundamental HTTP process, which isessential for understanding browser-server communication. You will also discover how to build a web server using Node.js. Given the significant role of JSON in this communication, we will provide a brief introduction to it at the beginning of the module. Additionally, the module will conclude with a discussion on using HTML forms for sending information to the server.

What's included

13 videos8 readings1 assignment

13 videos Total 159 minutes

Course Overview 7 minutes
A Quick Look at JSON 9 minutes
The HTTP Process and the URL 14 minutes
Sending the HTTP Request 14 minutes
Replying With the HTTP Response 14 minutes
Processing the HTML Response 10 minutes
Getting Started With Node.js 10 minutes
Building a Basic Web Server Using Node.js and Express 14 minutes
Returning JSON Responses 15 minutes
What is an HTML Form? 10 minutes
Basic Form Elements 15 minutes
More Form Input Elements 10 minutes
Understanding the Query String 18 minutes

8 readings Total 115 minutes

Notes - A Quick Look at JSON 10 minutes
Notes - Basic HTTP Process 30 minutes
Notes - Getting Started With Node.js 10 minutes
Lesson Examples - Getting Started With Node.js 4 minutes
Notes - Building a Simple Server 20 minutes
Lesson Examples - Building a Simple Server 4 minutes
Notes - Using HTML Forms 35 minutes
Lesson Examples - Using HTML Forms 2 minutes

1 assignment Total 20 minutes

End of Module Quiz 1 20 minutes

In this module, you will learn how to use JavaScript promises and their associated programming techniques. You will apply these promises with AJAX, a method for acquiring server resources asynchronously. Next, you will be introduced to Single Page Applications (SPAs) and Multi-Page Applications (MPAs), two different approaches to building web applications. You will gain hands-on experience by exploring an example of building an SPA using AJAX and a Node.js web server.

What's included

13 videos7 readings1 assignment1 peer review

13 videos Total 166 minutes

Loading Images With Load Events 15 minutes
Cascading the Load Events 12 minutes
Using the Promise Object 12 minutes
Chaining the Promise Functions 19 minutes
Using the Await Keyword 9 minutes
Using Async Functions 14 minutes
What is AJAX? 6 minutes
Using the fetch() Function 18 minutes
Sending Data to Server 17 minutes
SPA and MPA 12 minutes
The Example Application 10 minutes
Adding HTML Using jQuery and Using the File System Module 14 minutes
The Server Endpoints 8 minutes

7 readings Total 225 minutes

Notes - Using JavaScript Promises 45 minutes
Lesson Examples - Using JavaScript Promises 2 minutes
Notes - AJAX 20 minutes
Lesson Examples - AJAX 4 minutes
Notes - A Single Page Application (SPA) Example 30 minutes
Lesson Examples - A Single Page Application (SPA) Example 4 minutes
Instructions - Card Game 120 minutes

1 assignment Total 20 minutes

End of Module Quiz 2 20 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Submission - Card Game 120 minutes

In this module, you will be introduced to cookies, which enable you to store small pieces of data in the browser. You will also learn how to use cookies in server-side programs, with Node.js web servers as examples. By working with cookies, you will discover methods for implementing web authentication in web applications. Finally, in addition to cookies, you will explore an alternative approach to storing information inside browsers.

What's included

14 videos7 readings1 assignment1 peer review

14 videos Total 159 minutes

What are Cookies? 13 minutes
Creating Cookies Using JavaScript 14 minutes
Cookies' Expiry Time 11 minutes
Using Cookies From the Server 16 minutes
Third-Party Cookies 9 minutes
Web Authentication 8 minutes
What is a Web Session? 12 minutes
Using Web Sessions in Express 12 minutes
Using Web Sessions for User Authentication 12 minutes
What is JWT? 10 minutes
Using JWT in Express 10 minutes
Using JWT for User Authentication 11 minutes
Storing Things on Browsers Using Local Storage and Session Storage 9 minutes
Two Examples Using the Storage Objects 12 minutes

7 readings Total 215 minutes

Notes - Cookies 30 minutes
Lesson Examples - Cookies 4 minutes
Notes - Basic Web Authentication 40 minutes
Lesson Examples - Basic Web Authentication 4 minutes
Notes - Storing Things on Browsers 15 minutes
Lesson Examples - Storing Things on Browsers 2 minutes
Instructions - Game Room 120 minutes

1 assignment Total 20 minutes

End of Module Quiz 3 20 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Submission - Game Room 120 minutes

In this module, you will learn about WebSocket and RESTful APIs, two essential technologies for web development. You will explore WebSocket for real-time communication between browsers and servers, utilizing Socket.IO for practical implementation in Node.js. Additionally, you will be introduced to RESTful APIs, with a focus on various HTTP methods and their applications through a practical example involving a library system.

What's included

13 videos5 readings1 assignment1 peer review

13 videos Total 161 minutes

Issues With Client Pull 10 minutes
The WebSocket Protocol 11 minutes
Using the Socket.IO Module in Node.js 11 minutes
Sending and Receiving Messages in the Server 13 minutes
Using WebSocket in the Browser 8 minutes
A Stock Ticker Example 12 minutes
Making Browser-to-Browser Communications 21 minutes
RESTful APIs 14 minutes
The Operations of RESTful APIs 14 minutes
Using the GET Method 11 minutes
Using the POST, PUT and PATCH Methods 16 minutes
Using the DELETE Method and Using fetch() 9 minutes
A Library System Example 10 minutes

5 readings Total 213 minutes

Notes - Using WebSocket 45 minutes
Lesson Examples - Using WebSocket 4 minutes
Notes - RESTful APIs 40 minutes
Lesson Examples - RESTful APIs 4 minutes
Instructions - Rock, Paper, Scissors! 120 minutes

1 assignment Total 20 minutes

End of Module Quiz 4 20 minutes

1 peer review Total 120 minutes

Submission - Rock, Paper, Scissors! 120 minutes

In this module, you will deepen your understanding of HTML forms, specifically focusing on using the POST method to handle file uploads and multi-part content in an Express web server. You will also get started with PHP, learning to write basic code, such as variables, control structures, and arrays. Finally, you will explore how PHP can be utilized to develop a RESTful server, building on an example covered in the previous module.

What's included

10 videos6 readings1 assignment

10 videos Total 126 minutes

Using the POST Method in HTML Forms 13 minutes
Handling File Uploads in Forms 11 minutes
Handling Multi-Part Content in Express 21 minutes
Introduction to PHP 8 minutes
Introduction to PHP 10 minutes
Writing PHP Code 8 minutes
PHP Statements and Variables 16 minutes
Control Structures and Arrays 12 minutes
Global Arrays 11 minutes
Using JSON and a RESTful Server Example 17 minutes

6 readings Total 92 minutes

Notes - Posting Form Data 25 minutes
Lesson Examples - Posting Form Data 4 minutes
Notes - Getting Started With PHP 25 minutes
Lesson Examples - Getting Started With PHP 4 minutes
Notes - Basic PHP 30 minutes
Lesson Examples - Basic PHP 4 minutes

1 assignment Total 20 minutes

End of Module Quiz 5 20 minutes

In this module, you will learn how to build a Multi-Page Application (MPA) using template engines and the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture. You will explore the EJS template engine and how to pass variables to views for dynamic content generation. Additionally, you will gain practical experience in developing a web application using the MVC framework, through a stage-by-stage development of an example stock application.