Powys County Council has developed a series of workshops on the production of interactive, database-driven websites using popular Open Source applications, with the PHP programming language as the core element. These workshops were originally developed with support from Llwybr Pathway and the Mid Wales TEC. |
|
The increasing sophistication of web sites requires an equal growth in the skills of those developing and supporting such sites. A significant number of small businesses based on web development exist in Mid Wales, and projects such as PowysWeb have shown the potential local market waiting to be tapped. But in order to move forwards with existing customers, and compete successfully for new customers requiring more advanced web sites, web developers in Mid Wales need to develop their skills into those areas needed to provide the increasing levels of interactivity and information handling. The key technologies are "server-side processes": computer programs that build the web page you see "on-the-fly" based on information held in databases, documents or other forms of computer storage. These workshops therefore work with the Apache Web server (accounting for over 60% of all web sites on the Internet), the Linux operating system, SQL database servers (using MySQL) and the PHP server-side scripting language to equip web developers with the skills necessary to move into development of interactive web content. |
|
There is an emphasis on learning from other participants. Whilst the main tutor is there to lead sessions, and provide coverage of the core material, significant benefits are derived from relating the general principles to specific applications known to participants. There is a "hands-on" focus, with the emphasis on proving understanding by actually producing interactive web-based systems rather than theoretical learning. Benefits come from group discussion of the often very different approaches taken by participants in these practical tasks. There are often no "right" solutions, but comparing alternative approaches usually illustrates where some approaches are more effective than others. |