Assessment Questions and Answers

Describe the difference between an XML Sitemap and an HTML Sitemap. List the benefits and disadvantages of using each.

An XML sitemap is designed for search engines to crawl URLs efficiently; an HTML sitemap helps users navigate a site. XML sitemaps improve SEO but aren’t user-friendly, while HTML sitemaps enhance user experience but lack crawling metadata.

Evaluate three IDEs (Integrated development environments) and provide a brief summary on the positive and negative aspects of each. Also, in your own words include how it would suit an entry-level trainee code developer.

Visual Studio Code: A lightweight editor with integrated terminal, extensions, and IntelliSense—ideal for trainees.

Sublime Text: Fast and clean with solid HTML support; limited built-in version control, so beginners may outgrow it quickly.

Brackets: A free, web-focused IDE that’s beginner-friendly but updates infrequently, making it less future-proof.

Provide a brief history on web browser development and the issues encountered by web developers, specifically, the adherence to web standards.

  • 1993 – Mosaic launches, first widely used graphical browser.
  • 1994 – Netscape Navigator debuts, dominating early market share.
  • 1995 – Internet Explorer arrives, sparking the “browser wars.”
  • 1997 – W3C promotes formal web standards to curb inconsistencies.
  • 2004 – Mozilla Firefox launches, championing open-source and standards.
  • 2008 – Google Chrome is released, excelling in speed and simplicity.
  • 2020 – Microsoft Edge switches to Chromium, improving standards compliance.
  • Today – Major browsers largely follow standards, though minor quirks remain.

What are website testing methodologies? Your answer MUST cover browser compatibility and website functionality.

  • Browser Compatibility Testing: Ensures a consistent experience across different browsers and devices.
  • Functionality Testing: Verifies that forms, buttons, navigation, and back-end processes (like submissions and logins) work correctly.

What are the endorsed requirements of accessibility for all NT Government webpages?

NTG mandates all websites comply with WCAG 2.0 at Level AA. Key requirements include:

  • Screen reader compatibility: navigable via assistive technologies.
  • Alternative text for images: all non-decorative images must have alt text.
  • Keyboard navigation: full site usability using only a keyboard.
  • Sufficient color contrast: text and backgrounds must meet readability standards for visual impairments.

How do you think it’s best to organise all the assets used for a specific webpage? Think locally on your computer AND within the root folder of the website.

In an HTML project folder (e.g., my-website/):

  • index.html (and other HTML files)
  • css/ – stylesheets (e.g., styles.css)
  • js/ – JavaScript files (e.g., script.js)
  • images/ – image assets (e.g., logo.png, banner.jpg)
  • fonts/ – custom font files (e.g., .ttf)
  • media/ – videos or audio files