Introduction

Whether on their smartphones or a desktop computer, the majority of people rely on web technologies on a daily basis for information about all sorts of things as well as connection to companies or organizations, and perhaps even friends and family. Linux powers the majority of the world's smartphones, web servers, and supercomputers. Linux is even the operating system of choice for the Space Station, so learning about Linux in any capacity is a smart move for your IT career.

The Linux Professional Institute (LPI) Web Development Essentials Study Guide: Exam 030-100 covers the knowledge that a beginner in web development will be expected to know, including how web servers and clients communicate, and front-end and back-end technologies. On the front-end, the part that the users see, the certification focuses on the following development tools:

• Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
• JavaScript (JS)
• Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)

On the back-end, where data is stored and manipulated, the certification focuses on the following:

• Node.js
• Node.js Express
• SQLite

Together, these provide the foundation you need to get up and running with web development. So, let's get started!

What Does This Book Cover?

This book covers the topics outlined in the LPI Web Development Essentials: Exam 030-100 available at www.lpi.org/our-certifications/web-development-essentials-overview.

• Chapter 1, "Web Development Basics" This chapter begins with an outline of the types of website development and developers as well as the types of programming languages. It also explains programming editors and editing environments, along with programming paradigms and version control systems.
• Chapter 2, "Client/Server Computing" The information in this chapter explains the relationship between a web client and a web server.
• Chapter 3, "Database Management Systems" This chapter provides an overview of database management systems and relational database concepts. Databases are the backbone of an interactive web page.
• Chapter 4, "Client/Server Communication" Here you learn how the client and server communicate-the communication begins with a request from the client to the server.
• Chapter 5, "HTML Introduction" In this chapter, you learn about the skeleton of an HTML page, which is what all web pages start with.
• Chapter 6, "Content Markup" This is your introduction to "marking up" the content to provide a web page's structure.
• Chapter 7, "References and Embedded Resources" Here you learn how to include images and references to other pages in your HTML page.
• Chapter 8, "Creating HTML Forms" This chapter shows you how to create input forms that enable your web page visitors to provide information and interact with your web page.
• Chapter 9, "Introducing CSS" This chapter introduces you to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) that provide the formatting of your web page content.
• Chapter 10, "Applying CSS Styles" Here you learn how the styles you created in Chapter 9 are applied to the page and what order they're applied in.
• Chapter 11, "CSS Styling Fundamentals" This chapter focuses on units of measure and common properties like color and font and how to use them.
• Chapter 12, "CSS Layout and Box Model" This chapter introduces you to the CSS box model and how to make text flow as you like between other elements.
• Chapter 13, "JavaScript Essentials" Here you are introduced to JavaScript and what it can do for your web page as well as how to attach your JavaScript file to an HTML file.
• Chapter 14, "JavaScript Data" In this chapter, you learn about the types of data that are used by JavaScript and the difference between variables and constants.
• Chapter 15, "Functions and Control Structures" You learn how to create functions and conditional statements in this chapter as well as examine data coercion and truthy and falsy values.
• Chapter 16, "The DOM" Here you focus entirely on the document object model (DOM), which is a method for specifying what element of the page you would like to use or have a style applied to.
• Chapter 17, "NodeJS Basics" This chapter moves us to the back-end of the website, where you learn how to use Node.js to program a server.
• Chapter 18, "NodeJS Express" Here you learn to use Node.js Express to route and serve files, use templates, and validate user input. You also explore the dangers of cross-site scripting and request forgery.
• Chapter 19, "Manipulating SQLite with NodeJS" In this final back-end chapter, you install and work with SQLite databases by entering, changing, and retrieving data.

Who Should Read This Book

As the title implies, this book is intended for people who have an interest in developing websites. Even if you're not planning to become certified (but you should consider it!), this book introduces you to the technologies that are most commonly used to build and maintain websites, and gives you some tips along the way. The topics covered are ubiquitous in the web development world. HTML, JavaScript, and CSS are the building tools for the front-end and Node.js and Node.js Express provide the runtime and framework for the back-end of websites. Regardless of your career trajectory, this book is an excellent place to start.

You don't need programming experience to work with the exercises in the book; the exercises are intended to explain the process to a novice.

The book assumes you have some experience with Linux operating systems, although even novice Linux users should be able to follow the instructions for installing and working with the tools presented. If you're typically a Microsoft Windows user, there are some suggestions in here for you as well. Working with the front-end technologies isn't much different regardless of the operating system, but you'll eventually want to have a Linux computer to practice with. Luckily Linux is free and will work on even most older computers.

Exam Tips

The LPI Web Development Essentials exam consists of 40 multiple choice/multiple answer questions. You'll have sixty minutes to complete the exam. Unlike some other certifications, this one doesn't expire, so once you've passed it, it's good for your lifetime.

Many of the questions ask you to select more than one answer, so be sure to read the questions carefully. Take your time, but remember that there is a time limit and you must submit the exam before the time runs out.

This exam is all multiple choice, but simulates the preciseness of writing code, so ensure that you know the syntax of the various commands presented in this book. Not only for the exam, but for your work as a web designer.

As with any exam, the sooner you take it after taking the course or reading the book, the more you'll remember. Devote yourself to studying in the week (or weeks) before the exam, but the night before, make sure you get a good night's sleep, and take a few minutes to relax before you go in.

Wishing you success!

Interactive Online Learning Environment and Test Bank

The author has worked hard to create some really great tools to help you with your certification process. The interactive online learning environment that accompanies the LPI Web Development Essentials Study Guide: Exam 030-100 includes a test bank with study tools to help you prepare for the certification exam-and increase your chances of passing it the first time! The test bank includes the following:

• Sample tests

  All the questions in this book are included online, including the assessment test at the end of this Introduction and the review questions at the end of each chapter. In addition, there is one custom practice exam with 100 questions. Use these questions to assess how you're likely to perform on the real exam. The online test bank runs on multiple devices.

• Flashcards

  The online text bank includes two sets of flashcards with over 100 questions each. They are specifically written to challenge you, so don't get discouraged if you don't ace your way through them at first. They're there to ensure that you're really ready for the exam. And no worries-armed with the review questions, practice exams, and flashcards, you'll be more than prepared when exam day comes. Questions are provided in digital flashcard format (a question followed by a single correct answer). You can use the flashcards to reinforce your learning and provide last-minute test prep before the exam.

• Glossary

  A glossary of key terms from this book is available as a fully searchable PDF.

Go to www.wiley.com/go/sybextestprep to register and gain access to this interactive online learning environment and test bank with study...