CS 46A - Lecture 1

Cay S. Horstmann

CS 46A

• First course in computer science
• For green sheet, contact information, etc., see http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/cay.horstmann
• Learn to program in Java
• Learn fundamental concepts of computer science
• Learn good software engineering habits

Why Computer Science

• Ten sensible reasons
• My reason: It's fun and creative
  • People have always wanted to create new things
  • That's what we do all the time
  • Get positive feedback quickly when stuff works
  • It's amazing to see how the computer executes what you dreamt up
  • It's amazing to see other people use what you have built
• (And it pays the bills)
  • Google for Best Jobs 2011
  • Wall Street Journal: #1 job is software engineer
  • Huffington Post: #1 job is software engineer
  • Bureau of Labor Statistics: 6 of the ten fastest growing occupations that require a BS are in computing: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocotjt1.htm

What Do Computer Scientists Do?

What Will We Do In This Course?

• Fundamental programming concepts: variables, functions, classes, arrays, inheritance
• Programming with Java
• How to design algorithms and programs
• Planning, testing, and debugging
• Learn how to learn a complex and ever-changing subject
• No prior knowledge of programming or computer science is required

Changing Your Brain

From: J. Zull, The Art of Changing the Brain, Stylus Publishing, 2002

Active Learning

• No couch potatos!
• You read the book before class
• Exercises during lectures
• You need your laptop for every lecture
• Mandatory lab
• You fail the class if you don't do the lab
• Lots of homework
• You only learn by doing
• You only learn if you do it yourself

Course Challenges

• Prerequisites?
  • Junior high school reading, writing, arithmetic
• Aptitude?
  • Most people can learn basic programming
• Interest?
  • CS is creative and rewarding, but it can also be tedious
• Time?
  • You can't expect to learn complex skills by listening to lectures
• Study habits?
  • Your brain needs time to learn. Don't try to do all work the night of the due date

Your Responsibilities

• Come to every class meeting
  • And come to every lab meeting
• Do the assigned reading before class.
  • I won't lecture on the material that you can read yourself
• Submit two versions of each programming assignment
  • I don't want you to start working the day before the due date
• Spend 12 hours per week for this class
  • 2.5 hours in class
  • 2.5 hours in the lab
  • 7 hours (!) for preparation and homework
• Ask questions right away when you are stuck
  • Use the online discussion group. You'll get a better grade if you ask lots of questions.
  • Answer your peers' questions. You'll get a better grade if you do.

Homework

• Homework is due before every class meeting
• Every Tuesday and Sunday 6 pm
• Grace period for uploading until 11:59 pm
  • Don't rely on it—get it done by 6 pm
  • No mercy after midnight
• Exception: Homework 0 is due this Thursday!!!
• Assignment is in Canvas
• Something to submit into the dropbox
  • Homework 0: Screen captures of installation
  • Homework1: Java Programs
• Programming assignments in two stages
  • Draft: Something that does a part of the job (must compile)
  • Final: The complete solution

Lab

• You must register for a lab section
• You must attend the lab sections in order to pass the class
  • Lab grade F ⇒course grade F
  • Lab grade A - D counts for 5% of the course
• Bring your laptop to the lab
• You will work with a buddy
• One of you writes code, the other types up answers
• Switch roles each week
• Submit lab work to Canvas

Questions

• You will be stuck
  • A lot
  • I am too, all the time
• It is really important to ask questions
• Ask questions on the online discussion board
• You get points for asking questions
• You get points for answering questions
• Private or confidential questions—email or office hours

The Textbook

• Read the textbook before each class meeting

  Bring the textbook to class and labs

  You need the book now

  You need the current edition

Adding

• Send me email (Cay.Horstmann@sjsu.edu) with the following form filled out:

  Your name:
  Your student ID:
  Your major:
  Check one: [ ] Undergraduate, [ ] Graduate, [ ] Open university 
  Repeating the class? [ ] Yes, [ ] No
  Course you need [ ] CS46A, [ ] SE46A
  Already invited to Canvas/Piazza? [ ] Yes, [ ] No
  Lab section (Check ALL that work for you) [ ] T1700-1945, [ ] F0800-1045, [ ] F1100-1345, [ ] F1400-1645

• I will send you an add code when space becomes available. Use it within 24 hours, or it will become invalid
• You MUST register for the lab that I assign to you, or you will be instructor-dropped from both the course and the lab
• Respond to the invitation in Canvas/Piazza and do all the work
• Show up for all classes/labs

Things To Do Today

• Log into Canvas and Piazza
• Upload a photo into your profile so I know who you are
• Read the instructions for Homework 0
• Look at Quiz1 to see what you are supposed to read before class
• Get the textbook and start reading it
• Get a laptop and start installing software (see homework instructions)