Compsci 4, FALL 2007 Introduction to Programming via Animation and 3D Virtual Worlds

Course Announcements

• December 4, 2007

  Thursday, DECEMBER 6, last day to turn in Java classwork. Submit via ambient by Midnight.

• November 14, 2007
  • All Alice Classworks need to be checked off by 11/30.

  • All Assignments except Assignment 7 must be turned in for grading by 11/30. If you are turning in an assignment late, you must email Sam Slee. Assignment 7 is due Nov 29 and can be turned in with late penalties up until Dec 4.

  • All Java Classwork must be submitted using Ambient/Eclipse by Dec 4.

  • You must talk with Prof. Rodger if you have difficulty in meeting any of these late deadlines.

• September 23, 2007
  • The note below about transfering files with webfiles, some people are having trouble when transfering Alice files. I recommend that you use the file transfer program instead (also mentioned below).

  • I put on the Resources page information about changing the sky and ground color.

• August 30, 2007 (note 2): CompSci 4 Quick Note about File transfering

  There is a very easy way to transfer files using a web page.

  http://webfiles.duke.edu

  After typing your Duke NetID it shows you the files you have on your Duke space. One of the folders should be public_html. In there put your CompSci

• August 30, 2007: CompSci 4 Notes

  Just some notes about class.

  1. You have homework:
     1. Assignment 1 due Friday (easy)
     2. Due at the end of next week - classwork 1 from Aug 28, classwork 2 from Aug 30 and assignment 2, all web pages.
     3. Read Chapter 1 in Alice textbook
     4. Take the reading quiz on Blackboard by Tuesday 8:30am.

  2. You need to finish classwork for homework if you do not finish it in class. On Tuesday, you will be assigned a partner and given something new to do with Alice.

  3. If you want to use your own laptop, you need to put Alice on it.

  4. How do you get help?
     1. Post a message on the class bulletin board.
     2. Come to consulting hours which will be posted sometime over the weekend. We should have help available on Sunday-Thursday evenings.

• August 29, 2007: Some notes about CompSci 4
  1. If some of you signed up for CompSci 4 because CompSci 1 is not offered this semester, I would like you to know that CompSci 1 will be offered in the spring semester by Prof. Forbes.

     What is the difference between these courses?

     CompSci 1 is an overview of computer science with a focus on the role of computing in society. There is a programming component, you learn to program in Java, but it is a much smaller part of the course. CompSci 1 is tagged as QS and STS.

     CompSci 4 is a programming course in which we program every day and you get a better understanding of programming. It's designation is QS.

     Both are introductory programming courses (assume you have have little or no experience), CompSci 4 gives you more experience with programming.

  2. The first two weeks of this course are a bit hectic and take some settling in time. It is ok if it takes you a bit longer to complete the classwork/assignments the first two weeks! For the majority of you, this is your first experience with programming, so you are not alone. After the first two weeks, we will be using Alice every week and your environment should stay the same for many weeks. At that point you need to try to stay caught up. The last 2-3 weeks we will learn Java, so you will learn one more environment at that point.

  3. I went to the bookstore yesterday and they told me the textbook has been ordered and should be in the store by Thursday, Friday at the latest.

  4. To use your own laptop, you need to put some type of file transfer program on it so you can transfer files from your laptop to your Duke web space. This software is free from OIT. If you have trouble installing it, you can post a message to the class bulletin board and try to describe the problem you are having, or you can go to the OIT help desk.

  5. You will need to put Alice on your laptop by Tuesday next week. If you have a CD from the book, install it from there, it has more sample worlds. If you buy a used book and there is no CD, you can get Alice for free from the web. I will provide any worlds you need for classwork. If you have a MAC you need to get the Mac version Alice from www.Alice.org. get Again if you have trouble, try posting to the class bulletin board.

  6. For MAC users, please read the "Resources" page. There are lots of things different for a MAC and we have tried to outline these.

  7. Reminder: Assignment 1 is due Friday! It is on the web page.

  8. Remember class attendance is required since we work in pairs everyday. I need to know in advance if you have an excused absence for not attending class.

• old announcements

Course Description:

This is a hands on course. During class we will be working in pairs on the computer to design 3-D virtual worlds. Outside of class projects will be done in pairs and singly.

LAPTOP: If you have your own laptop, bring it to class. It will be much easier to keep all your work on your own laptop. There are also class laptops you can use. We use laptops almost everyday.

CompSci 4 will introduce you to the world of computer science and you will learn how to make impressive animations for your other courses or clubs. If you want to take a second computer science course after this course, CompSci 4 will prepare you for CompSci 6.

If you have taken CompSci 1, you can take this course. If you have taken CompSci 6 or CompSci 100 then you cannot get credit for this course.

Required Background: