Additional Post 6: XML Training at SAITS

Just a little update on what I have been doing for a majority of my time at my mentorship.
I have just finished up a course regarding the programming language XML, which stands for eXtensible Markup Language. This language is commonly used among web-based languages like HTML. This is a unique type as it does absolutely nothing without another language to work with. XML works as a type of data storage and island for streamlining data output. It stores the information on a grid, with custom organization tags and attributes and can be accessed when called correctly. It uses a format called the DOM (Document Object Model) to organize its information, with tags, attributes, nodes and families. XML is paired up with various functions for verifying the data and such, such as XPath, XSLT (Extensible Stylsheet Language Transformations ), XML Schema, and DTD(Document Type Definitions).

How to Declare Elements

Example XSLT Template to convert XML data to pdfs or HTML (Stylesheet)

SAX (Simple API for XML) to verify XML data

XPath to reference for correct XML Data format

XSLT Graph

XML Notes

Soon, I will be working on a way to retrieve information from another application and storing it in an XML file with organized results at SAITS.

Blog 16: Advisory Meeting #2

Content:

Just like you did for answer 1 and the objectives for Purther's textbook work for answer 2 post:

EQ

Answer #2 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*
The best programming language to use when developing mobile applications is Objective-C.

3 details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example)

1. Objective C is the main programming language used for Apple's iPhone Applications, thus making it an important language to learn in the industry. EX: iPhone 5 applications run on Objective-C / XCode
2. Objective C is a more dynamic language to use for development as it allows for processing some activities after compiling, thus making it more flexible and powerful. (EX: Dynamic Binding, sophisticated monitoring on the application)
3. Since Objective C incorporates C's functions, it borrows all the benefits of programming with C, such as choosing whether to use object-oriented programming or procedural functions.

The research source (s) to support your details and answer

 "Why Objective-C?" iOS Developer Library. Apple Inc., n.d. Web. 2010 Nov. 15.

Concluding Sentence
Objective-C is an essential language to learn for mobile development, as it is a part of iOS' programming standard, making their applications very simple and dynamic for use.

*Write your answer like you would write a thesis statement.  Please don't give us one or two words or start your sentence with by.    Thanks!

On Friday 2/28 for Advisory #2, you will be presenting what you have from this blog.  The presentation is more like a share-out and should not last longer than 2 minutes. You don't need a visual.   

Blog 15: Independent Component 2 Approval

Content:

Please review the component contract at page 12 of the senior project packet.   The independent component 2 is an opportunity for you to add a dimension of creativity and/or an additional outlet for research.  The goal of the component is for you to explore your answers in more depth.  On Friday April 25, 2014, you will be turning in the following to your blog to prove completion of this component:

·       Log of hours on an digital spreadsheet (with total number of hours included)
·       Evidence of the 30 hours of work (e.g. transcript, essays, tests, art work, photographs) as digital artifacts
·       LIA
 The senior team expects that your log will be on the right hand side of your blog with your WB, independent component log 1 and mentorship log.   In addition to this,  we expect that you will be able to prove the total 30 hours of work by submitting evidence to the blog by the due date.  For this blog post and approval, please answer the following questions.

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
For this Independent Component, I plan on taking an online course for one or more programming languages such as Objective-C, Javascript, or PHP. This will include practicing coding and understanding syntax, uses, and how to properly code using the language. The site that I will be using will be either Code School or Code Academy.
2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.
I will take screenshots of what I am learning as well as notes to show that I am understanding how each language works.
3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
This will help me explore my topic more in-depth because these are common languages used for mobile development. Learning the language and understanding how they work can help me explore the idea as to why they are used as standard languages for mobile developers.
4.  Post a log on the right hand side of your blog near your other logs and call it the independent component 2 log.
DONE
Your answers to the questions should be supported with details and examples for the senior team to understand what you plan to do.   Once we review your Blog Post 15, your house teacher will discuss with you the approval of your plan.  If it is approved, please start working on it.  If it is not approved, your house teacher will explain why.  It is your job to address the concerns so you can get your component approved.

Blog 14: Independent Component 1

Content:  

• LITERAL
  (a) Statement saying: “I, student name, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

I, Brian Cabantug, affirm that I completed my independent component which represent 30 hours of work.

• (b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component

Burd, Barry. Android Application Development All-In-One for Dummies. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2012. Book.

• (c) Provide a digital spreadsheet (aka log of the 30 hours).   Post it next to your mentorship log.

DONE

• (d) Explanation of what you completed.    

I was able to complete a basic rough prototype of an android application running on Java. It does basic functions, such as switching screens after a button press and can switch to a website after pressing another button. Activities are mostly linked as such.

• INTERPRETIVE 
  Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.  
  

 I had been working programming, designing and organizing an android application for my independent component. My work covered all aspects of understanding the language and how to design an app. I had also learned how to connect classes and activities together to act as an action. Doing things such as linking Intents, coding strings for XML buttons to share throughout the application, and putting the design together to test it out. It represents 30 hours of work since most of the process would be split up among different people to create a prototype, while I decided to take all aspects of the process and attempt to create an application for android users.

Blueprint rough draft: click here

Add class example

Confirmation Screen

XML code for all string variables for app to use for display purposes

XML code to organize button values and screen variables

Screenshot of how the SDK and Eclipse Development Environment

First prototype version of testing app

Code from home screen

Clicking on logo button leads to...

School website.

• APPLIED
  How did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better?  Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped. 

This component helped me understand the foundation of my topic better since it helped me realize some of the concepts and importance of development planning as well as testing. For example, I was going through with my design of my plan and my blueprint. It helped me execute the design of my app when developing a bit more simpler and allowed me to focus more on the code and problems that came up. Another thing that came up was understanding my language. I had to use my knowledge of Java to learn how to implement the idea of intents and switching screens through a button click with the method. It helped me see the works of what steps are needed to go into application development.

Blog 13: Lesson 2 Reflection

Content:

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

I am most proud of my explanation of my answer during the presentation because explaining a programming language within 20 minutes of speaking is very difficult. I think I did as well as I could to explain it within the
limited time, along with definitions and object-oriented concepts.
2. Questions to Consider
       a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE       P          AP       CR       NC

       b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

I felt I had explained my content pretty well, using props and my object oriented activity. I felt I could be heard throughout the room and I had eye-contact with the audience. I also hit time and referenced some of my research with the Java Website and the Android Application Developement. The hook and activity included the whole audience and did aid in showing others the idea of Java being a part of a huge mobile development environment.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?

What worked for me in my Lesson 2 was the activity and my explanation of the answer.

4.  (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?

However, I wish I had gone back and cited more resources that I had within the presentation. It was something I only did at the end so it hindered my ability to back up what I was teaching.

5. Finding Value
What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?  

I think my 2nd answer is either going to be HTML or Objective C.