Full-Stack Foundations: PHP MySQL JavaScript

This unit establishes practical foundations for building dynamic web applications by configuring development servers and tools, applying HTML5/CSS/JavaScript for interactive front ends, and introducing PHP and MySQL for server-side processing and persistent storage. Students will learn debugging and security best practices, database creation and integration, and basic application scaffolding to prepare for more advanced project development in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate and configure local and remote server environments and development toolchains (including LAMP/AMP stacks and IDEs) to support PHP, MySQL, and JavaScript development.
• Apply HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript (including jQuery) to create and debug interactive user interfaces—implementing input controls, media elements, events, and browser developer tools to test and optimize client-side behavior.
• Implement server-side functionality using PHP—writing control flow, text functions, magic methods, and cookie handling—while demonstrating techniques to mitigate common PHP vulnerabilities.
• Design, create, and manage MySQL databases and integrate them with PHP using the mysqli library to perform CRUD operations, search data, manage user accounts, and scaffold a basic application while comparing MVC and framework approaches (including installing/configuring WordPress).