WELCOME TO JAVA

To participate in this class you will need:

· A book (see syllabus).

· A computer (your own or at CCRI).

· Access to WebCT (which you clearly have if you are reading this)..

· Previous programming experience: You should have completed the Programming Concepts course at a minimum. Any other programming experience will be a real help to you.

· Java version 1.4.2 or newer installed on your computer. Download from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html. Click on "Download J2SE SDK".

· A text editor you can use. I recommend using TextPad (http://www.textpad.com). I recommend against using NotePad or WordPad. TextPad has many advantages over these!

· Program files from the author. These are included in the book and also installed on computers at CCRI (I:\Simply Java Examples). They are read-only in this folder; copy onto your own USB drive to work.

· Self-discipline: are you ready to read the book, do the tutorials, and do the assignments on your own? Not everyone is!

· To know when to ask for help – and when to keep trying. If you have spent an hour and feel you have made NO progress, then an e-mail to me is in order. When e-mailing me about a problem, you must send me 1) the program in its current state and 2) as much information as you can give me about what problem you are having. Things like "this doesn't run right" don't help me find the problem! Something like a copy/paste of an error message or a screenshot of a "funky" output do.

I will always be available for help during the lab portion of the class. Bring your "work in progress" with you. Appointments to see me in my office can be scheduled. Contact me to schedule an appointment.

Alternately, a private chat session using WebCT can be arranged to work on the problem.

How will this class be run?

· Each class will be divided into a lecture portion and a lab. The lecture will run approximately 2 to 3 hours, lab to follow. Attendance is up to you.

· There will be PowerPoint presentations for each class. There is one for each tutorial from the book publisher and one done by me. Be sure to go through them! Video of the classroom lectures will also be available to you through WebCT should you miss a class.

· You will be assigned tutorials to work through. There will not be anything to hand in from them, but they will be your primary introduction to the Java concepts. Not doing them will probably slow your progress down!

· There will be an assignment each week. Watch the syllabus and WebCT for when assignments are due. Assignment more than one week late will not be accepted unless prior permission has been granted. A late assignment is penalized 10% per week.

· There will be a quiz each week. Watch WebCT for when they are available and due. They are OPEN BOOK but timed. The intent is to alert the students to areas that need more attention. Any missed quiz will be graded 0: no makeups or late quizzes! The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

· You are responsible for checking WebCT's HomePage and your WebCT mail frequently. Announcements will be made there regarding assignments, chat sessions, all sorts of important information!

· There will be 2 exams. They account for 65% of your grade. More information about their structure later.

· Please do NOT work together on your assignments. You will have to write code when taking the two exams, and the best way to prepare for this is to WRITE (not copy) CODE.

· Please communicate with me using WebCT's Mail feature (not Pipeline/Internet e-mail). This will get you the fastest reply to your questions.

Ready? Set…Go! You can get the first PowerPoint and assignment any time. Hope you all have a rewarding semester!