This preparation module helps students to get basic skills and knowledge which are necessary for a FrontEnd developer. Later those skills will be used during mobile app development.

So, Module 1 includes basics of HTML, CSS and Javascript.

Part 1. HTML and CSS Basics

Students will learn how to describe the structure of a page using HTML tags (special markers that are read by browser) and to style the page using CSS.

Topics to be covered include:

• basic HTML tags and attributes
• CSS basics, block model
• CSS selectors
• elements design
• margins and indents
• block layout order
• layout results testing
• blocks size and position control on a page
• flexbox technology
• basic animation
• basic developer tools

Part 2. JavaScript basics

During introduction into JavaScript, students will get familiar with the language syntax, master developer console, learn to debug and check code for errors. Students will also study event loop, interaction with the DOM browser, callback functions. JavaScript is based on the modern standard ECMAScript 6 (2015).

Topics to be covered include:

• basic and object data types
• types conversion
• variables and their naming rules
• conditions, operators, arrays, cycles, functions, working with dates and time
• introduction to browser events
• work with timers, localStorage
• scope, closure
• call context
• error handling

OOP in JavaScript – constructor-functions, prototypes, classes.

Students will also work with the Git version control system starting from this module and for the rest of the course.

After completing Module 1, students will be able to create their first landing page with the required layout and interactive behavior.

During this module, students will gain basic skills of working with React.JS – one of the most popular front-end libraries that is going to be used in mobile applications developments later in Module dedicated to React Native.

Students will study nested components, interaction with the DOM browser, creation of the first SPA (Single Page Application) web application using React Router v4 and also will master asynchronous requests to the server.

Topics to be covered include:

• using the npm batch manager
• creation of the first application using create-react-app
• nested components creation
• Virtual DOM, keys and refs
• component state and props, type checking using propTypes
• component life cycle
• writing functional components using React hooks
• HTTP, REST, AJAX, JSON, server interaction
• fetch, axios, cookies, async / await
• creating a SPA using a React Router
• Context API

Students will create their first mobile application using ReactNative and Expo.

The module will provide an understanding and skills of code structuring, data management and popular Redux / mobx application state management technologies.

Topics to be covered include:

• Introduction to mobile development. Creating the first react-native hello world application. Expo.io
• React-native layout basics. Layout by design.
• Code processing for different platforms (Android, iOS). CSS in JS, animations
• MVC, HOC usage, Render props, Prop Types
• React-native routing, multi-screen application writing, authorization, push messages
• Application state management (local state, mobx, redux)
• Networking, Api middleware, application error handling
• User input processing, controlled and uncontrolled inputs, throttling and debouncing
• react-hooks, functional programming basics, Context API (hooks)

After completing Module 3, students will create the first React Native mobile application that will work with a real server.

Native ReactNative development is going to be studied during this module.

Students will get acquainted with:

• an approach to project organization and its architecture
• software development lifecycle (especially mobile applications)
• basics of collecting user action analytics and user feedback
• automation of routine mobile application development processes: new build, automatic regression and distribution options for users / testers.

Upon completion Module 4, students will create a full-fledged, ready-to-publish application that will run on iOS and Android. It will be an application that is easy to maintain, extend, debug and publish to app stores. The automatic project build system, project reporting and analytics will be used. The application will work with a real server via the HTTP API.

In addition to the 4 core modules, program include 2 specialized workshops:

• Mobile application development using backendless technology firebase-firefunctions.
• Job interview simulation for the React Native Developer position.