Front-End Code Review (discussion of your code led by an experienced dev)
Details
Join us at Headquarters (https://headquartershq.com/) for our first front-end code review meetup! As a group, we'll review HTML and CSS samples submitted in advance by attendees, and we'll discuss best practices! (Please read all details below about submitting your code.) Our group leader Bruce Hyslop is an experienced developer, teacher, and author of popular books on HTML and CSS!
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More about this meetup
Maybe this is you: You know some HTML and CSS. You've built a basic page or two, or maybe a couple small sites. But you haven't had an experienced front-end dev available to validate your approach or help you improve it.
This meetup aims to help fill that gap. As a group, we'll go through HTML and CSS samples submitted in advance by attendees (maybe even you!). I'll lead a discussion about the code, pointing out ways to:
• improve your HTML semantics;
• simplify your HTML and CSS;
• approach solutions in other ways;
• follow industry best practices, and more.
Submitting your code
As noted, this meetup is a little different in that it requires some of your participation before the event. Namely, it is dependent on some of you submitting code.
Please be aware that to make the discussion applicable to all present and to focus on the fundamentals, we won't review any samples that leverage frameworks like Bootstrap and Foundation, or that are generated from the likes of WordPress or Drupal. (Similarly, if you used Sass or a different CSS preprocessor, please submit the outputted CSS rather than the source code.)
Code you submit can be as small as a brief exercise to as large as a few pages of a website.
Important:
• Cutoff for submissions: Wed, Nov 15th. (By any time that day is fine). This will allow me enough time to go through the submissions and prepare what we'll discuss.
• Please be sure each HTML page you submit works without a web server. It should be a static page; that is, when I double-click the HTML file(s) or drag it into a browser, it should display as you expect it to.
To submit code, please do the following:
- Package your files in a single ZIP file. Include your email address in the name.
(For example, if your email address is funnyelephant@gmail.com , you would name your ZIP file funnyelephant@gmail.com.zip )
How to create a ZIP file on:
• macOS — http://osxdaily.com/2012/01/10/how-to-zip-files-in-mac-os-x/
• Windows — https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/14200/windows-compress-uncompress-zip-files
-
Drag and drop your ZIP file onto that webpage or click/tap the "Choose files" button to navigate to the location of your ZIP file to select it for uploading.
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Enter your first name, last name, and email address, as prompted by Dropbox. Click/tap the "Upload" button.
• If you don't want to specify your name, a single letter for each your first name and last name is fine.
• Dropbox asks for your email address because they will email you to say your ZIP file has been uploaded. However, they won't tell me the email address you enter in that field, which is why it would be great if you could include it in your ZIP filename. (I won't be able to contact you with any potential questions otherwise.)
Schedule
11:00am - Arrive and get settled
11:10am - Intro + code review discussion part 1
12:00pm - Quick break, stretch your legs
12:10pm - Code review discussion part 2
12:50pm - Feedback, open questions
1:00pm - Wrap-up
Who will lead the code review
Hi! My name is Bruce, and I'm a freelance front-end developer. Previously, I worked at a couple agencies in LA as a developer and in tech leadership roles. I really enjoy teaching the trade as well. I'm the lead author of HTML and CSS: Visual QuickStart Guide, Eighth Edition and the author of The HTML Pocket Guide, among other books. I also do some private tutoring, I've taught at UCLA Extension and UCLA undergrad, and I volunteer for Learn Teach Code LA and Girl Develop It LA.
FAQ
Q: Do I have to submit code to attend?
A: No—all interested parties are welcome! However, I will need to receive at least a few code submissions to have enough material for the meetup to take place.
Q: I'm nervous about submitting my code and having it discussed in front of others. Will it be anonymous?
A: Yes. I won't mention whose code we're reviewing unless you want me to. If you're still hesitant, keep in mind that this is a learning opportunity for all. Your fellow attendees will appreciate that you were willing to have your code reviewed at the meetup.
Q: If I submit code, can I be certain you'll review it?
A: I'd love to promise we'll discuss everyone's code, but I don't expect that to be realistic. However, I will pick examples that I think are the most likely to result in discussions that will help everyone.
Q: Instead of submitting code via Dropbox, can I send you a URL to my site or to a GitHub, GitLab, or other repo?
A: Sorry, but I'll only review code submitted via the Dropbox URL. I want the barrier to entry to be both low and the same for everyone. Some people in attendance won't know how to use Git (or any version control system) or may not have launched a page or site, and I still want them to be able to submit code.
Q: Some of my HTML includes code from another language (i.e., JavaScript, PHP, Python, etc.) to make the page dynamic. Can I submit that?
A: No—please be sure each page is pure, static HTML. (Please see the "Important" section under "Submitting your code" for more info.) The reason for this is to keep the focus on HTML and CSS, and HTML without any non-HTML code will be more familiar and less intimidating to a wider audience.
Q: Will you review any JavaScript?
A: As noted, this session will focus on HTML and CSS, but we might review JS in a future meetup.
Q: Can I submit code for a project I'm working on at my job or for a paying client? Can I submit code for a fee-based service website or product I'm working on myself?
A: No. If you are being (or might be) paid for the project you're working on, I think it's only fair you compensate for a review. I'd be happy to discuss it more with you if that applies to your situation.
What to bring / how to prepare
• You won't need a laptop to participate, but feel free to bring one if you'd like to take notes.
• A small cash donation if you'd like to support Learn Teach Code—whatever you think this workshop is worth :)
Parking / directions
Headquarters is located in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, right above LA Cafe.
We highly recommend taking the Metro since our venue is a short walk from the Pershing Square Metro stop! And remember, if you don't live near a Metro stop, you can park your car at Metro's Park & Ride lots (http://www.metro.net/around/paid_parking/) and then take the train downtown.
There are a few parking lots around 7th and Spring that offer parking for $7 to $15. The lot at 546 S Spring St 90013 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/546+S+Spring+St,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90013/@34.0462164,-118.2524137,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2c64a846913b7:0xfac8b35de285dee1!8m2!3d34.046212!4d-118.250225) is well lit and easy to get in / out.
A big thanks to Headquarters (https://headquartershq.com/) for hosting us!
Located in the Historic Core of DTLA, Headquarters (https://headquartershq.com/) is a third space between work and home where you can find community and fuel your personal and professional growth.
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Whether you are working on a side hustle, a startup, a personal project, an exhibit, or ready to find a new gig, we're all here to help. Classes, work sessions, and events focus on techniques from design, technology, business, and wellness to help you make progress.
Current members span from creatives / technologists / entrepreneurs / hustlers / artists who are motivated by growth – working towards greater productivity and balance in their life. Find out more about joining Headquarters here: https://headquartershq.com/
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Front-End Code Review (discussion of your code led by an experienced dev)