Level

Programming Skills

Language, Programs, or Programming Environments

Typical Applications

Years

I

Can code simple GGIS using scripting languages, often by customizing off-the-shelf
scripts. Can hand-code fairly advanced HTML and use code validators. Can create simple connections between a Web site and a database, using off-the-shelf tools such as Tango or Lasso.

Applescript

Javascript

Visual Basic

Perl

PHP

Lasso

Shell

Tango

CGIs to process forms.

Javascript to validate forms.

HTML pages created “on the fly” by the server in response to user input.

II

As above, plus: Knowledge of basic unix commands, symbolic links, grep search and replace, etc. Can hand-code advanced HTML, including links to includes (both serverside includes and local author / template includes). Can custom configure complex HTML code validators and is adept at interpreting results of error reports. Basic-to-intermediate Web / database interactions using off-the-shelf tools.

Database-driven responses to user searches.

Web pages automatically updated from databases (for example, employment listings, inventory lists, etc.).

2+


1+

III

Code CGIs in C or in scripting languages. May use object-oriented languages, but perhaps not in a highly object-oriented way. Can perform complex functions (including database integration) using off-the-shelf Web programming environments such as Cold Fusion, ASP, etc. May not have HTML skills. May have experience with content-management / site-personalization software (vignette or other).

C

Metrowerks CodeWarrior
or similar environment

Cold Fusion

ASP

ISP

Vignette

Authentication / encryption. Simple Web commerce systems.

Makes tactical decisions regarding use of client vs. server executables.

Capable of integrating content-management / site-personalization systems.

1+



1–2



1+

IV

Can create NSAPI / ISAPI programs (Web-server plug-ins) in C or C++. If Java programmer, has created applets and / or servlets from scratch (by writing code directly) that demonstrably work and will run cross-platform. Knows one or more JDK environments. May not have HTML skills.

C++

Objective C

Java - JDKS

Complex Web commerce systems including transactional processing (money transfer).

Can create Web-based applications, moving towards using the Web as a Java-based operating system. Work on advanced-functionality intranets, secure sites, or distributed computing.