Resources

Section Resources

Textbooks

The main textbook for the class is:

See also the Prentice Hall website for additional material.

In addition, the following may be useful for further reading:

These titles are on reserve in the Engineering library, Carpenter Hall.

Videonote

Prof Birman's CS2110 lectures from Fall 2010 are available at Videonote. Note, however, that content and emphasis are somewhat different from the current version of the class. Nevertheless, this can give you a good 'second opinion' on topics.

Code Style Guidelines

Here

Downloading and Setting up Eclipse+Java

In CS 2110, you'll be using an integrated development environment (IDE) called Eclipse to develop and debug your applications. You will also be using the Java 6 Standard Edition (Java SE 6) platform.

Please download Eclipse Classic here .

Please download the Java 6 JDK from here if you're on Linux or Windows. For Macs, please use software update to get the latest version of Java.

If you are using a version of Java prior to 6, such as J2SE 1.4, you must upgrade. We will be using many new features that were introduced in Java 6, such as generics, autoboxing, and typesafe enums.

To find out which version of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) you are running, open a command window (in Windows, Start > Run... and type cmd, and in Mac OS X, Applications > Utilities > Terminal) and type java -version at the command prompt:

C:\>java -version
java version "1.6.0_07"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_07-b06)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 10.0-b23, mixed mode, sharing)

This says I have version 6 installed (6 and 1.6 are synonymous).

If you are on a PC running Windows and have never installed a version of the Java Development Kit (JDK) on your machine, you probably don't have it. If you are on a Mac, you probably do. To find out, type javac -version:

C:\>javac -version
javac 1.6.0_07

If you get an error message or the version is earlier than 1.6, you must (re)install the JDK.

Compiling and Running from the Command Line

Compiling

Say your main class is MyProgram and it is contained in the source file MyProgram.java. If it is not in a package, navigate to the folder containing MyProgram.java and type javac MyProgram.java.

If it is in a package (say myPackage), the source should be in a folder called myPackage. Navigate to the folder containing myPackage and type javac myPackage/MyProgram.java.

Running

From the same folder you compiled from, type java MyProgram <program arguments> if it is not in a package, and java myPackage.MyProgram <program arguments> if it is.

Specifying a Classpath

Sometimes you may need to inform Java where to find auxiliary classes. You can do this with the -cp option to the java command. Supply a sequence of folders telling Java where to look for classes, separated by : (Mac) or ; (Windows).

Support Services

Academic Excellence Workshops

The Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW) offer an opportunity for students to gain additional experience with course concepts in a cooperative learning environment. Research has shown that cooperative and collaborative methods promote higher grades, greater persistence, and deeper comprehension. The material presented in the workshop is at or above the level of the regular course. We do not require joining the AEW program, but do encourage students to join if they are seeking an exciting and fun way to learn. The AEW carries one S/U credit based on participation and attendance. The time commitment is two hours per week in the lab. No homework will be given. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to seek extra help on course topics in a small group setting.

Your fellow undergraduate students, who are familiar with the course material, teach the sessions with material that they prepare. The course staff provides guidance and support but do not actually teach the AEW course content or any session. A representative from the AEW program will be speaking about the program and registration procedures in lecture.

One of your TAs will be designated as the AEW liaison for CS 2110. Watch the announcements to find out who.

See the AEW webpage for further information.

Brushing Up

For students with limited Java experience, we recommend the online notes from CS 1130, Transition to Object-oriented Programming as a refresher. This is a self-paced course consisting of several modules that you can go through at your leisure.

More Ways To Catch Up