JavaScript Calculator

During the last days I have been working on a project. I have managed to succesfully program a calculator which is fully functional. I programmed it with JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS in a note pad. It consists of buttons which operate a function, which according to what has been pressed, will operate differently. When the operation has been done, then the code will evaluate each case to know what has been pressed as the arithmetical operator. Depending on the numbers and the operator, the result will be shown on top. The styling was done with CSS. The code is very simple to understand, at least most of it. I hope I can soon show you the calculator, but I need to find a platform to post it. I am open to suggestions. I offer you an image preview so you can get an idea of my project.

 Sources

• Personal Knowledge

Graphic Design

   Graphic design is the process of visual communication, and problem-solving through the use of type, space, image and color. Graphic design is used for proyecting and making visual communications that allow you to communicate graphicly ideas, facts and values. The following text will give you further information about it.

Basic Elements

   The basic elements for a graphic designer are:

• Visual language: it is a system of communication using visual elements. Humans can verbalize their ideas through speech. However, they can also visualize their thinking. Some examples are a map, a painting and a diagram.
• Communication process: it is the steps we take to succesfully communicate our ideas. Communication is a process of conveying, and if the process breaks, the communication fails.
• Visual perception: it is the ability to interpret the surrounding environment by processing information that is contained in visible light. The resulting perception is known as eyesight. The graphic designer must not only put information in an image, but also take care of the background, contrast, shapes, organization and more, to make the communication as effective as possible.
• Resources administration: every graphic designer first thinks about an idea, and then he thinks how to make it. There are many ways of fulfilling an image or work. Depending on what the graphic designer has in mind, he can use different resources. 

Rhethorical figures

   Rethorical figures are images which have been alterated so they have a connection to the subject of an idea. It is the use of visual metaphores. Using rethorical figures entails playing with the meaning of images that beyond their meaning they will transmit new sensations and ideas. This way, the graphic designer can replace something for a similar object in order to communicate the idea.

Main Groups

   Design can be classified in 3 main groups:

• Editorial Design: It may sometimes be called Layout. It is about organizing in a certain space a certain amount of different objects. This is important for newspapers and books. It is often used a grid, in which they accommodate all the objects and try different combinations to look for the best one. The text, images, titles, subtitles and others must be positioned in the best way so it is as legible as posible without tiring the sight, or so it calls the attention of sight easier. For example, a book written al in uppercase letters will result harder to read. However, if a title of a book is written in uppercase letters, it may call more the attention of people. Newspapers and magazines will usually mantain their design throughout all their editions. 
• Advertising:It consists of creating the best adds. A good advertisement must be quickly readable, transmit all the ideas that the company desires, and call the attention of people. There are many ways of doing this, the only limit is one's creativity. The graphic designer must also take into account where the add will be. For example, if it is on a highway, it must be readable in less than 2 seconds to avoid any problems to the driver, but yet transmitting the full message to him. 
• Identity: Corporate identity is the set of pieces, aspects, ideas, methods and techniques that a company uses to differentiate themselves from the rest. All the things from a company keep a system, an idea or a concept. An example of this is Coca-Cola, which is known for the classic red and white logo, which it uses everywhere.

Sources:

• Wikipedia
• Fernando Gómez (graphic designer)

Programming - Tutorials

   Programming is the process of creation of executable computer programs. Doing such requires a certain language, source codes can be written in 1 or more programming languages. Some examples are JavaScript, HTML5, PHP, Python and Ruby. The following text will teach you some things you should know for learning JavaScript.

Where to learn programming?

   Many people are interested in programming but yet they do not know where they could learn a language. Excluding learning in an institution, the most common way to learn might be through programming websites. Nowadays there is a wide variety of online courses which teach you a programming language, usually being focused in a single one or a bunch. Talking about JavaScript, some which you could visit are:

• W3Schools: W3Schools is a web developers site, with tutorials and references on web development languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and JQuery, covering most aspects of web programming.W3Schools has focus on simplicity, practicing easy and straight-forward learning. It uses simple code explanations, and illustrates how to use it. The tutorials start from basic level, and move all the way up to complete professional references. I personally recommend this website to anybody who already knows the basics of programming in JavaScript or is looking to begin. To visit the page, you can click the logo.

• Codecademy: Codecademy is an online interactive platform that offers free coding classes in 9 different programming languages including Python, PHP, jQuery, JavaScript, AngularJS, and Ruby, as well as markup languages HTML and CSS. Codecademy also provides a forum where enthusiasts, beginners, and advanced coders can come together and help each other. Each individual who joins has their own profile. To motivate users to participate, the site offers feedback, badges for completing exercises, as well as a function that keeps track of a user's total score and total day streak, and displays it to others. I only recommend this website for those looking forward to learning the basics of JavaScript, as the internal editor only supports basic operators and methods. If you would like to visit the website, you can easily do so by clicking its logo. 

• Sololearn: Sololearn is an online platform which offers different programming languages  courses and about other things. For example: JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Excel, Photography and C++. Overall, although the content proved to be correct, the lessons move way to fast. Nobody without previous knowledge in programming could take part of this course of JavaScript and complete it. The explanations are usually short, way too summarized and hard to comprehend. On the other hand, it offers a video explanation of all the content so you can have extra information. I do not recommend this course to anyone looking forward to start programming. Instead, Codecademy or W3Schools can be a better option. If you wish to visit Sololearn, you can click its logo.

Where to write the code?

   JavaScript code can be written in any text editor. Even basic ones, like notepad, can be used. The only requirement is that when you save the file, you write ".html" at it's end to choose the format. Other text editors can be used, depending on your preferences. If you want to be more professional, you shouldn't use notepad and instead look for a more professional program. You will probably want to create something after you have learnt the basics. I totally support people who try to code something by themselves. Nevertheless, do not let that draw your attention from learning. The best thing you could do is learn what's possible with a language and test it as you know about it. Once you know the possibilities, try coding your own program and learn even more advanced stuff.

How to debug my code?

   Often, everyone gets a mistake in their code that doesn't allow them to run the program. There are multiple ways to debug your code. If you are looking for an online debugger, you could use Python Tutor. This website lets you visualize step by step your code and spot errors. It supports Python, JavaScript, TypeScript and Ruby. Moreover, you can temporaly disable your code by using comments. This way, you can aislate parts of your code and run part of it. If it still doesn't run, you know that the bug is in the rest of the code (supposing there's only one error). Another option are "flags". If your code runs correctly, but in a moment it gets an error and stops running, you can print random text in a console every some lines so you know up to where the code is correct. Finally, some programming languages offer a debugger, allowing you to spot mistakes and act according to it.

Sources

• Personal knowledge
• W3Schools
• CodeCademy
• SoloLearn