Module Identifier
COM5820
Module Title
DEVELOPING INTERNET-BASED APPLICATIONS
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Mr David E Price
Semester
Available all semesters
Pre-Requisite
CO21120 or equivalent experience
Pre-Requisite
Available only to students taking the Diploma/MSc in Computer Science scheme or the Diploma/MSc in Internet and Distributed Systems (Advanced) scheme
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Workload Breakdown 55 hours of contact time; lectures, practicals, workshops.
Workload Breakdown 145 hours of private study, practical work and assessment.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 2 Hours   written exam.  50%
Semester Assessment 1 programming assignment (60 hours).  50%
Supplementary Assessment Supplementary examination will take the same form, under the terms of the Department's policy.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of basic Internet and communications concepts.

2. analyse existing distributed systems in terms of architectures and reference frameworks.

3. produce an outline design for a distributed system.

4. demonstrate knowledge of a range of critical issues associated with the design of telematic applications.

5. describe a range of contrasting facilities for the design and construction of distributed applications and assess their relative applicability to real world problems.

6. use a multi-media programming interface and identify the critical issues in specific multi-media applications.

7. build a distributed application using technologies presented during the module.

Aims

This module replaces the MSc modules COM5610 and COM5010. We are merging modules into 20-credit blocks to improve coherence across related material. We are also trying to harmonize the home schemes with those taught overseas. The module forms an essential part of the proposed new Internet and Distributed Systems (Advanced) MSc. It will also form part of the conversion MSC in Computer Science.

Brief description

An introduction to communications concepts. An overview of major distribution architectures and frameworks. Design and construction of multi-tier Internet applications. Developing multi-media applications. Java APIs for Internet protocols. Java communication protocols. The Java security model. Introduction to server-side software development.

Content

1. An introduction to communications. Basic issues in Data Communication, including, Analogue and digital data transmission; Synchronous and Asynchronous transmission; Parallel and Serial transmission; Modems and the PSTN, concentrators, multiplexors; Co-ax, twisted pair, fibre optic media; Speed, distance, error rates of various transmission media, Local Area Network topologies such as Bus, Ring and Star topologies, media access and sharing strategies, N-ISDN, examples of WANs such as the UK JANET academic network.

2. The Internet. An introduction to the Internet, its applications and their history and evolution. Internet standards, control and regulation. Introduction to protocols used on the Internet such as: IP, ICMP, TCP, UDP, FTP, Telnet, etc including Internet addressing.

3. An overview of major distribution architectures and frameworks. Multi-tier architectures, the Object Management Group'r Model Driven Architecture, J2EE platform overview, .NET platform overview, the GRID concept.

4. Telematics Systems Creation for the Internet. Introduction and multifunctional workstations.

5. Java's Support for Internet Communications. Java RMI (Remote Method Invocation), Java socket access, Java'r support for directory and naming services.

6. Java Applet Construction. Applet construction and related issues of the Java security model.

7. Network based Multimedia Applications. Issues in audio/video application construction and the characteristics of appropriate protocols, the Java media classes such as JMF.

8. Web Development. A brief introduction to the design and construction of web applications using HTML, HTTP, Java Servlets and Java Server Pages (JSP).9. XML /XSL. Use of XML and XSL; their use to support online publishing of content.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Appreciation of Internet traffic figures, throughput and bandwidth.
Communication Not significant.
Improving own Learning and Performance The assessed coursework requires students to develop their understanding of issues associated with the module.
Information Technology Entire content of module.
Personal Development and Career planning No.
Problem solving The assignment addresses challenging issues concerned with Internet applications.
Research skills On-line web exploration and synthesis and application of relevant materials is required both by the assignment and the examination.
Subject Specific Skills See learning outcomes.
Team work No.

Reading List

Recommended Text
Jim Farley et al. (May 2002) Java Enterprise in a Nutshell O'Reilly Primo search John Hunt, Chris Loftus (March 2003) Guide to J2EE: Enterprise Java Springer-Verlag Primo search Scott Oaks (June 2001) Java Security O'Reilly Primo search Recommended Consultation
Andy Richardson, David Price, Jean Dorleans (30/09/1992) The Multifunctional Desktop Environment: A User Specification. European ISDN User Forum Primo search Sun Microsystems Inc. Java Media Framework, API Guide (19/11/1999) http://java.sun.com/products/java-media/jmf/2.1.1/guide/

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7