JavaScript lesson plans

This is a reference page that I'm using while working on the JavaScript beginner tutorials. Any ideas or help would be appreciated! Feel free to edit the page, catch me on IRC as Jewelfox, or send me an email at <jewelfox AT SPAMFREE fursona DOT net>

JavaScript tutorial organization

1. Introduction. What JavaScript is, what GNOME applications and components use it, and where you can go to learn it if you don't already know the language.

2. Beginner tutorials. These explain the very basics of how to write GNOME applications, starting with an introductory "Hello, GNOME" chapter and going on to explain the most important Gtk+ widgets and UI concepts, like modal dialogs and the application menu. Each chapter will demonstrate one or two new concepts, and will build on previous chapters.

3. Platform demos. These explain not just Gtk+, but the rest of the GNOME platform, including libraries like Telepathy and Libsoup. Each one demonstrates one library, using an app that's a little longer than the ones in the Beginner section. The GNOME Shell extension tutorial will go here when it's ready.

4. Code samples. A concise reference, that lets you look up the code for a given widget or library without having to read all the way through a tutorial. Each one has a screenshot and brief explanation, the code sample itself, and a list of the most useful methods and properties, followed by links to more in-depth reference material.

Beginner tutorials outline

1. Hello, GNOME! A WebView that shows a simple JavaScript web app. This tutorial is designed to ease newbie JavaScript developers into writing for GNOME, by starting them off in familiar surroundings.

2. Welcome to the Grid About the amazing power of the Grid, and how to organize Image and Label widgets inside it. Learn the most basic properties of all three widgets, including how to create Images that use stock Gtk+ icons.

3. Getting the Signal Demonstrates widgets like the Button, Switch, Entry, and RadioButton, and shows how to write callback functions which handle the signals they send. Mentions other widgets, such as the multiline TextView, and links to tutorials for them.

4. Popup dialog boxes Demonstrates the simple MessageDialog, as well as the more customizable Dialog.

5. Application menus Demonstrates the ApplicationMenu, as well as the AboutDialog that usually goes with it.

6. Lists of items Demonstrates the TreeView and ListStore, with links to more advanced demonstrations.

7. Choosing from lists Demonstrates the ComboBoxText, as well as a multiline ComboBox which includes icons.

8. Toolbars with tooltips Exactly what it says.

9. Putting it all together Building a complete application, a simple journal. Uses the Paned interface to keep UI sections separate, and uses Libgda and an SQLite database to save journal entries.

10. Packing it up Using autotools and creating a .desktop file. Links to various distros' packaging schemes will be provided.

11. Git-ting involved The very basics of using git, and how to contribute to GNOME using its Bugzilla and git repository.

Platform demos needed

1. Gio How to read, save, and edit files using Gio. Demonstrate asynchronous file operations, and introduce the ProgressBar and Spinner widgets.

2. Libgda How to use an SQLite database.

3. Libsoup How to talk to web pages, and use their APIs to publish to and pull information from them.

4. Gstreamer How to play back sound and movie files, and record from the webcam and microphone.

5. Telepathy How to send and receive messages over the web.

6. Clutter How to do neat animations.

Code samples checklist

• Samples with a are quite important, and should be done first.

• When a sample has been completed, please edit this page and enter in the appropriate spot.

* GtkMenuButton is a brand new widget. For it to work, you either need to jhbuild, or be running Gnome 3.5 or later.

Platform demos outline

CategoryHomepage