EL ENG X429.9 First Course in Java, Spring 2015 Schedule and Syllabus

http://extension.berkeley.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=40960

• Tuesday evenings, 6:30 - 9:30 pm, 13-JANUARY to 17-FEBRUARY
• 160 Spear St. (or enter from Main Street), San Francisco, Room 711  http://extension.berkeley.edu/static/locations/sf/#sfcampus
• BART Embarcadero Station is 1.5 blocks north
• $695

Transportation info at: http://extension.berkeley.edu/loc/sf.html#down

Schedule

Syllabus

• Textbook
• Course Description
• Grading
• Submitting Homework
• Download the Java Development Kit

Textbook (required)

Java A Beginner's Guide, 6th Edition (2014) by Herbert Schildt McGraw Hill/Osborne 600 pages. Its code samples are at http://www.mhprofessional.com/getpage.php?c=oraclepress_downloads.php&cat=4222 and a PDF of the first chapter (5th ed.) is at http://www.mhprofessional.com/downloads/products/0071606327/01-ch01_6327.pdf Available in paper from Amazon for $26 http://www.amazon.com/Java-Beginners-Guide-Herbert-Schildt/dp/0071809252 or $26 from Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/java-sixth-edition-herbert-schildt/1120732239?ean=9780071809269 $40 from Oracle Press http://www.mhprofessional.com/product.php?isbn=0071809260

Other Books To Consider

An introduction similar to our textbook, but more comprehensive and with less guidance for the non-programmer:
Java: The Complete Reference
Nonth Edition (201)
by Herbert Schildt
McGraw Hill/Osborne
1000 pages
 ($40)
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/java-the-complete-reference-9-e-herbert-schildt/1120732238?ean=9780071808552

Entertaining, conversation style that includes photos, cartoons, puzzles, humor. Assumes knowledge of scripting. Covers Java 5 but the current version is Java 8.
Head First Java, 2nd Edition
by Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates
O'Reilly
ISBN: 0596007736 ($30)
Free e-book at http://it-ebooks.info/book/3214/
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/hfjava/?CMP=IL7015

Handy reference if you do not want to use the API Reference at http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/
(also has a brief introduction for people who are already programmers):
Java in a Nutshell, 6th Edition
http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920030775.do 2014

More thorough and detailed than what we cover in this introductory course.
Best for people with a C/C++ background. Introduces the Eclipse IDE.
Learning Java, 4rd Edition (2013) - covers Java 7
Patrick Niemeyer
O'Reilly
0596008732
856 pages, $40
http://shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920023463.do

Course Description 

http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cat/course346.html

An elective in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Information Systems and Management and in the Professional Sequence in Database Management

Java—with its platform independence—is heavily used in Web applications and middleware that work on Windows, Macintosh, UNIX and other platforms. Examine fundamental programming concepts, and get an introduction to object-oriented programming. Upon successful completion of the course, you are able to write simple applications and are prepared for courses that assume some familiarity with Java.

You do not need any background in programming to succeed in this course, and Java is easier to learn than C or C++.

You are welcome to bring your own laptop. The classroom does not provide computers but does have free wireless Internet access. Download Java SE 7 at www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html and see the configuration instructions at www.write-technical.com/126581/session1/syllabus.htm#Download.

X429.9 (2 semester units in EECS)

Grading Policy

Criteria for Grading the Homework

• Homework
  • Is the homework emailed on time (see deadline)?
  • Does the header comply with the required format?
  • Does the code compile?
  • Does the code run?
  • Does the code address the assignment problem?
  • Does the code solve the assignment problem?
• Adherence to structured design methodology and, when appropriate, object-oriented design
• Simplicity and Elegance: is the implementation sufficient and concise, without unnecessary complexity? You are free to explorer all you want on your own, but remember that the instructor has many programs to evaluate each week, so "Less Is More".
• Naming:
  • Do variables and members have consistent names that adhere to standard Java conventions?
  • Are the names indicative of the roles those members play in the overall design?
• Documentation (code comments)
  • Do the comments explain briefly the big picture at the top: approach, algorithm, usage tips?
  • Do the comments make the code easier to understand and maintain, without stating the obvious or causing clutter?

Attendance

You are responsible for your work. You do not have to contact the instructor with a reason of absence.

Withdrawing

If you decide to withdraw, it is your responsibility to make sure that U.C. Berkeley Extension processes your withdraw request and removes your name from the final grading form. If your name appears on the official grading form, the instructor will assign you the grade you earned at the end of the course.

Grading Options for UCBX Courses

·        CLG - Credit-Letter-Grade is the normal grading option.
 

·        P/NP - Pass/No-Pass. Requires 70% for a Pass.
 

·        C/NC - Credit/No-Credit. A grade of No Credit will be assigned if you have done
insufficient work for any of the other grading options.
 

·        W - Withdraw. If you cannot complete the course, you will normally be assigned a
grade of NC. Under certain circumstances, you might be eligible to "Withdraw" from the
course. You must initiate this action directly with UC Berkeley Extension.
 

·        INC - Incomplete. If you have completed 60% of the course work, but cannot finish the
work by the end of the term, you are eligible for an Incomplete. You must get the form from Extension and have me sign the form by the last day of class, then make a copy for your records. I will submit the form along with the course grades and keep a copy for clearing the incomplete. See the section below: "Clearing Incompletes".

Method of Assigning Course Grades

·        If you earned a 'B' or better, I assign the earned grade.

·        If you have at least a 70% AND you have requested the P/NP option, I assign a grade of Pass. 

·        If you have not completed 60% of the course work, I assign a grade of No Credit.

If you have done 60% - 79% of the course work and have not requested P/NP, I assign an Incomplete.

Clearing Incompletes

If you received an Incomplete, you have 90 days from the last class meeting.
to submit all remaining work.
To clear an incomplete, email all the remaining work on one day in a zip.

Remember to identify each assignment with your full name, the term it pertains to, and the name
and EDP number of the course it pertains to.

Clearing incompletes involves significant administrative overhead on my part. To minimize
the work, I only address the clearing of incompletes once a month, on the last weekend of the
month. Therefore, it may actually be several weeks before I clear an incomplete once all work
has been submitted. When you see the updated grades on the website tally, contact
Extension directly to get an updated transcript.

Tally Page of Grades for Quizzes and Homework

See explanations on the Tally page.

Submitting Homework and Quiz

• Attach each homework’s source code file to an email as an attachment, such as MyHelloWorld.java, where MyHelloWorld is the name of the class. If you prefer, you can name your homework class something like Homework1.
• Include the numbered quiz questions and answers in the body of the same email that has the homework .java file as an attachment. Please include the answer in-line with the question:
  
• Do NOT
  • send the .class file, that is compiled bytecode (unnecessary because I want to compile your code)
  • insert your source code in the body of the email (formatting lost)
  • attach a ZIP archive (unnecessary unless your project has multiple source code files)
• BEFORE you send the email to me, please verify the following:
  • your work addresses the assignment (if you have any doubts, email me beforehand)
  • your source code file is named correctly for the class it contains
  • your source code compiles (using only the command-line compiler)
  • the resulting class file runs (using only the command-line)
  • your comments explain what your code does in a clear, brief manner
  • your formatting and naming of class members and variables conform to Java conventions
  • the header comment of the source code file provides
    • sample output
    • any special usage information (for example, if a user must type a special argument at the command line)

Format

Email Address, Deadline, and Late Penalty

•  Send homework and any messages about the course to:
  
• The timestamp of your email of the current week's homeworkmust be before 5:00 p.m. on the SUNDAY after that week's lecture.
• To get help, homework, send a message by 5:00 p.m. SATURDAY, .
• Note: I do NOT check email during regular working hours (Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• If the timestamp of the arrival of the email is late by > 0 minutes and < 24 hours, it loses one point. For example, a 5 becomes a 4.
  A homework email that I receive 24 hours + 01 minute late gets a maximum of 3.
  A homework email that I receive 48 hours + 01 minute late gets a maximum of 2. 
• To verify that I received your homework, check the Tally page after 8:00 a.m. Tuesday.

Download and Configure the Java Development Kit, Standard Edition - Java SE 8

[see also the complete Schedule and Syllabus: http://www.write-technical.com/126581/session1/syllabus.htm ]

For Windows, Linux, or Mac:

1. To verify whether you already have Java configured, start a command prompt (or terminal), and type java -version
   • If you see java version "1.8.0" or higher, you are already configured.
2. Go to http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html?ssSourceSiteId=ocomen
   
   
   
   and download Java SE 8u5  (or higher)
   Make sure you choose the JDK option, NOT the Server JRE or JRE.
   The JDK (Java Development Kit), which allows you to compile your own programs.
   Do NOT download the JRE (Java Runtime Environment), which merely allows deployed applications to execute.
3. Accept the license agreement and download the version for your platform. For example:
   
   
   
   XP is 32-bit, but most installations of Windows 7 are 64-bit.
4. Click Save File, and make note of the path to which the installer is downloaded.
   
   TIP: On Windows, create your own c:\java folder and install into that. Many Windows users do not have permissions to the Program Files folder.
    
5. Navigate to the directory to which you downloaded the installer.
6. Launch the installer application.
7. Grant permission for the installer to run.
8. Follow the instructions of the installation wizard.
9. Note the directory in which the JDK is being installed.
10. If the installer launches a secondary installer for Java FX, do not install Java FX.
11. To verify the installation:
    Mac: open a Terminal
    Windows: open a command-line console (On the Start menu, run "command"), type
    
    java -version
    and press Enter.
    You should see something similar to the following:
    
    java version "1.8.5"
    
12. Verify the location of your installation:
    
    Mac: in a Terminal, type which java
    Windows: verify that the installation folder has a \bin\ subfolder that contains javac.exe, the compiler, and java.exe, the interpreter.
    
13. Copy to a text editor or write down the exact path to the bin directory.
14. Create a text file named HelloWorld.java as a test application with the following code and remember, Java is case-sensitive:
    
    class HelloWorld
    { 
      public static void main(String[] args)
      {
        System.out.println("Hello World!");
      }
    }
    
    
15. In a command console or Terminal, cd to the directory with HelloWorld.java and type javac HelloWorld.java
    and remember, Java is case-sensitive.
16. Verify that the compiler produced bytecode:
    Mac: type ls
    Windows: Type dir
    The list should contain HelloWorld.class.

Troubleshooting 'javac' is not recognized and setting the PATH on Windows

1. Note that you are likely see this message:
   'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
   operable program or batch file.
   This means that the Windows PATH environment variable is not configured to find the javac compiler.
   [For Mac, see http://www.write-technical.com/126581/session1/syllabus.htm#Apple_ ]
2. To find out if you can invoke the compiler with the full path, at the command prompt, type:
   
   "C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0\bin\javac" HelloWorld.java
   
   where jdk1.8.0 represents the directory that contains the bin directory and
   quotation marks envelope the path to ensure it is parsed as one string, even if it contains blank spaces.
3. Type dir and verify the existence newly created file, HelloWorld.class.
4. Close this console.
   
   We now want to set the PATH so that we can invoke javac without explicitly providing the full path.
5. Remember the path to bin, which might be C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_21\bin
6. Go to Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced.
7. Click Environment Variables.
8. Under System Variables, select PATH and click Edit.
9. Left-arrow to the beginning of the PATH and paste in the following at the beginning of the PATH:
   C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0\bin;
   which represents the path to the compiler, inside the bin subdirectory, followed by a semicolon, which is ;
   
10. Click OK until the Control Panel closes.
11. Open a new console window, navigate to your test application, and type javac HelloWorld.java
    and remember, Java is case-sensitive:
12. Verify that the prompt returns with no message.
13. Type dir *.class to see if the compiler created a file named HelloWorld.class
14. Type java HelloWorld and press Enter,
    and remember, Java is case sensitive.
15. Verify that you see the output, "Hello World!"

Troubleshooting class not found by setting the CLASSPATH

1. IF you get a message saying something like "class not found", you must create or update your CLASSPATH environment variable to point to the current directory. Follow the instructions for PATH, but this time update or create a new variable call CLASSPATH and set its value to
   .
   that is a period (.) with nothing before or after the period.
   
2. Close any open console window.
3. Start a new console window, type java HelloWorld and press Enter,
   and remember, Java is case-sensitive.
4. Verify that you see the output "Hello World!"

Note: Another version of this information is http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/essential/environment/paths.html

Apple Macintosh OS X

Use a Text Editor, not Notepad or Word

For this First Course in Java, we recommend that you write your source code using a text editor you like.
Some text editors feature "syntax highlighting", that is, color to your source code to indicate the type (comments, keywords, strings, brackets, numbers).
Some provide shortcut keys that make it easier to compile and run a command-line application.

• TextPad: http://www.textpad.com ($32, easy to use, with useful features for this course)
  • has a free trial version
  • Includes integration with the Java Development Kit. See the TextPad help topic "How to Use with the Java Development Kit"

• Notepad++ (free) -  http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm
  Tip: Use F6 and Enter to set up compile and run for a given Java program as explained at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWcov4OmW1I

1. UltraEdit-32: http://www.ultraedit.com/ ($60: with more features - more than is needed for this class)
2. JEdit, a text editor written in Java: http://sourceforge.net/projects/jedit/ and perhaps a good choice for Mac users
3. The following lack essential features of a Java editor and are NOT recommended:
   • Notepad - no color coding (free with Windows, but not the best choice for learning Java)
   • Word--save as text - (free with Windows, but not the best choice for learning Java)
   • vi or emacs (UNIX)
   • SimpleText (Mac)
4. Sublime Text, which runs on Windows, Mac, Linux and supports many other languages besides Java: http://www.sublimetext.com/ No cost for evaluation, and evaluation has no definite time limit.

Integrated development environments (IDEs) with sophisticated features are good for developing large, enterprise level applications involving many developers. I do NOT recommend them if this is your very first programming course because gaining familiarity with a new tool costs time, can distract the student from the fundamental language concepts, and can complicate the submission of your homework by email.

Some students are already using Eclipse, which is free. I list  some IDEs for your information but do NOT support your use of them for this course.

• Eclipse framework is free and popular with professional Java programmers - http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

While you type, Eclipse Code Assist shows the possible choices, along with help about the currently selected option:

Additional IDEs:

• Java NetBeans IDE (free at http://netbeans.org/)
• MetroWerks CodeWarrior ($195 - $995; Mac OS, Windows, Linux)
• Oracle JDeveloper: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/jdev/overview/index.html

How to copy output from the DOS window

1. Click the icon for the command prompt, which is in the top left corner. A menu appears.
   
2. Select Edit > Mark
3. Drag your cursor over the characters that you want to mark for saving. This selects the text.
4. To copy the text to the clipboard, press the Enter key.
5. Paste the text in your source code file.
6. Recommended: use Edit > Properties to configure the console for QuickEdit Mode:
   

TIP: Use the Up Arrow key to cycle through previous commands. This saves you from having to retype them.

File System Navigation Commands, such as dir and cd ..

DOS-style commands often used at the command line:

• cd\  changes directory to the system root
• cd ..  changes directory up one level
• dir  prints to the screen the files (and directories) visible at that level

More commands are listed at http://www.computerhope.com/msdos.htm#02

About the instructor

Thomas Albert has taught First Course in Java for the following terms:

1. Spring 2014
2. Fall 2013
3. Summer 2013 (EDP 155366)
4. Spring 2013 (EDP156240)
5. Fall 2012 (EDP 158287)
6. Summer 2012 (EDP 154286)
7. Spring 2012 (EDP 303776)
8. Fall 2011 (EDP 311100)
9. Summer 2011 (EDP 315440)
10. Spring 2011 (EDP 306936)
11. Fall 2010 (EDP 318063)
12. Summer 2010 (EDP 304147)
13. Spring 2010 (EDP 3235834)
14. Fall 2009 (EDP 311944)
15. Summer 2009 (EDP 305375)
16. Fall 2008 (EDP 318402)
17. Spring 2007 (EDP 306969)
18. Summer 2006 (EDP 304758)
19. Fall 2005 (EDP 321299)
20. Summer 2005 (EDP 305789)
21. Spring 2005 (EDP 126581)
22. Fall 2004 (EDP 128645)
23. Summer 2004(EDP 124115)
24. Spring 2004 (EDP 123158)
25. Summer 2003 (EDP 135277)
26. Spring 2003 (EDP 306704)

He is Advisory Technical Writer for Software Developer Documentation at Accelrys, a global firm that serves the biotech and pharmaceutical research industries with Java-based middleware, .NET and web-based electronic laboratory notebooks, and chemical databases.
He writes sample code, syntax reference, and developer guide documentation involving Java, .NET, and the Cheshire scripting language for chemical structure database normalization.
He has 18 years experience in publishing technical information about software and 13 years experience teaching at the college level.
He holds a UC Berkeley Extension Certificate in Computer Information Systems, a doctoral degree in English, and a bachelors degree (with High Honors) in Political Science from U.C. Berkeley.

last updated: 05-MAY-2014
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