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Learn important criteria for maintaining websites: easy to understand, updates, bug fixes, new browsers & specs, expansions. Easy to understand: documentation, structured, reuse code, comments. Structure: organized hierarchy, index.html control. Reuse: avoid copying, use functions. Easy to update: modular functions, isolate browser issues, separate files. Archive: use compression programs, keep backups. Leaving a project: make changes, leave contact info. Entering a project: assess structure, read documentation. Closing words: prioritize documentation, avoid disorganization, effort ensures longevity.
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Maintainability Sp.772 April 29th 2002
Important Criteria • Easy to understand • New web masters • Old web masters • The user • Easy to update • Bug fixes • New browsers and official specifications • Expansions
Easy to Understand • Documentation • Html comments • Javascript comments • README files • Structure • Use functions • Organized and consistent hierarchy • Reuse files and code (avoid copying)
Code comments • Javascript comments • Explain your functions • Explain complicated or convoluted lines of code • README files • Explain your layout and file structure • Leave instructions on how you planned future updates to work
Structure • Organized hierarchy • Use index.html to control directory access • Do you want users to see your individual files? • Choose a strategy and stick to it. • Put commonly used files at the top of the hierarchy or in a common folder
Reuse • Avoid cutting and pasting of code (javascript) • Put duplicated lines of code into functions • Put commonly used functions into separate files <script src=“myfunctions.js”>
Easy to Update • Use functions • It’s easier to update one function than several blocks of identical code • Helps avoid making the same mistake • Make your functions modular • Isolate browser incompatibilities • Try to put most browser specific code into functions
More update tips • Putting your common javascript functions into separate files • Makes it easier to reuse code between functions • Put styles in separate files • Same reasons as javascript (more on this later)
Archive • Make archives of your site as time goes by • Use progams like winzip (windows), or tar (athena) or stuffit (mac) • Keep one for yourself. • You can reuse your own code on new prjects • You may forget how you once did some cool thing.
Leaving a project • With most web projects there comes a time for you to leave your post as web master • Once you’re done, you’re done: make any changes you want to make. • Consider leaving your contact info so the new web master can follow with questions. • If the site is a mess when you leave it Noone is going to want to wade through it. The New web master will ignore your efforts and add their own style.
Entering a project • When you enter a new project consider how the project was left. • Was there a structure in place? • Is there docmentation you should read? • Are you making an addition to the site or a revision?
Closing words • Documentation is the most often ignored area of programming. • Disorganization is a slippery slope. • Think of all the hours you put into a project and remember that a little extra effort will make your efforts last for much much longer.
