CS1044, C++ Programming

Dr. Pam Vermeer
Section 1343, 8:00-9:00 am MWF, Norris 136
Section 1345, 11:00-12:00 noon MWF, Norris 136 

Announcements

Common Final Exam Time and Room

The common final exam will take place Monday, May 8th, 11:05 AM  - 1:05 PM in McBryde 100

5/7/00 - **** Final Exam Reminder ****

Final reminder that the final exam is TOMORROW, 11:05 a.m - 1:05 p.m. in McBryde 100.

Please arrive 10 - 15 minutes early so you can fill in the top part of the form before the exam period begins.

5/7/00 - **** CURRENT GRADES POSTED ****

I have just posted to the grades record web site EXACTLY what I have in my records as your score for each component of the class we have completed. Your numerical score is shown in the column labeled "Average". It is your average out of the 75% of the course work completed. The column labeled "Curve" is MEANINGLESS at this time.

To compute "possible outcomes" based on your final exam score, do the following:

Multiply the number in "Average" by 75. Add to that 25*(your final exam score prediction). Divide the result by 100.

CHECK YOUR SCORES!!! Notify me via email if there is a discrepancy between your records and my records. Include proof from your records of the necessary correction (i.e. email from the autograder, an email correspondence between you and me about a grade change, etc.)

I WILL ONLY FIX ERRORS REPORTED TO ME BY 5:00 PM, TUESDAY MAY 9TH. After that, all scores are assumed to be correct.

PLEASE check everything carefully before sending email to me!

Dr. Vermeer

4/24/00 - Autograder Activated for Program 6

The autograder has been activated for Program 6.  You have FIVE submissions allowed on this program.

4/23/00 - Program 6 Additional Test Data Available

Two additional sets of test data are available for Program 6 on the assignments page. The autograder will be activated Monday (tomorrow). Remember that the due date for Program 6 is Sunday, April 30th at midnight. No late programs will be accepted after Friday, May 5th, midnight. Please be aware that the last day to get help from the GTAs in McBryde 116/118 lab will be Wednesday, May 3rd, the last day of classes. The lab usually closes at 5:00 on the last day of classes.

4/22/00 - Program 6 Test Data Available

One set of test data is available for Program 6 on the assignments page. It is the data set from the program specification. Other data sets will be available later this weekend, or Monday April 23rd. You are encouraged to make your own data files to test your program.

4/17/00 - Program 6 Specification Available

The Program 6 specification is available on the assignments page.  Program 6 is due Sunday April 30th at midnight.  No late programs will be accepted after Friday May 5th, midnight.   The autograder will be activated this weekend, and test data will be made available this weekend, or Monday April 23rd at the very latest.  For now, you can easily make your own test files on which to test your program.  Be sure to try a file with just one movie as well as files with many movies!

4/15/00 - Current Grade in Class Posted

Your current numeric and letter grade for all of the completed work for the class is now posted on the Web CT grade record site.  This grade is for the 47.5% of the course we have completed so far.  Remaining to be computed into this grade is Project 5 (13%), Project 6 (13%), three more quizzes (1.5%), and the final exam (25%).  There is plenty of credit remaining in the class to change your grade significantly. NOTE: Although your numeric grade is shown in a field titled "Curve", this number is simply your raw total so far, (using the curved Test 2 score), divided by 47.5.  Your two lowest quiz scores so far have been dropped in this computation.

4/13/00 - Project 4 Software Engineering Results

Scores for Project 4 Software Engineering component are available by checking your grade record on the Web CT quiz system. The software engineering component of Project 4 is worth 2% of the total 10% of the class grade allocated for that project.  That is, 8% of your course grade will be based on program execution, and 2% on the design, documentation, style, and coding of the program.

4/13/00 - Test 2 Results

Test 2 results are available by checking your grade record on the Web CT quiz system.  The class average on the test using raw scores was a 62. A curve was applied to bring the average up to a 70.  The score shown in your records is your curved score.  A histogram distribution of the scores for the class  is shown below.

As a reminder, the weights for the tests, programs and quizzes are given below:
Test 1 = 8%, Test 2 = 12%, Final = 25%
Quizzes = 5% (10 quizzes @ 0.5% each

P1 = 2%, P2 = 4%, P3 = 8%, P4 = 10%, P5 = 13%, P6 = 13%

4/5/00 - Autograder Activated for Program 5

The autograder has been activated for program 5.  You have FIVE submissions allowed on this program.
 

4/5/00 - Program 1 through 4 Scores

Your scores for Programs 1 through 4, as stored in my grade book, have been posted in the Quiz Records section of the class web pages.  Please check these scores for correctness, and send me email if there is a problem.  Any scores posted as -1 are actually recorded as 0 in my grade sheet.

4/3/00 - Quiz Deadlines Modified

The quiz due dates for the remainder of the semester are as follows:

Quiz   Date
 8       April 4
 9       April 14
10      April 21
11      April 28
12      May 3rd

Note that this will remove the test/quiz double-up on Monday the 10th.
 

4/3/00 - Additional Submissions for Program 5 DESIGN DOCUMENT

You will have THREE submissions allowed for the design document.  Your LAST submission will be graded.

3/30/00 - Autograder Activated for Program 5 DESIGN DOCUMENT

The autograder has been activated for the design document for program 5.  You have ONE submission allowed on this design document.  NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  The due date for the design document is Friday, April 7th, 11:59 pm.

3/29/00 - EXAM 2 DATE CHANGED TO MONDAY, APRIL 10th

Exam 2 is being postponed until Monday, April 10th.  The exam covers the material in the notes and textbook through arrays, focussing  on the material covered since the last exam (iteration, functions, arrays).  See the schedule for the exact sections of the text and notes that are covered.  We will review for the exam on Friday, April 7th in class.

3/24/00 - Assignment 5 Specification Available

The specification and example files for programming assignment 5 are now available on the web site.  Note that for this assignment, you must turn in your design document using the autograder one week before you turn in the program itself.  When the Curator is set up to accept the design document and the program, notification will be posted on the announcements page and to the listserv.

3/24/00 - Quiz 7 Due Date

The due date for Quiz 7 has been extended to Tuesday, March 28, 11:55 p.m.

3/16/00 - Autograder Activated for Program 4

The autograder has been activated for program 4.  You have FOUR submissions allowed on this program.

3/6/00 - Assignment 4 Specification Available

The specification and one set of example files for programming assignment 4 are now available on the web site.  Be sure to print out  the spec and study it before class Wednesday (3/8/00), as we will be going over some aspects of the assignment during class on Wednesday.  The autograder has not been activated yet for program 4.

3/5/00 - Quizes 5 and 6 Due Date Changes

Quiz 5 due date has moved to Friday, March 10, 11:55 p.m.

Quiz 6 due date has moved to Wednesday, March 22, 11:55 p.m.

2/28/00 - Test 1 File and Key

Test 1 Form A
Test 1 Form A Key

2/24/00 - Test 1 Scores Released

The grades for Test 1 have been posted on the WebCT on-line quiz site. To access your Test 1 grade log on to the quiz system and click on the Grades record button.  The class average on the test was a 73. A histogram distribution of the scores is shown below.

The weights for the tests, programs and quizzes are given below:

Test 1 = 8%, Test 2 = 12%, Final = 25%
Quizzes = 5% (10 quizzes @ 0.5% each
P1 = 2%, P2 = 4%, P3 = 8%, P4 = 10%, P5 = 13%, P6 = 13%
A student's two lowest quiz grades will be dropped, leaving 10 quiz scores. Note that for some of the remaining programs a small number of the points will be allocated to the Software Engineering/Documentation grade that will result from the evaluation by the GTAs. These will be announced after an assignment's due date. A curve may be applied to overall final course grades at the end of the term.
 

2/23/00 - Autograder Activated for Program 3

The autograder has been activated for program 3.  You have FOUR submissions allowed on this program.
 

2/23/00 - Test 1 Scores

Test 1 scores will be posted online by tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, Feb 24th).  You will be able to find your score by logging in to the quiz system, and looking at your grades record there.  I will post to the listserv and the announcements page once the scores are posted.

2/23/00 - Modified Assignment 3 Specification

Later today, a modified assignment 3 spec will be online.  You will know if it is the modified file, because there will be a section in blue, titled "Notes on gas bill computation".  Please read this addition carefully, and use the given lines of code in your program.

2/22/00 - Correction to Sample Output Files for Assignment 3

The assignment page output samples for sample inputs 2 and 3 have been corrected.  Make sure to compare your output to these corrected output files!

2/18/00 - Program Assignment 3 Available

The specification and example files for programming assignment 3 are now available on the web site.  The autograder has not been activated yet for program 3.

2/17/00 - Test 1 on Wednesday, February 23

The first lecture test for the 1343 and 1345 sections of CS1044 will take place on next Wednesday, Feb. 23, during the regularly scheduled class meeting.  Test 1 covers chapters 1 - 5 of the class notes.  The format of the test will be approximately 40 multiple choice questions.  Students should bring No. 2 pencils to complete the opscan sheet for the test.  The test is closed book, closed notes.  No calculators or other electronic devices may be used during the test.  Students will not be allowed to use any blank paper to take the test.

Time will be provided during your regularly scheduled lecture period on Monday, 2/21, for students wishing to ask questions regarding the Fall '98 and '99 Test 1 koofers which are available on the course web site.  You may also take questions on these koofers to anyone's office hours.
 

2/17/00 - Quizzes 3 and 4

We have covered all the material for quizzes 3 and 4 (more on input, boolean expressions).  Since this material is covered on the test, you would be wise to do both quizzes before next Wednesday.
 

2/17/00 - Auxiliary Notes for Chapters 4 and 5

The auxiliary notes for Chapter 5 have been put on the web site in a different format, which should be accessible by all browsers.  The auxiliary notes for Chapter 4 will be put up in this format sometime later today.

2/11/00 - Autograder Activated for Program 2

The autograder has been activated for program 2.  You have THREE submissions allowed on this program.
 

2/07/00 - Program 2 Available

The  second programming assignment specification is available on the assignments page.
The automatic-grader is NOT currently accepting submissions for assignment #2.

2/07/00 - Quiz 2

The material for Quiz 2 has been completed in both classes.  Quiz 2 is due Monday, February 14th, 11:55 p.m.

02/04/00 - Quiz 1

Both sections have now covered all material that is contained in Quiz 1.  Quiz 1 is due Monday, February 7th, 11:55 p.m.


 

02/01/2000 - Submitting Programs

You should try to log in to the auto grader program submission system (EAGS curator) to make sure your account has access. DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR PROGRAM UNTIL YOU ARE SURE IT WORKS but you will want to at least try logging in several days before the due date in case there is a problem with your account.

1/30/2000

The auxiliary notes from Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 are now available through the link Auxiliary Notes on the menu from the web site. The agility notes for Chapter 1 include the solution we worked out in class.

1/30/2000 -- Agreement form status

The list of people who are not recorded as having turned in their agreement form is posted here. Please check the list even if you are sure you turned yours in, as some may have been accidentally omitted. If your name is on the list, simply print out a new copy of the agreement form, sign it, and bring it to class on Monday.

Also shown is a list of people for each class who have turned in an agreement form but are not on my official roster. If you are on that list, please contact me so we can get your registration corrected.

01/24/2000 - Automatic Submission System Activated for Program 1 - Due Midnight, Friday Feb. 4th

The EAGS Curator system has been activated for Program 1.  You have 3 submissions available for this assignment.  Early submission will be given bonus points of 1 point per day early, up to a maximum of 5 points.  To access the system, use the Submissions link in the menu for the course web pages.

Submission may be made until midnight, Friday Feb. 11th, with a 10 point penalty per day late.  Days are measured starting from midnight Feb. 4th.  That is, 12:01 am Feb. 5th is a one day late penalty.

01/24/2000 - Listserv Now Available

The class listserv for CS1044 sections 1343 (8:00 am MWF) and 1345 (11:00 am MWF) is now available.  All students are currently on the listserv list. You should read the CS1044 Course Listserv Policies before posting to the listserv. The VA Tech Honor Code applies to messages posted on the listserv.  You can also refer to the syllabus for details on using the listserv.

01/21/2000 - Course Agreements - Due in class Wed., Jan 26

Course Agreement forms should be completed and returned in class by Wednesday, January 26th.
A copy of the form can be found here.

01/20/2000 - Force Adds - Final Results -- 5:00 P.M.

The force adds are completed.  Please come to the section to which you are assigned, as the 11:00 section (1345) is bursting at the seams.

01/18/2000 - Assignment #1 is available; Due Friday, Feb. 4

The first programming assignment specification is available on the assignments page.
The automatic-grader is NOT currently accepting submissions for assignment #1.

Rumor has is that local bookstores are either out of Microsoft Visual C++ or that it is in short supply. The course instructors for CS1044 are planning to contact the bookstores and ask them to restock. The software is available in a number of computing labs around campus. Students wishing to purchase their own copy may also want to investigate on-line and mail-order companies that offer academic pricing for software. The academic version of MS Visual C++ Version 6.0 Standard Edition typically costs about $50.

01/13/2000 - Mandatory Attendance Jan. 19th

All students must attend class on Wednesday, January 19th. If you are registered for this course and fail to attend on January 19th, you will be dropped from the roll.

Microsoft Visual C++

The required system for developing and executing programs for this course is Microsoft Visual C/C++. The only supported compiler for this course is Microsoft Visual C/C++ (version 5.0 or higher) compiler. A student may choose to use their existing ANSI standard compiler if they wish. However, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that their programs compile and run under the Microsoft Visual C/C++ environment. GTAs will only be supporting the Microsoft Visual C/C++ compiler. This means that students who choose to use other compilers cannot expect the GTAs to help them with specific compiler problems, (e.g, interface questions, compiler messages, warnings or errors). Instructors in other courses may specify in the syllabus a required or optional compiler for the course, just as they now specify a required or optional compiler. Students may purchase the compiler at the bookstore, just as they purchase texts at the bookstore. Instructors and GTAs will be prepared to help students that use the required compiler. Students that use another compiler do so at their own risk."

Finding MS Visual C/C++

Besides the CS Department Computing Lab (McBryde 116/118), there are other labs around campus of which cs1044 students can take advantage. If one looks at the Computing Center Lab's Web information pages, clicking on the Lab Software and Location Matrix gives a PDF file that indicates that the Ambler-Johnston, Hillcrest, Library Media Center, and Saunders labs have the MS Visual C++ software. In addition, it shows that the first two labs, (Ambler-Johnston and Hillcrest), also have the MS NT operating system.

Students may wish to purchase a copy of Microsoft Visual C++. The package is available from a variety of sources locally and on-line. Students can qualify for academic discount pricing. The academic version of MS Visual C++ Version 6.0 Standard Edition typically costs about $50.

Adobe Acrobat

Many of the documents for this course will be in the Adobe Accrobat PDF (Portable Document Format) form. A free copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from Adobe's Get Adobe Acrobat Reader page