This is a repository taking ideas from @rdhyee's 2014 Working with Open Data class. We present the basics of using Javascript to plot and map things, starting with IPython notebooks, then graduating to understanding how you'd coordinate that on your own with a server.
This course won't use much python. BUT, it turns out the IPython notebook is a generally useful place to write all kinds of code. JavaScript can melt your brain. IPython can cool it off.
We'll also use the python interpreter to lauch a SimpleHTTPServer, this will provide us with a simple example of how we might work in a "real" networked situation.
There are many resources to learning javascript. The following is probably not the best, but it (like the IPython notebook) provides an executable textbook:
Eloquent Javascript (2nd ed. preview)
JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It's not so hard to understand the structure once you get used to it, and this online editor can help you explore it while you're getting started, and might even become a part of your toolbox!
JSON is used in all kinds of situations - often where folks may have historically used XML. For example, the IPython Notebook files (.ipynb) are stored in JSON format.
SVG XML format for vector graphics Vector Graphics “Like Illustrator”
- First pass at some D3
- Intro to some easier high-level libraries
- Dimple.js (and friends)
- How to spin up a server quickly from the command line
- Intro to mapping
- Good Architecture for mapping
- Using developer features of the browser
python -m SimpleHTTPServer
Go inside the static directory before firing up the web server!
It'll be very useful to learn how to use CSS selectors, they are used to select the portion of the HTML (and SVG) code that your JavaScript will operate on. This is a CSS selector tutorial for novices
The VM for the class is set up to support SSH access over port 2222 and HTTP
access via port 8000 -- both on localhost / 127.0.0.1. For example, you can open
up a browser in your “host” OS and type localhost:8000 into the web browser
navigation bar.
From command line (Terminal, Git Bash):
ssh -p 2222 ct@localhost
Or you can use Putty, etc. and type the appropriate bits into the appropriate fields. Contact me if you have trouble with this. If you're going to do serious development on Windows, I highly recommend installing Git for Windows, and using the Git Bash tool (if you have strange errors with Git Bash, downgrade to the previous version).