Module 7

Creative Project

The goal of the creative project is for you to learn a new framework or language that you may be interested in. This is a good opportunity to get a head start on learning the frameworks/languages your employer/potential employer uses.

You’re free to choose which frameworks/languages you’ll use, and you’ll earn more points for learning more or harder frameworks, but you’re required to learn at least one new framework/technology.

As an example:

You cannot use the combination of Plain HTML/JavaScript (frontend), PHP (backend), and MySQL (Database) because we've covered those extensively in class.

You could, however, use React.JS (frontend), PHP, and MySQL, because your React front end would be new.

Creating Your Rubric

Before creating a rubric, you should come up with an idea for a site you want to build. From there, check here for guidance on which frameworks/languages to learn for your project and for links on how to get started with each.

As a general structure, your project will consist of:

• Front end
• Backend
• Database
• Styling
• Best practices

(Though note that using all may not be necessary for your project! Reallocate as you need)

General Rubric Guidelines

Your rubric will add up to 100 points (including the 5 points earned for submitting your rubric on time). For each component of your stack, you can allocate the following numbers of points:

• 5 points for creating a rubric and uploading it to bitbucket on time (yes, we will be checking your commit timestamps!)
• [10 - 40] points: Learning and implementing new framework(s).
• Functionality
  • Think about what's happening in your front end, backend, and database that creates functionality. See example rubric.
• 5 points: Best Practices
  • Code well formatted
  • HTML output passes the validator
• [0 - 20] points: Creative Portion
• [0 - 5] points: Styling. "Looks really cool" or "Used Bootstrap" would not earn any points. Learning and implementing SCSS/SASS, animations, or making your page responsive/mobile-friendly would.

Note that exceptions can be made to these guidelines, but make sure to get approval from a TA.

Points you can allocate for frameworks

Because some stacks have a higher learning curve, more points will be earned for using them. Use the following as a guide:

• React, Vue, Angular, and other frontend frameworks : 10
• Express (Node.js framework), Laravel, Bottle, Flask, other back-end micro frameworks: 10
• Full stack frameworks like Django (python): 20
• Learning a new database system:
  • Mongo DB: 10
  • Firebase: 5 (lower learning curve)
  • Other SQL Databases (Postgres, MariaDB): 5

Example Rubric

Say your project idea is to re-create Bitly (the URL shortener), where shortened URLs expire after 1 week, but users can purchase the shortened URL (using stripe) for it to work forever. You decide you want to use Vue for your frontend, Laravel for your backend, and a MySQL database. Your rubric could look like the following:

Languages/Frameworks used (20 points)

• 10 - Learned/Used Vue.js frontend
• 10 - Learned/Used PHP Laravel backend
• 0 - MySQL Database

Functionality (60 points)

• 5 Users can input a url and receive a shortened url that redirects to it.
• 10 Url redirect lasts 1 week before the shortened link doesn't work
• 10 Users can register, login, and logout
• 10 Logged in users can edit and delete their shortened URLs
• 15 Logged in users can purchase a shortened URL via Stripe integration
• 10 Database contains Users, Links, and Purchases with the necessary columns and column types to maintain the above functionality

Best Practices (5 points)

• 3 Code is readable and well formatted
• 2 All pages pass the html validator

Grading

Assignments must be committed to Bitbucket by the end of class on the due date (commit early and often). Failing to commit by the end of class on the due date will result in a 0.

___________

Your project will be graded in person during the last week of classes, using the rubric you create.

___________