The aim of this unit is to enable learners to understand and use web server scripting and investigate the common issues surrounding its use.
When designing and building websites, a key issue for developers is the amount of control they can exert over how tasks are carried out. Client-side scripting embedded in web pages can give additional functionality but, because the code is executed after the page has been loaded, there is little control and this approach can lead to hacking vulnerabilities and errors.
Learners will understand the principles of server-side web scripting and be able to create functionality using a web server script. Learners should also understand the security and ethical issues surrounding this area of IT.
| Course Code: | NE38 | Fee €350 |
Exam fee:€25 |
| Duration: | Six classes |
Awarding Body |  |
| Start Dates: 2 intakes/yr | January/February | Next Starts Date: January | |
| Entry Requirement: | Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years old |
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| Award |
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Learning outcomes:
On completion of this unit a learner should:
Unit Content
Understand the principles of web server scripting
Web server scripting languages: server-side versus client-side; web server scripting languages eg ASP, JSP,
PHP, Cold Fusion, Perl, Ruby on Rails, Django
Functionality: functions eg shopping cart, reserve order, manage user profile, web content management,
upload files, website analysis
Features: advantages eg interpreted scripts as alternative to compiled code, run as lower overhead code
inside web server plugins, hide web server interface inside economical APIs; disadvantages eg increased
complexity, reduced performance, code is interpreted not compiled
Accessibility: features eg alternative text, resizable fonts, support for screen readers, adjustable fonts.
Be able to use web server scripting
Programming: functionality eg file manipulation such as uploading, security features such as login systems
and error logging, accessing databases, generating statistics, environmental arguments
Documentation: requirements specification; internally documented code
Testing and debugging: test plan structure eg test, date, expected result, actual result, corrective action;
error messages; other eg specialist software debugging tools
Understand the issues affecting web server scripting
Security: specific problems eg coding vulnerabilities, bad scripting leaving backdoors, SSL, password
liabilities Ethical: issues eg scanning PCs without consent, faking statistics to obtain advertising deals based on visitor
numbers.
Unit Assessment
Assessment takes the form of written assignments, observations, in-class tests, verbal assessment and projects
To gain the unit learners must achieve, as a minimum, the Pass grade; the Pass grade is in effect the gaining of the credit for the unit, and this contributes to the overall qualification grade. All units must be passes within the rules of combination to achieve the overall qualification.
The table below shows the number of points scored per credit at the unit level and grade
| Level | Points per credit | ||
| Pass | Merit | Distinction | |
| 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 6 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Learners who achieve the correct number of points within the ranges shown in the 'qualification grade' tables below will achieve the qualification Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction* grades (or combinations of these grades appropriate to the qualification).
