First Course in Java, EDP 304147, Summer 2010 Schedule and Syllabus

Schedule, Tally, Syllabus, Grading Policy, Emailing Homework, Downloading Java

Schedule

Session

Date

Topic (and link to lecture notes)

 Chapter in Textbook

Homework is due before 6 p.m. on the Saturday day before the next session

1

07 JUN

Java Fundamentals

1
(pp. 1-34)

  • Students explain what they would like to get from the class.

  • Instructor explains class syllabus: weekly homework (50%) and weekly quizzes (50%) = final grade

  • Format and deadline (6 PM Saturday) for emailing homework

  • Lecture

  • Demo: HelloWorld and HelloCommandLineArgs

  • In-class assignment: Write, compile, and run a program that uses  multiplication, division, and modulus.

  • Homework #1: Download the SDK, configure the SDK (set the PATH), and write a program that demonstrates the use of the modulus operator

  • Quiz

2

14 JUN

Introducing Data Types and Operators

 2
(pp. 35-70)

Homework #2: Write a program that uses relational and logical operators

3

21 JUN

Program Control Statements

 3
(pp. 71-114)		 Homework #3: Write a program that uses an if-else-if ladder, a for loop, and a do-while loop

4

28 JUN

Introducing Classes, Objects, and Methods

 4
(pp. 115-150)		 Homework #4: Write two classes that each have a parameterized constructor
    *** NO CLASS ON 05-JULY ***    

5

12 JUL

More Data Types and Operators

5
(pp.151-184, so we skip pp. 185-200)		 In-class Lab: Write a program that uses the ternary (?) operator, and that also includes the same logic written using standard if, else statements.

Homework #5: Write a program that

  • uses a string method - in addition to or other than length() - on an array of strings
  • uses two String methods on one or more Strings that are not in an array of Strings

Study the Strings examples at

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/java/data/strings.html

and/or at  http://javaalmanac.com/egs/java.lang/pkg.html#Strings

and write a program that does something with Strings that you consider useful.

  • One use case might be to remove the prefix "Mr. or Mrs." from a list of names. Another might be to remove the suffix ", Jr." and ", Sr."

  • Another use case might be to compare two strings and find any differences

6

19 JUL

A Closer Look at Methods and Classes

6
(pp. 201-250)

In-class Lab: Write a program that passes objects to a method.

Homework #6: Write a program with overloaded methods and constructors. For example,

  • SavingsAccount constructors for no initial deposit and with initial deposit
  • calculateInterest method for SavingsAccount and for CheckingAccount

8:30 - 8:45 Preliminary Course Evaluation (please fill out a form)

7

26 JUL

Inheritance

 7
(pp. 251-300)

 

 In-class Labs:
  • Write a program that demonstrates the order of construction in a multilevel class hierarchy.
  • Write an abstract class called Animal that has at least one abstract method and one non-abstract method. Extend the abstract class by implementing the abstract method it inherits. Override a non-abstract  method it inherits.

Homework #7: Write a program that overrides a method inherited from the superclass and that uses the keywords this and super to make use of both versions. In other words, the subclass will call both this.myMethod() and super.myMethod().

8

02 AUG

Packages and Interfaces

 8
(pp. 301-332)
  • In-class Lab: create and import packages.
  • Homework #8: Make an IAnimal interface in one file named IAnimal.java that specifies the speak() and eat() methods. Implement the interface in Dog.java, and Cat.java. Put the main method in AnimalDemo.java. Email an executable jar file that includes the .java files, the .class files, and the manifest file that specifies the main class. See the "JAR instructions" in the lecture notes.

9

09 AUG 

Exception Handling

 Chapter 9 (pp. 333-363)
  • In class lab: write a program that uses multiple catch statements to demonstrate that the catch statement for if a subclass exception must precede the catch statement for a superclass exception.
  • Homework #9: Write a program with exception handling that uses try, catch, and finally (or add exception handling to one of your earlier programs), including both a standard and a custom exception.

10

16 AUG

Input/Output (I/O)

 Chapter 10 (pp. 365-406)
  • In class lab: write a program that compares two files but ignores case (see page 384).
  • Homework #10 in class: Write a program that writes characters the user enters at the keyboard to a file named KeyboardInput.txt.
  • Calculate course grades
  • Fill out course evaluation form

Syllabus

Textbook (required)

Java A Beginner's Guide, Fourth Edition
4th Edition (2007)
by Herbert Schildt
McGraw Hill/Osborne
623 pages.

4th Edition: ISBN: 0072263849 ($39.99 list price; $26.39 + shipping on Amazon)

(Note: by 2011, when Java 7 releases, the book will have a 5th edition.)

 

Other Books To Consider

An introduction that assumes the reader is new to programming.
Java Demystified: A Self-Teaching Guide
Jim Keogh
McGraw Hill/Osborne (2004)
300 pages
ISBN 0-07-225454-8 ($16)

An introduction similar to our textbook, but more comprehensive and with less guidance for the non-programmer:
Java 2 The Complete Reference
Seventh Edition (2006)
by Herbert Schildt
McGraw Hill/Osborne
1024 pages
ISBN: 0072263857 ($33)

Innovative teaching style: photos, cartoons, puzzles, and whatever else might keep you from getting bored.
Head First Java, 2nd Edition
by Kathy Sierra & Bert Bates
O'Reilly (2005)
ISBN: 0596007736 ($30)
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/hfjava/?CMP=IL7015

Handy reference if you do not want to use http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/docs/api/
(also has a brief introduction for people who are already programmers):
Java in a Nutshell, 5th Edition
by David Flanagan
2005
Series: In a Nutshell
ISBN 0-596-00773-6
992 pages, $30

More thorough and detailed than what we cover in this introductory course.
Best for people with a C/C++ background.
Learning Java, 3rd Edition (2005)
Patrick Niemeyer & Jonathan Knudsen
O'Reilly
0596008732
856 pages, $30

Course Description 

http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/cat/course346.html
X429.9 (2 semester units in EECS)
Java, with its platform independence and support for animation, graphics, and sound, is heavily used in interactive Web pages that work on Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, and other platforms. Learn the Java programming language even if you aren't a programmer. Examine fundamental programming concepts and statements and basic object-oriented programming, and get an introduction to Java applets. On successful completion of the course you are able to write simple Java applications and applets and be prepared to undertake advanced courses in Java.

Our Focus:
Applets (logic within a web browser) and Swing (graphical user interface) will be briefly introduced. Today, Java is heavily used in servlets and middleware (business logic that runs on a server without a graphical user interface). One example would be web services, such as https://www.discoverygate.com/webservice/1.0/. This introductory course for nonprogrammers focuses on the Java programming language and covers fundamental programming concepts and basic object-oriented programming. On successful completion of the course, you will be able to write simple Java applications and be prepared to undertake courses that assume some background in object-oriented computer programming and/or the ability to learn Java skills rapidly.

Grading Policy

Criteria for Grading the Homework

  • Homework
    • Is the homework emailed on time?
    • 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: is the implementation sufficient, without unnecessary complexity?
  • Naming:
    • Do variables and members have consistent names that adhere to standard Java conventions?
    • Are the names indicative?
  • 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 five weeks.

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

  • I do not accept USB drives or floppy disks because of the risks of a computer virus.
  • Attach each homework’s source code file to an email as a text file attachment, such as MyHelloWorld.java.
  • Do NOT
    • insert your source code in the body of the email (formatting lost)
    • send compiled bytecode (unnecessary because I want to compile your codce)
    • 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)
         
The email Subject line should follow this format:
·         Email Header: First Course in Java Homework #1, Student 03hj

The attached Java source code file must contain the following:

  • a comment header that:

    • identifies you

    • provides sample output

    • details any usage instructions necessary to run the program

  • your source code

 

The header comment should follow this format:

/* First Course in Java, EDP311720
   Homework 1
   Student 03hj, HENDRIX, Jimi
   Usage: java HelloWorld
   Sample output:
   Hello World!
*/
/*
 * The HelloWorld class is an application that
 * displays "Hello World!" to the standard output.
 */
 public class HelloWorld {
 // Display "Hello World!"
 public static void main(String[] args) {
      System.out.println("Hello World!");
      }
   }
  • The timestamp of your email of the current week's homework to java@WORDesign.com must be before 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
  • If you email the homework by 5:00 p.m. Friday, I can probably help you solve any problem you might be having with the homework.
  • Note: I do not check email during regular working hours (Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
  • Each day your homework is late, it loses a grade, for example, an A (4) becomes a B (3).
  • To verify that I received your homework, please check the Tally page after 12:00  noon Monday.

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 copies the text.
  4. Paste the text in your source code file.

Download the Java Development Kit, Standard Edition - J2SE 6.0

Download Sun's Standard Edition (SE) JDK (Java Development Kit) for your computer's platform:

For MacOS, Java is already built-in, and Apple users should read: http://developer.apple.com/java/

For Windows or Linux,

Note: Reference documentation for the Core Application Programming Interface (API) Specification (Java "hooks" into the C++ source code behind Java) are at    http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/api/

Use a Text Editor

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.

Integrated development environments (IDEs) with sophisticated features are good for developing large, enterprise level applications involving many developers, but I do NOT recommend them for the first 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. I list  some IDEs for your information only.

About the instructor

Thomas Albert has taught First Course in Java 14 terms:

  • Spring 2010 in progress (EDP 3235834)
  • Fall 2009 (EDP 311944)
  • Summer 2009 (EDP 305375)
  • Fall 2008 (EDP 318402)
  • Spring 2007 (EDP 306969)
  • Summer 2006 (EDP 304758)
  • Fall 2005 (EDP 321299)
  • Summer 2005 (EDP 305789)
  • Spring 2005 (EDP 126581)
  • Fall 2004 (EDP 128645)
  • Summer 2004(EDP 124115)
  • Spring 2004 (EDP 123158)
  • Summer 2003 (EDP 135277)
  • Spring 2003 (EDP 306704)

He is Advisory Technical Writer for Software Developer Documentation at Symyx Technologies, a Silicon Valley firm that serves the biotech and pharmaceutical chemistry industries.
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 12 years experience in publishing technical information about software and 8 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.
For more information, see http://www.WORDesign.com

last updated: 2009-DEC-31
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