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Showing posts from May, 2024

The implementation of the World Wide Web (WWW)

The implementation of the World Wide Web (WWW) involved several key steps and technologies: 1. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol):  Berners-Lee developed HTTP, a protocol that allows devices to communicate and share information over the internet. 2. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language):  Berners-Lee created HTML, a markup language used to structure and format content on the web. 3. URL (Uniform Resource Locator):  Berners-Lee introduced URLs, a way to address and locate web pages and resources. 4. Web Servers:  The first web server, httpd, was developed by Berners-Lee and his team to host and serve web pages. 5. Web Browsers:  The first web browser, WorldWideWeb, was developed by Berners-Lee and his team to access and display web pages. 6. Network Infrastructure:  The internet's existing network infrastructure, including TCP/IP, DNS, and packet switching, enabled the web to scale and connect globally. 7. Server-Side Scripting:  Technologies like CGI (Commo...

What are pseudo-classes in CSS?

In CSS, pseudo-classes are used to define a state of an element based on its position, relationship with other elements, or user interaction.  They are denoted by a colon (:) followed by the pseudo-class name. Examples of pseudo-classes: 1. :hover - applied when an element is hovered over by a user 2. :active - applied when an element is being clicked or activated 3. :focus - applied when an element receives focus (e.g., when a user clicks on a form input) 4. :visited - applied to links that have been visited by the user 5. :first-child - applied to the first child element of a parent element 6. :last-child - applied to the last child element of a parent element 7. :nth-child(n) - applied to the nth child element of a parent element 8. :disabled - applied to elements that are disabled 9. :enabled - applied to elements that are enabled 10. :checked - applied to checkboxes and radio buttons that are checked Pseudo-classes allow you to apply styles to elements based on their state or ...

The phenomenon of Packet switching in Network Infrastructure

Packet switching is a method of transmitting data over a network by breaking it into small packets, routing each packet independently through the network, and reassembling the packets at the destination. How it works: 1. Data is divided into small packets, typically with a maximum size (e.g., 1500 bytes). 2. Each packet is given a header containing source and destination addresses, packet sequence number, and other control information. 3. Packets are transmitted over the network, potentially taking different routes. 4. Routers examine packet headers and forward them to the next hop on the path to the destination. 5. Packets may pass through multiple routers before reaching their destination. 6. The receiving device reassembles the packets in the correct order using the sequence numbers. 7. The original data is reconstructed from the packets. Packet switching allows for: - Efficient use of network resources - Flexibility and scalability - Error detection and correction - Multiplexing (m...

Computer Networks and their Classification

Computer networks Computer networks refer to the interconnection of multiple computing devices for the purpose of sharing resources and information.  These networks enable communication between devices such as computers, servers, printers, routers, and other hardware components.  Classification of Computer networks Computer networks can be classified based on various criteria such as; 1. Based on Size 2. Based on Geographical Scope 3. Based on Topology 4. Based on Technologies 5. Based on Function 6. Based on Administration L et's delve a bit deeper into each classification: 1. Based on Size: - LAN (Local Area Network):   LANs typically cover a small geographic area, such as a single building, office, or campus.  They are characterized by high data transfer rates and low latency.  LANs are commonly used in homes, schools, and businesses for connecting devices like computers, printers, and servers. - MAN (Metropolitan Area Network):   MANs cover a larger geo...

Quotation marks to wrap an element in HTML

In HTML, quotation marks can be used to wrap an element, providing visual emphasis and indicating that the enclosed content represents a quotation.  This styling technique enhances the presentation of quoted text on web pages. Setting default quotation marks: To set quotation marks to wrap an element in HTML, you can use the `quotes` CSS property along with the `content` property to specify the quotation marks to be used (the below example uses the default quotes value, so it is not mentioned as can be seen). Here's how it can be achieved: /* Define the quotation marks */ .q:before { content: open-quote; } .q:after { content: close-quote; } In this CSS: - `open-quote` represents the opening quotation mark. - `close-quote` represents the closing quotation mark. Now, you can apply the `.q` class to elements where you want to set quotation marks: <p class="q">This is a quoted text.</p> This will render as: “ This is a quoted...

Computer Science Exam MCQs - Part 5

Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the introduction to computing 41. What is the primary function of a CPU (Central Processing Unit)?    a) Store data    b) Execute instructions    c) Display graphics    d) Connect to the internet 42. Which of the following is considered a high-level programming language?    a) Assembly language    b) C    c) Machine language    d) Binary code 43. What does RAM stand for in computing?    a) Readable Access Memory    b) Random Access Memory    c) Rapid Access Memory    d) Retained Access Memory 44. Which of the following is an example of a secondary storage device?    a) RAM    b) Hard disk drive    c) CPU    d) Cache memory 45. What does HTML stand for in web development?    a) Hyper Text Markup Language    b) High Tech Markup Language    c) Hypertext Transfer Langu...

Are web development bootcamps worth it?

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This short piece aims at answering the question " are web development bootcamps worth it? ". Read this before you decide. Web development bootcamps have surged in popularity as a fast-track route into the tech industry. Are they worth it? The answer isn't a simple yes or no; it depends on various factors. 1. Cost vs. Benefit: Bootcamps can be costly, but they offer intensive, focused learning. If you're committed to transitioning into a tech career quickly, the investment might be worthwhile. 2. Time Commitment: Most bootcamps last several weeks to a few months, requiring full-time dedication. If you can afford to dedicate yourself entirely to learning during this time, bootcamps can be effective. 3. Curriculum Quality: Research the curriculum thoroughly. Some bootcamps offer up-to-date, industry-relevant content, while others may fall short. Look for those with strong track records, alumni success stories, and partnerships with reputable tech companies. 4. Learn...

The `position` property in CSS

The `position` property in CSS is used to specify the positioning type of an element. There are four main positioning types: 1.  `position: static;` This is the default value.  Elements with `position: static;` are positioned according to the normal flow of the document.  The `top`, `right`, `bottom`, `left`, and `z-index` properties have no effect on statically positioned elements. 2. `position: relative;` Elements with `position: relative;` are positioned relative to their normal position in the document flow.  When you use `position: relative;`, you can move the element from its normal position using the offset properties (`top`, `right`, `bottom`, `left`).  However, it will still occupy space in the document flow, and nearby elements will behave as if the element has not been moved. 3. ' position: absolute;  ' Elements with `position: absolute;` are positioned relative to their nearest positioned ancestor (an ancestor element with a position other than ...

What is XML? - A short Intro

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XML, or Extensible Markup Language, is a flexible markup language that is designed to store and transport data.  It provides a way to describe structured data in a human-readable format that is both machine-readable and platform-independent.  XML documents consist of text-based data organized into elements and attributes, similar to HTML. Key features of XML 1. Extensible:  XML is designed to be easily extendable.  Users can define their own custom elements, attributes, and document structures, making it adaptable to various data representation needs. 2. Hierarchical Structure:  XML documents are structured hierarchically with elements nested within one another.  The hierarchical structure makes it suitable for representing complex data relationships. 3. Self-Descriptive:  XML documents are self-descriptive, meaning they contain metadata that describes the structure and content of the data they contain.  This makes it easier for applications to in...

The `white-space` property in CSS

The `white-space` CSS property is used to control how white space inside an element is handled. It determines whether spaces, tabs, line breaks, and other whitespace characters are preserved or collapsed in the rendered output. The `white-space` property accepts the following values: 1. `normal`: This is the default value. Sequences of whitespace characters are collapsed into a single space. Line breaks are treated as spaces or collapsed.     2. `nowrap`: Sequences of whitespace are collapsed into a single space. Text will never wrap to the next line. Line breaks are ignored. 3. `pre`: Whitespace is preserved exactly as written in the HTML source code. Text will only wrap on line breaks and `<br>` elements. 4. `pre-wrap`: Whitespace is preserved, and text will wrap to the next line if it exceeds the width of the container. 5. `pre-line`: Sequences of whitespace are collapsed into a single space. Text will wrap to the next line if it exceeds the width of the container. He...

The "counter-increment" property in CSS

The counter-increment CSS property is used to increment one or more CSS counters.  CSS counters are variables maintained by CSS whose values can be incremented or decremented. We can use incremented counters to generate content using the content property or display their values using the counter() or counters() function.  This property is especially useful for automatically numbering items in lists or sections of content. Example to demonstrate the use of "counter-increment" CSS property <!DOCTYPE html> <html lang="en"> <head> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0"> <title>Counter Increment Example</title> <style> /* Define a counter named 'list-counter' */ body { counter-reset: list-counter; } /* Increment the 'list-counter' for each <li> element */ li { counter-increment: list-counter; } /* Style ...

The "content" property in CSS

Where in CSS, the "content" property is used? The `content` property in CSS is used to insert content before or after an element's content, typically using the `::before` and `::after` pseudo-elements.  This property is often used for adding decorative elements or textual annotations to HTML elements. Syntax of the `content` property: /* Insert content before an element's content */ ::before { content: "content here"; } /* Insert content after an element's content */ ::after { content: "content here"; } The type of content that can be inserted You can insert text, images, icons, or other HTML elements using the `content` property. Inserting text Here's an example of how you can use `content` to insert text before and after an element: /* Insert text before and after an element */ p::before { content: "Start: "; } p::after { content: " :End"; } In this example, the text "Start: " will be inse...

Pseudo-elements in CSS and why they are called "pseudo"?

Why Pseudo-elements are there in CSS? Pseudo-elements  provide a powerful mechanism for creating visually rich and interactive user interfaces while maintaining clean and semantic HTML markup. Why they are called "pseudo"? Pseudo-elements in CSS are called "pseudo" because they are not real HTML elements that exist in the document tree. Instead, they are virtual elements created by CSS that allow you to style specific parts of an element's content or generate additional content before or after an element. The term "pseudo" means "false" or "not genuine," and in the context of CSS, it indicates that these elements are not actual elements in the HTML document structure.  They are used to style or modify the appearance of elements based on certain conditions or criteria without altering the underlying HTML. Pseudo-elements vs Pseudo-classes Pseudo-elements are identified in CSS by using double colons `::` to distinguish them from pseud...

What are CSS variables?

CSS variables, also known as custom properties, are defined using the `--` prefix followed by a name and assigned a value. Here's the general syntax for defining a CSS variable: :root { --variable-name: value; } - `:root`: The `:root` pseudo-class selects the highest-level element in the document tree, typically the `<html>` element. It's commonly used to define global CSS variables that can be accessed throughout the document. - `--variable-name`: This is the name of the CSS variable. It must start with two dashes (`--`) followed by a name. The name can consist of letters, digits, hyphens, and underscores, but it cannot start with a digit. - `value`: This is the value assigned to the CSS variable. It can be any valid CSS value, such as a color, size, font, or any other property value. Here's an example of how to define CSS variables: :root { --primary-color: #007bff; /* Define a CSS variable for the primary color */ --font-size: 16...

Computer Science Exam MCQs - Part 4

10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on JavaScript 31) What is JavaScript? A) A programming language for creating dynamic web pages B) A markup language for styling web pages C) A database management system D) A descendant language from Java 32) Which keyword is used to declare a variable in JavaScript? A) var B) let C) const D) All of the above 33) What does the typeof operator return when applied to an array? A) "array" B) "object" C) "array" D) "undefined" 34) Which of the following is not a valid way to declare a function in JavaScript? A) function myFunction() {} B) var myFunction = function() {} C) const myFunction = () => {} D) let myFunction() {} 35) What does the === operator do in JavaScript? A) Checks for equality without type conversion B) Checks for equality with type conversion C) Assigns a value to a variable D) None of the above 36) Which method is used to add an element to the end of an array? A) push() B) pop() C) shift() D) u...

Computer Science Exam MCQs - Part 3

  21. Which of the following is NOT a valid data type in Python?      a) integer      b) float      c) Boolean      d) character 22. What is the operator used for string concatenation in Python?      a) +      b) *      c) &      d) / 23. Which keyword is used to define a function in Python?      a) define      b) create      c) def      d) function 24. Python is an:      a) Compiled language      b) Interpreted language      c) Assembly language      d) Machine language 25. What is the indentation style used in Python to define code blocks?      a) Braces ({})      b) Semicolons (;)      c) Indentation (spaces or tabs)      d) Keywords (like if, else) 26. Which of the following is t...

Are Computer Science Students Engineers?

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This short article will answer your question of 'are computer science students engineers'? Let's get straight into it. While there is some overlap in skillsets, computer science and engineering are distinct fields. First let's have a cursory overview of both the disciplines : Computer Science:   Computer science delves into the theoretical underpinnings of computation. This involves studying algorithms, data structures, programming languages, and the underlying principles that make computers tick. Computer scientists are the architects of software, designing and building the programs that power our digital world. Their focus leans towards innovation and problem-solving through software creation. Engineering: Engineering applies scientific principles to create real-world solutions. Engineers can work with physical systems like bridges and machines, or design complex software systems with specific functionalities. While software engineering bridges the gap...