CompSci 4.1 (Fall 2004)
Java for Video Games

WARNING: Much of this is a copy of last semester's web page
-- Changes To Come

Meeting Time: MWF 4:25-5:40

Location: Social Sciences 229

Instructor:

Dietolf (Dee) Ramm
Office Hours: Wed 1:30-2:30, Thu 2:30-3:30

Acknowledgment: The video games version of this course was designed by and many of the materials were assembled by (and were often written by) Jam Jenkins. He also wrote the Java game platform that will be used in many of the assignments.
Course Description:

This course covers an introduction to the basic concepts of computer programming. The course material focuses on using Java as applied to video game development, but the concepts covered are widely applicable across programming languages and applications. These concepts include loops, selection statements, structured and object-oriented design, data structures, event-driven design, and user interface design. Designing,implementing and documenting a Java video game within a small group is a major component of the course. These projects are intended to build upon assignments completed throughout the semester, and will extend and enhance previous course work. This course is intended for non-majors and has no prerequisites.
Textbooks:
- Required: Computing Concepts with Java Essentials (3rd) by Cay Horstmann
  
  This textbook will be our primary text and assumes no prior knowledge of Java or programming. You will be expected to understand and be able to explain the sample code in the readings of this book. One of the most important skills in reading a computer science textbook is being able to understand the example code. If you find there are examples in the reading that you do not understand, you need to go back and reread parts of the chapter/book. Because programming builds upon itself (in much the same way that math does), it is typically not possible to understand the more advanced topics without first mastering the basic concepts. Be sure not to get behind in the readings, and be sure to read this textbook in more detail than the Developing Games in Java textbook.
- Optional Reference: Developing Games in Java by David Brackeen
  
  This textbook covers the concepts used in video game design and implementation. The examples assume you already have a working knowledge of Java. This book will be used throughout the course to become familiar with the package we'll be using to contruct video games. When reading this book, focus more on the concepts than the details of the code. You will be expected to be familiar enough with the concepts to understand and be able to modify the video game package provided to you. Don't read this text in as much detail as you read the Big Java textbook - read for understanding the big picture.
Course Calendar
Soc/Sci 229 Reservation Schedule
Web Resources

Java

Java 1.4.2 API - documentation you should have open any time you are programming
The Java Tutorial - Sun's tutorials
Tutorials & Short Courses - Sun's tutorials
Common Java errors - Appendix F: Common Syntax Error Messages from Java Methods
Java: An eventful approach - a free online textbook
Java Coding Conventions - how to capitalize, do line breaks, indentation, etc.

Video Games

Gamasutra - tons of gaming resources not limitted to Java

Java on the Brain - has some fun games and source code
Java Games from the UK - lots of Java video games, some with source code
Silly Java Games from Michael Hopkins - Jam's favorite is 'Where the hell is that Cat Shit?!?!'

HTML

HTML Primer - resource for the primary language used for making webpages
The HTML Writers' Guild - resources related to html designs

Other Java Video Game Courses

Summer TIP Java Course - the pilot for this course that Jam Jenkins taught in the summer of 03, includes some notes and sample student games
Programming Computer Games -Mike Slattery's Fall 2003 course at Marquette University

Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)

Eclipse - what we use in class to edit, compile and run Java programs
Eclipse Notes - How to use Eclipse in the ICC when downloading an existing or "start-up" program
Eclipse Notes - How to use Eclipse in the ICC from Scratch (addendum for for Homework 2)
Eclipse Notes - How create a Java applet.

Bulletin Board

Access (register on first use: use your acpub login ID, but NOT your normal password)

Sample Exam Questions

Student webpages

Jam's Tips for Succes

Work hard early - this goes for the rest of your classes too. It's much easier to work hard in the beginning when the basics are covered and then slack more at the end. This works well because the topics build upon themselves. When you miss something you'll be lost until you catch up. If this happens at the end of the semester it's not so much of a big deal because you won't miss much, but if you miss something early, then you'll miss out on a large part of the course material. I'm not suggesting slacking off in this class, but if you do, please do it at the end of the semester and not at the beginning.
Spend more time coding than reading. Reading helps you understand the material, but experience is a far greater teacher. No amount of reading will enable you to understand programming without actually programming yourself. The purpose of reading is to help you understand the lecture more easily and help you get stuck less when you are coding. If you can understand the lectures and program without doing the reading, great - save yourself some time and skip the reading, but if you are having trouble with either of these, the first questions I'll ask you when you come for office hours is, "Have you done the reading and are you attending class?"
Most of the intellegence in the class is not in the front of the classroom. That's right, the instructor is not the sole source of intelligence within the class (thank goodness!). You and your classmates are quite intelligent, and that's why you are working together in many of the assignments and projects. Work together, collaborate, and take advantage of the vast intellegence available throughout the classroom. That said, you will all get individual grades (not one class grade), so also take personal responsibility for your own learning as well.
Don't fall behind without getting help. If you are not learning at a level that satisfies you, then be sure to seek out assistance. the instructor is available for office hours. In addition your teaching assistant is available by appointment.

Grading Policy

50% Homeworks
30% Tests
20% Project

Sample games made using our gaming package

CompSci 4.1 (Fall 2004) Java for Video Games

WARNING: Much of this is a copy of last semester's web page -- Changes To Come

CompSci 4.1 (Fall 2004)
Java for Video Games

WARNING: Much of this is a copy of last semester's web page
-- Changes To Come