W2 Results

W2 applet programming went very well. Everybody did a great job and I consider that at this point you all are familiar with the working environment and the way to develop, test, and post your results. That was the goal of w1 and w2.

Quiz was a different story. It was very simple for the first quiz and the goal was to show that you need to really read and deeply understand (also remember) the main java tools and methods used in every chapter. Good preparation really pays. Since the group is strong – looks like the main grade variance will be on quizzes (and some difficult tasks later).
Also want to remind you that you should daily read your mail and news forum. Excuses that you didn’t read them and missed some important announcement will not be accepted.

One more advice – read Q&A section even if you didn’t post a problem – since most likely someone else did and the solution has been explained – I noticed new questions were appearing on topics explained in Q&A forums.
Some of you are still trying to make the html file name same as your applet – it is not necessary.

Take week 3 very seriously. Despite a very simplistic explanation of the methods and variables in the book – the topic is verrr-ry important. Additionally read the following material on methods: http://www.otherwise.com/Lessons/MethodsCreationAndUse.html
or/and http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/java/javaOO/arguments.html

Java language, finally...

In weeks 1 and 2 you learned and tested basic Java applet environment, settings, and principles. Now in week 3 you can start learning the Java language itself in the same interactive environment. Every language has several main parts:
• Variables, Methods (as mechanisms of passing variables and constants among the parts of the overall software project – “plumbing”), and Data Types;
• Computational flow controls (conditionals and loops, as well as threads on macro level)
• Classes
• Advanced data structures

Variables and Methods will be the topic of week 3. Pay special attention to methods since they can dramatically simplify your programming work if being properly understood and used.

Commentary on W2 grading and problems is coming soon…

About this blog

Here I will offer additional commentary, tasks modifications (if necessary), help, explanations and... changes in requirements, when necessary. The course is more flexible than traditional courses and more responsive to the learning situation. Using this blog will also allow me to issue special announcements, additions, corrections, updates, etc. from one place regardless of what course management tools we use.
Reading this blog is mandatory.