• Homework 1:  "Hi World"

   

  • Handed out Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2001
  • Due:  Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001, in class
  • Purpose:  get acquainted with our programming environment
  • Reading:  Beginning of chapter 1 (section 1.1)
  •  Assignment:
  •  
    1. Follow instructions on handout Getting Java Software for CS 120, to download and install BOTH the TextPad editor and the SystemDevelopers' Kit (SDK) from the internet.  Note that these are BIG downloads!  Do them from an Ethernet connection on campus, and during "off" hours (e.g., before 10 am or after 5pm) for the greatest speed.
    2. Enter in the code from example 1 (on page 1-1) of our text, GUI Java.   (You can copy and paste it from here)
    3.  Save it, execute it, debug it, save it again.
    4. Modify it in your own UNIQUE way!  E.g., Draw several rectangles and print several text fields.  Three requirements here:
    5. 1. Has to be original (no duplicating anyone else's code in class)
       2.  Has to include multiple SOMETHINGs (e.g., multiple shapes, multiple text, multiple scroll panes).
       3.    Must include at least one new METHOD (i.e., something NOT in the sample code on page 1-1; e.g., "drawOval")
  •   Details on how to turn it in:
  •               Show it to me on Wednesday, Sept. 5. in class!
     
•   Homework 2:   "Loops and Private Methods with Parameters"
•  
  •  Handed out Friday, August 31, 2001
  •   Due:  Monday, Sept. 10, end of day
  •   Purpose:  Learn
  • 1. repetition (loops),
    2. breaking up code into methods,
    3. methods that use parameters, and
    4. nested methods calls.
  • Reading:  Rest of chapter 1 (sections 1.2, 1.3) and Chapter 2, sections 2.1 and 2.2
  • Assignment:
  • 1. Make a copy of your entire HW1 project folder.  Call it something meaningful, like "HW2", and save it to floppy AND to your Lydia account.  Then you'll have backup!
    2. Create at least one private method that draws something complex, using the values of parameters.
    3. Write a loop in the "paint" method, the body of which calls your private method(s) over and over, to paint many copies of your complex something but differently each time, based on the parameter alues it is given in each call.
  •   Grading:
  • •  <=C for only ONE private method.
    •  <=B  for two or more private methods (that are actually called!).
    •  <= A for NESTED private methods!  (i.e., "paint" calls one method, which then calls another method).
    • Comment all of your methods and classes!  (keep 'em short and simple)
  • Turn in via WebCT
• Homework 3: click here
• RoboCode Extra Credit Experiment
  • OK, you talked me into it!  Let's try this.  First, this is an optional assignment, in that it is only for extra credit.  The credit comes in the form of extra points added to your homework grade.  Thus if you are awarded 10 points extra credit, I would add that to one of your homework grades, e.g., if you received a 73 on HW3, I would add 10 and revise that to an 83.
  • Now, to get the points, we will hold a tournament, of 20 rounds of combat among all those who contribute a working tank (by dropping in BOTH the .java and .class files into the "ROBOCODE I" folder in WebCT, by the due date Wed., 10-3-01).
  • The overall (total) scores are ranked by the robocode game.  I will award extra credit points as follows:  let's say 12 of us enter the contest.  The first place winner receives 12 points.  Second place gets 11.  Third gets 10, and so on.  So even dead last gets a point!  And the more who enter the more total points are available.  
  • I might or might not throw in some of the built-in 'bots, or one or two of my own, if I have time to write them!  
  • How to get started?
    1. Go visit the robocode website.  Download and install.  Also look around on the site and on related sites (go to google.com and type in "robocode".  Browse the documentation that comes with game.
    2. Extend the "Robot" or "AdvancedRobot" class.  Choose a class name that will very likely be different from anybody else's in the class.
    3. Experiment.  Try out your 'bot in battles with the built-in 'bots, multiple copies of your own, anybody else's you can get hold of, etc.
    4. Whenever you like, drop in both the .java and .class files in to the drop box on WebCT.
• Homework 4: click here
• Homework 5: click here
• Homework 6: click here

PROGRAMMING

• Language: Java
           LINKS:
  •  
    • Professor Ellerbruch has some excellent Java links.  Check out his page:
    •  
      • http://Ellerbruch.nmu.edu/classes/cs120w99/Resources120.html
        There are some nice on-line Java tutorials there.
    • Sun's JAVA documentation
    • Sun's site

  Platform:   NMU/IBM ThinkPads

TESTS AND QUIZES

• Added Quiz 1, a take-home, and practice for the test on THIS FRIDAY, Nov. 9, when I'll be gone to the Argonne Undergrad Symposium, but you'll be here!  Quiz 1 is due THIS WEDNESDAY, Nov. 7. (end of day is fine).  Solutions will be out Thursday in class.
• Added Exam 1 (here), due Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001 (end-of-day)

FINAL

• COMPREHENSIVE EXAM:
   
  • Open book, open notes
  • Here is the on-line Part II (actual programming!).  Instructions in comments in source code files.