Index_C

JavaScript-Specific Features of the Center Park Web Site

As you've seen over the past few chapters, the Center Park Web site has several JavaScriptspecific features that elevate it above a regular "static" Web site. Specifically, and as you've seen over the past few chapters, those features are as follows:

Note

The following list was originally presented in Chapter 14, which was the Center Park "preview" chapter. We are presenting this list once again, so you can use it as a "review checklist" for how the described functionality was actually implemented within the Center Park Web site. Then, the individual headings in this chapter will discuss each functional component in more detail.

• Dynamic calendars. Students have asked to be able to view their homework assignments "at a glance," and to be able to do so in weekly and monthly increments; moreover, important dates for the operation of the school year (start/ending dates, vacations, meetings, etc.) need to be communicated via the site. The site will require several dynamic calendars, so that users of the site can locate the information when they want and in the fashion (weekly, monthly) they want.

• A test and survey feature. Administrators of the school recently visited a sister school in another district and were impressed to see that school performing online testing. This feature has proven very useful as a method of assessment for advancedstanding students in continuing education, as well as (through some fairly simple modification of the code) a means of gathering information via online surveys. The Center Park administrators would like such a feature for their Web site.

• An online store. As with all things education, fund-raising is critical to ensuring that the important programs and initiatives of the school continue despite the omnipresent red pen of the local, state, and federal legislature. Center Park administrators have requested that the site feature some type of online store at which orders for various fund-raising items can be placed at any time of day or night. To help further facilitate this online store, the administrators have also requested that basic financial calculators be included on the site so that visitors and members can perform quick price calculations.

• Secure, members-only access. Many of the features of the site, while open to the general public (e.g. the online store), will require secure access for current students and faculty only. In order to ensure that the information deemed confidential can remain as such, you will need to utilize some of the security features of JavaScript coding.

• Rotating banner advertisements. Not surprisingly, several organizations within the school (e.g. the sports teams, the band, and various student clubs) have asked for advertising space on the site so that visitors can be aware of their activities. Several of the rotating-banner ads will provide links to specific sections of the site, so being able to hyperlink within the ads will be a critical.

• Bold, attractive appearance. Finally, all of the above-mentioned functionality, as well as the general look and feel of the site, must be as eye-pleasing as possible. To that end, the site will also include various dynamic HTML (DHTML) effects.

Within each of the sections in this chapter, the functionality will be reviewed; however, the focus will also be to determine if the project goal (i.e. the requested functionality) was met, and to determine what additional features might be added in the future (and—critically—what user functional requirements might drive the development of these additional features).

Note

This wrap-up chapter has been written as if it were a "post-project" review. As you read through it, imagine yourself in the role of JavaScript Web developer (which you now are, after reading this book!), meeting with the Center Park administrators. Your job in this customer follow-up meeting, then, is to "sell" your own work (that is, show how the final product has met their pre-project requirements) but at the same time keep an open ear for (and make note of) potential future changes, which would add to the functionality of the site.