CSIS 314 Client–Server Systems

---

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to constructing complete information systems based on the client–server model. On the client side, we introduce graphical user-interfaces, their design and implementation, as well as commonly used tools such as database access clients and report generators. On the server side, we introduce database management systems and the use of server-side programming tools that provide connectivity for clients and access to database systems. Along the way, students are introduced to the basics of distributed computing and computer networks.

CSIS 314 is supported by GitHub Education and the GitHub Education Student Developer Pack.

Instructor

J. Walker Orr, Ph.D.
Office hours: WMR 216 (see schedule)

Texts

required

• B. Forta, Teach Yourself SQL in 10 Minutes, 3rd Ed. Indianapolis, IN: Sams Publishing, 2004.
  ISBN: 0-672-32567-5

Resources

• Mailing list
• W3Schools - a great reference for everything related to the web
• PostgreSQL documentation
• PHP Manual
• Learn Git in 15 minutes
• Arc REST Client
• Postman REST Client
• Environment setup
• JSON Reference
• In-class exercises
• Connecting to the class web server
• Vim cheat sheet and tutorial

---

Objectives

Students will put their programming skills to use in constructing a complete end-to-end information system solution. This will often be their first opportunity to construct a non-trivial system of software.

Students will be introduced to a number of topics that are covered in more detail in other courses. This introduction serves two purposes:

• It gives all students exposure to important technologies and components (e.g., networks, database systems and languages, clients, middleware development tools).
• Students will be better prepared to choose follow-on courses that explore some of these topics in much greater detail, improving their ability to tailor their degree.

---

Course Organization

In addition to regular lectures and written assignments, this course will include a substantial programming project that will result in the construction of a complete end-to-end information system solution. Programming assignments may be carried out in one or more prescribed high-level languages. Instruction in the use of these languages will be provided.

Collaboration

See the GFU CS/IS/Cyber policies for collaboration and discussion of collaboration and academic integrity. Most students would be surprised at how easy it is to detect collaboration in programming—please do not test us! Remember: you always have willing and legal collaborators in the faculty.

Almost all of life is filled with collaboration (i.e., people working together). Yet in our academic system, we artificially limit collaboration. These limits are designed to force you to learn fundamental principles and build specific skills. It is very artificial but intensional for your own benefit. The only way for you to learn is by doing the work.

To be clear, do not:

• Copy other students work
• Copy code from an online sources such as Stack Overflow
• Generate code with "AI" tools such as ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot

Engineering Your Soul

The mission and vision statement of the Computer Science & Information Systems (CSIS) program states that our students are distinctive by "bringing a Christ-centered worldview to our increasingly technological world."

As one step towards the fulfillment of this objective, each semester, the engineering faculty will collectively identify an influential Christian writing to be read and reflected upon by all engineering faculty and students throughout the term. As part of the College of Engineering, CSIS students participate in this effort, known as Engineering Your Soul (EYS). This exercise will be treated as an official component of every engineering course (including CSIS courses) and will be uniquely integrated and assessed at my discretion, typically as a component of the quiz grade.

Students have three options for satisfying the EYS requirement.

• Attend and post a reflection for the regular meetings scheduled throughout the semester . If you attend the meetings, you be prepared to discuss the material. These meetings also count for chapel elective credit.
• Read the book and write a brief reflection for each quarter of the readings.
• Read another student's post and write a response post.

The deadline for all of these options is the Wednesday the week after the group meetings.

All the reflections should be posted to the canvas EYS course. A reflection should be 100 or more words and should consist of your personal thoughts on the book and/or meeting, not simply a summary of the book.

Spiritual Formation

Besides EYS, I am always available to discuss the Christian faith if you have any questions or doubts. Send me an email, come by my office hours, or talk to my after class, Christ is the reason I am at GFU, I always have time to talk about faith.

---

Grading

The final course grade will be based on:

Grading Scale

• 50% Homework
• 30% Programming project
• 10% Participation
• 10% Exams

---

Tentative Schedule

Week 1 Introduction to Networking and Unix Reading: SQL: Lesson 1

1/16 MLK, Jr. Holiday – no class

Week 2 SQL Select Reading: SQL: Lesson 2–14, 18; SQL Select

Week 3 SQL Update, Insert, Delete Reading: SQL: Lesson 15–16, 20; SQL Insert, SQL Update, & SQL Delete

Week 4 HTTP, The Web, & PHP Reading: PHP Intro, Syntax, Variables, Echo, Types, Operators, If-Else, Arrays & Mulitdimensional Arrays

2/11 Mid-semester break – no class

Week 5 PHP Reading: PDO Reference, My PDO Example & REST Reference

Week 6 – 7 REST

Week 8 PHP Session & Security Reading: PHP Sessions

Week 9 HTML Reading: HTML Reference

Week 10 CSS Reading: CSS Reference

Week 11 JavaScript Reading: JavaScript Reference & Tutorial

Week 12 Spring Break

Week 13 – 14 JavaScript & Ajax Reading: Ajax

Week 15 Special Topics

Date	Topic	Reading
Week 1	Introduction to Networking and Unix	SQL: Lesson 1
1/16	MLK, Jr. Holiday – no class	-
Week 2	SQL Select	SQL: Lesson 2–14, 18; SQL Select
Week 3	SQL Update, Insert, Delete	SQL: Lesson 15–16, 20; SQL Insert, SQL Update, & SQL Delete
Week 4	HTTP, The Web, & PHP	PHP Intro, Syntax, Variables, Echo, Types, Operators, If-Else, Arrays & Mulitdimensional Arrays
2/11	Mid-semester break – no class	-
Week 5	PHP	PDO Reference, My PDO Example & REST Reference
Week 6 – 7	REST	-
Week 8	PHP Session & Security	PHP Sessions
Week 9	HTML	HTML Reference
Week 10	CSS	CSS Reference
Week 11	JavaScript	JavaScript Reference & Tutorial
Week 12	Spring Break	-
Week 13 – 14	JavaScript & Ajax	Ajax
Week 15	Special Topics	-

---

1. GFU
2. CSIS
3. J. Walker Orr
4. CSIS 314