reading-notes

HTML Links, JS Functions, and Intro to CSS Layout

Class 4

To create a link we wrap the text or other content that link to a website in an anchor tag. The anchor tag looks like this <a> and we use an href attribute. For Example:

<a href="https://google.com">Clicking this will go to Google.com</a>

The href attribute contains the address of the website we are directing the user to through an anchor tag. It stands for hyper text reference.

One of the ways we can ensure that links are accessible to all readers is by using the attribute title. Another way is to wrap the anchor tags around meaningful content or text, such as “home”, “FAQ”, “Contact” or “Click me to go here”.

CSS: Layout, Positioning

“Normal Flow” means the default way that elements are laid out or positioned on a webpage when none of their properties are changed with styling.

block-level and inline are the default display properties of elements. The difference between block-level and inline elements are that block-level elements take up the entire inline space while inline elements are elements that display “inline” with other elements. One example is that block-level elements begin on a new line, or take up an entire line while inline elements do not and just fit in with the document flow.

Static

Some advantages of using absolute positioning on an elements are:
Removing it from the normal document flow.
You can create isolated UI features that don’t interfere with the layout of other elements.
Pop-up information boxes, control menus, rollover panels, drag and drop UI can be created.

Some of the key differences between fixed and absolute positioning are absolute positioning fixes an element in place relative to its nearest positioned ancestor (the initial containing block if there isn’t one), fixed positioning usually fixes an element in place relative to the visible portion of the viewport, unless one of the element’s ancestors is a fixed containing block because its transform property has a value other than none.)

JS: Functions

Function declaration is used when you are declaring a function name and what that function will do.

function myFunction(){
    console.log('i'm a function')
}

Function invocation is used when you are trying to invoke or call a function to execute.

myFunction();

From what I understand they are used interchangeably, but parameters are mostly used during the declaration of a function, to state what variables will be needed for the function to execute and arguments are mostly used when we describe what actual variables we are passing into a function.

Misc: Pair Programming

In my experience, I benefit from pair programming because it helps me learn from others while learning about myself, when I share knowledge. Being able to bounce ideas around with a fellow programmer definitely helps in that process. Another benefit from pair programming that I benefit from is the use of language and environment. I am able to expand my technical vocabulary and actually articulate what my code is doing to fellow programmers who would understand the terminology.

References

Creating hyperlinks

Positioning

Normal Flow

Functions — reusable blocks of code

6 Reasons for Pair Programming

Things I want to know more about