Programming

Programming languages

• PHP (5.x)
• HTML (4.01, 5, XHTML 1.0)
• CSS (2,3)
• SQL (MYSQL, SQL Server 2005/2008, Oracle 10g/11g)
• Javascript, jQuery

Current Projects - hover for more details

• markleci.com (aka this site - 2011)
  Originally this site was an art project: a journey through different images of my own, and foundonline. After getting frustrated with how slow and ugly loading images are, I turned this site intoan experiment in slimmed-down page design without relying on any images. Instead, the site is builtexclusively using text with external fonts, and CSS effects such as text-shadow. Javascript andjquery along with the CSS 'transition' attribute are used to achieve animated-style effects. On themain page, php code generates random depths for the shadows, and CSS does the rest.
• Quotation a Day (2009-2012)
  An 'alternative' quotation website composed entirely of user submissions. The site is built almost exclusively in php referencing a normalized MYSQL database, and also uses Amazon's API to retrieve images and links for works presented. Simple integration with Facebook and Twitter is provided, as is a search feature. All insert and update queries are logged internally, as is the IP of all submissions, both using custom functions.
• Prime number generator (2011)
  A simple programming exercise to test the speed of php functions and the limits of numerical values inphp. The page generates a list of all prime numbers between the given values.
• Random poetry generator (2011)
  Created using my knowledge of linguistics and poetry, this program uses a MYSQL database to retrieve words, then combines them in syntactic phrases using the 'rules' of relational grammar.
• Amazon Kindle clippings organizer (2011)
  Amazon's Kindle allows highlighting, bookmarking and notes on all books, however the resulting file is plain text and cannot be ordered. I built a simple php tool that uploads the clippings file and parses it in a more user-friendly manner according to options the user selects.
• World of Warcraft data drill (2010-2012)
  This site was built to track certain aspects of the World of Warcraft MMORPG, but has also ended up providing me with an introduction into some new programming areas, such as CURL, jQuery, OOP and PDO for databases. The basic structure is a MYSQL database that stores data for characters and allows historical reporting through integration with Google Charts. This has so far been my most extensive programming project, and has been growing steadily with the help of Google Code and Subversion.

Old Projects & Mini-Apps

• Book database (2010)
  A book application that looks up ISBN numbers and adds the books to an individuals personal library. Built using PHP, Amazon API and ISBNdb.com integration, and MYSQL with some Javascript. Originally designed to quickly catalogue a collection of books using a keyboard wedge barcode scanner, and tested with the Metrologic Orbit. Currently on hold due to issues with finding a large, reliable ISBN database.
• Child's javascript game (2011)
  A simple javascript game I made for my four year-old daughter. Words move around the screen with the mouse, and the screen gradually changes to a new colour if the words can be 'caught'.
• Things Kids Say (2012)
  A simple cross platform form/database application I made using html5 features and jQuery to allow parents to enter things their kids say easily on laptop or mobile phone.
• Internet Usage Monitor (2012)
  A CURL parser I wrote to extract data from Videotron's data feed to stay within my cable data limits!

Programming principles

I am largely self-taught as a programmer, so I've learned to recognize and (hopefully) stifle bad habits before they become mistakes. I rigorously comment all of my code, and I perform extensive testing before making pages live. I like to avoid clutter, so I try to use functions and external files to keep my code clean and easy to read. Lately I've started using OOP as well, and I've found that really helpful in creating reusable code.