Introduction to the principles of commercial e-commerce programming tasks. The unit explores the purposes and approaches in using scripting and markup languages in relation to the client-server paradigm. The role of both server-side and client-side code are examined.
The unit will also build upon student's previous study of database systems. Students will study the use of markup and scripting programming languages to connect to databases via a network.
Objectives
On completion of the unit students will:
have an understanding of the fundamental principles and breadth of commercial, e-business and e-commerce programming tasks;
have experience in using their programming skills in a number of different environments such as Linux, Unix or Windows, while being aware that their fundamental programming approaches remain valid;
have their understanding of and skills in top-down code development enhanced;
have knowledge of mark-up languages and scripting languages, and skill in creating applications using these;
understand the client-server paradigm;
be able to develop and code solutions to typical web-based commercial programming problems using markup and scripting languages, in a client-server paradigm;
further develop skills in creating suitable and thorough test harnesses;
have a sound understanding of the fundamental principles of web service strategies.
be aware of basic security issues when developing and hosting Internet-based applications.
Prerequisites
Before attempting this unit you must have satisfactorily completed GCO2815 or equivalent.
Unit relationships
GCO2811 is a core unit in the Business Systems major and the Systems Development major of the Bachelor of Information Technology.
You may not study this unit and CPE3002, CSE2030, MMS2802, BUS1042 in your degree.
Texts and software
Required text(s)
Chris Bates Web Programming: Building Internet Applications, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 2006, ISBN: 0-470-01775-9
David Lash Web Wizard's Guide to Perl and CGI, 1/e, Addison Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 0201764369
David Lash Web Wizard's Guide to PHP, 1/e, Addison Wesley, 2003 ISBN: 0321121740
Textbook availability
Text books are available from the Monash University Book Shops. Availability from other suppliers cannot be assured. The Bookshop orders texts in specifically for this unit. You are advised to purchase your text book early.
Software requirements
PHP 4.3.10 MySQL 4.0.24 PERL 5.8.4 Xitami Personal Webserver 2.4d11
(For Gippsland students, the above software will be available on GUS)
Mozilla Firefox Netscape Navigator 8.0 Microsoft IE
Software may be:
downloaded from GCO2811 (FIT2029) unit website (MUSO)
Hardware requirements
Students studying off-campus are required to have the minimum system configuration specified by the Faculty as a condition of accepting admission, and regular Internet access. On-campus students, and those studying at supported study locations may use the facilities available in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook. You will need to allocate up to n hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.
Recommended reading
Chris Bates Web Programming: Building Internet Applications, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 2006, ISBN: 0-470-01775-9
David Lash Web Wizard's Guide to Perl and CGI, 1/e, Addison Wesley, 2003, ISBN: 0201764369
David Lash Web Wizard's Guide to PHP, 1/e, Addison Wesley, 2003 ISBN: 0321121740
Library access
You may need to access the Monash library either personally to be able to satisfactorily complete the subject. Be sure to obtain a copy of the Library Guide, and if necessary, the instructions for remote access from the library website.
Study resources
Study resources for GCO2811 are:
The GCO2811 web site on MUSO, where lecture slides, weekly tutorial requirements, assignment specifications, sample solutions and supplementary material will be posted. This web site also contains:
the Unit Book containing 11 Study Guides (in .pdf format).
newsgroups / discussion forums
This Unit Information outlining the administrative information for the unit
The timetable for on-campus classes for this unit can be viewed in Allocate+
Assessment
Assessment weighting
Assessment for the unit consists of 2 assignments with a weighting of 40% and an examination with a weighting of 60%. Read this section VERY carefully.
Assessment Policy
To pass this unit you must:
attempt all assignments and the examination
score at least 50% of the possible marks for the unit
achieve no less than 40% of the total available marks for the assignments overall, and the examination
Your score for the unit will be calculated by:
Final grade = min(A+10, E+10, E*R+A*(1-R)) where:
A=overall assignment percentage
E=examination percentage
R= exam weighting (0.6)
The intention of the formula is to weight the marks in such a way as to encourage consistent effort in both assignments and the examination
Assessment Requirements
Assessment
Due Date
Weighting
AA1 Putting it online
14/04/07
15%
AA2 Advanced Programming
21/05/07
25 %
The exam is 3 hours long and is closed book.
Exam period (S1/07) starts on 07/06/07
60 %
Assignment specifications will be made available FIT2029/GCO2811 Unit Web Site Assignment Page (MUSO).
Assignment Submission
All Gippsland student assignments will be submitted by electronic submission to wfsubmit.its.monash.edu.au. Malaysia students will submit their assignment to their local unit advisor(s).
Do not email submissions. The due date is the date by which the submission must be received/the date by which the the submission is to be posted.
Extensions and late submissions
Late submission of assignments
Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% for each day an assignment is late, up until the cutoff date. No assignment will be accepted after the cutoff date (usually 1 week after the due date).
This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.
Extensions
It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are seldom regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions.
Requests for extensions must be made by email to the unit lecturer at least two days before the due date. You will be asked to forward original medical certificates in cases of illness, and may be asked to provide other forms of documentation where necessary. A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.
Grading of assessment
Assignments, and the unit, will be marked and allocated a grade according to the following scale:
Grade
Percentage/description
HD High Distinction -
very high levels of achievement, demonstrated knowledge and understanding, skills in application and high standards of work encompassing all aspects of the tasks.
In the 80+% range of marks for the assignment.
D Distinction -
high levels of achievement, but not of the same standards. May have a weakness in one particular aspect, or overall standards may not be quite as high.
In the 70-79% range.
C Credit -
sound pass displaying good knowledge or application skills, but some weaknesses in the quality, range or demonstration of understanding.
In the 60-69% range.
P Pass
acceptable standard, showing an adequate basic knowledge, understanding or skills, but with definite limitations on the extent of such understanding or application. Some parts may be incomplete.
In the 50-59% range.
N Not satisfactory
failure to meet the basic requirements of the assessment.
Below 50%.
Assignment return
We will aim to have assignment results made available to you within two weeks after assignment receipt.
Feedback
Feedback to you
You will receive feedback on your work and progress in this unit. This feedback may be provided through your participation in tutorials and class discussions, as well as through your assignment submissions. It may come in the form of individual advice, marks and comments, or it may be provided as comment or reflection targeted at the group. It may be provided through personal interactions, such as interviews and on-line forums, or through other mechanisms such as on-line self-tests and publication of grade distributions.
Feedback from you
You will be asked to provide feedback to the Faculty through a Unit Evaluation survey at the end of the semester. You may also be asked to complete surveys to help teaching staff improve the unit and unit delivery. Your input to such surveys is very important to the faculty and the teaching staff in maintaining relevant and high quality learning experiences for our students.
And if you are having problems
It is essential that you take action immediately if you realise that you have a problem with your study. The semester is short, so we can help you best if you let us know as soon as problems arise. Regardless of whether the problem is related directly to your progress in the unit, if it is likely to interfere with your progress you should discuss it with your lecturer or a Community Service counsellor as soon as possible.
Plagiarism and cheating
Plagiarism and cheating are regarded as very serious offences. In cases where cheating has been confirmed, students have been severely penalised, from losing all marks for an assignment, to facing disciplinary action at the Faculty level. While we would wish that all our students adhere to sound ethical conduct and honesty, I will ask you to acquaint yourself with Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Faculty regulations that apply to students detected cheating as these will be applied in all detected cases.
In this University, cheating means seeking to obtain an unfair advantage in any examination or any other written or practical work to be submitted or completed by a student for assessment. It includes the use, or attempted use, of any means to gain an unfair advantage for any assessable work in the unit, where the means is contrary to the instructions for such work.
When you submit an individual assessment item, such as a program, a report, an essay, assignment or other piece of work, under your name you are understood to be stating that this is your own work. If a submission is identical with, or similar to, someone else's work, an assumption of cheating may arise. If you are planning on working with another student, it is acceptable to undertake research together, and discuss problems, but it is not acceptable to jointly develop or share solutions unless this is specified by your lecturer.
Intentionally providing students with your solutions to assignments is classified as "assisting to cheat" and students who do this may be subject to disciplinary action. You should take reasonable care that your solution is not accidentally or deliberately obtained by other students. For example, do not leave copies of your work in progress on the hard drives of shared computers, and do not show your work to other students. If you believe this may have happened, please be sure to contact your lecturer as soon as possible.
Cheating also includes taking into an examination any material contrary to the regulations, including any bilingual dictionary, whether or not with the intention of using it to obtain an advantage.
Plagiarism involves the false representation of another person's ideas, or findings, as your own by either copying material or paraphrasing without citing sources. It is both professional and ethical to reference clearly the ideas and information that you have used from another writer. If the source is not identified, then you have plagiarised work of the other author. Plagiarism is a form of dishonesty that is insulting to the reader and grossly unfair to your student colleagues.
Communication
Communication methods
Communication with the Unit Lecturer of GCO2811 will usually be in the form of email, newgroup postings or telephone. Oncampus students can also make use of lecture, tutorial and consultation times.
If your enquiries are of a personal nature, such as a request for assignment extension, special consideration requests, or the need to discuss your personal progress, you are encourage to send an email directly to the Unit Lecturer.
All communication related to the subject content must be conducted via the MUSO forums. If you do send me an email that relates to the content of the unit it will not be answered. You are certainly not be asked to put anything of a personal nature into your newsgroup postings.
Notices
Notices related to the unit during the semester will be placed on the Notices Newsgroup in the Unit Website. Check this regularly. Failure to read the Notices newsgroup is not regarded as grounds for special consideration.
Consultation Times
To Be Announced
If direct communication with your unit adviser/lecturer or tutor outside of consultation periods is needed you may contact the lecturer and/or tutors at:
Dr Raymond Smith Lecturer Phone +61 3 990 26462
All email communication to you from your lecturer will occur through your Monash student email address. Please ensure that you read it regularly, or forward your email to your main address. Also check that your contact information registered with the University is up to date in My.Monash.
