Web Backend
Why?
Like basic web design, this isn't a core data science requirement. However, understanding server-side programming and databases can be valuable if you plan to build interactive data applications. This knowledge allows you to create custom data collection systems, interactive dashboards, or web-based analytics tools that go beyond what's possible with visualization libraries alone. For those interested in full-stack data applications, these skills complement your data science expertise.
What?
This course builds on web fundamentals to teach server-side programming with PHP and MySQL. You will learn how to create dynamic web applications that interact with databases, process form data, implement user authentication, and handle data validation. The course covers PHP syntax and programming concepts, database integration, and how to build functional web applications that can store and retrieve data.
Curriculum:
Web Fundamentals
Overview of essential web concepts including domains, hosting services, content management systems (CMS), and the difference between static and dynamic websites.
PHP Basics
Introduction to PHP syntax, embedding PHP in HTML, variables, operators, comments, and basic output methods. Setting up a development environment for PHP programming.
PHP Data Types
Working with different data types in PHP, including strings, numbers, boolean, arrays, objects, NULL, and resource types. Type conversion and type checking in PHP.
Conditional Statements
Creating decision structures in PHP using if, else, elseif, switch statements, and the ternary operator. Implementing logical conditions and control flow in web applications.
PHP Functions
Defining and using functions in PHP, parameters, return values, variable scope, anonymous functions, and built-in PHP functions for common web development tasks.
PHP Arrays
Working with indexed, associative, and multidimensional arrays in PHP. Array manipulation, sorting, searching, and using array functions for data processing.
PHP Regular Expressions
Using regular expressions in PHP for pattern matching, form validation, and text processing. Regex syntax, pattern modifiers, and PHP regex functions.
PHP Forms
Creating and processing HTML forms with PHP, handling form submissions, implementing form validation, and maintaining state between requests using sessions and cookies.
MySQL Database
Introduction to MySQL databases, SQL basics, creating and managing database tables, connecting to databases from PHP, and performing CRUD operations on data.
PHP and XML
Working with XML in PHP, parsing XML documents, generating XML output, and exchanging data between applications using XML formats and PHP's XML processing capabilities.
Notes
While Python is more common for data science applications, the server-side concepts and logic you'll learn here are essential and transfer to other languages. Those skills enable you to either build a backend that handles the logic of your data application, or wrap your AI model or data pipeline or whatever in an API, which are 2 main ways for your AI or data work to be deployed and used.
