David Dagon
Instructor
dagon@cc.gatech.edu
 

I.  What

    Georgia Tech's course catalog lists CS4812A as "CS TA Training".  While many teaching assistants will take the class, the course is generally concerned with the Java programming language.    This bit of indirection is necessary to keep enrollment low, and maintain an optimal class size.   The course presumes a working knowledge of Java.   Prerequisites include any one of the following:

• CS1502, or
• CS4802, or
• a working knowledge of Java, or
• significant experience with C AND an O-O language, OR C++.

• IO Streams in Java, with special emphasis on object serialization.
• AWT extensions, including custom-built lightweight components and JFC/Swing components
• Java graphics, including double/triple buffering, sprite animation, clipping areas, etc.
• Basic java networking, primarily with TCP Sockets.  If time allows, custom UDP classes and utilities will be covered.

Students are required to complete three programming assignments, and give one presentation on a topic of their choice.  Grading follows the following criteria:
 

Students have the option of shifting up to 10% of one program to another program or programs.  That is, you may reduce the weight given to one program by up to 10%, provided other programs are given an appropriate increase in value.  In any event, allocation must total 100% for three programs and one presentation.

To exercise this option, you MUST notify me in writing (or e-mail) BEFORE the first program falls due.  If I do not hear from students about their preference, I will presume (conclusively and for all times) that they prefer the 30/30/30 split shown above.

Additionally, students will be grading programs this quarter.  If a student does not seriously undertake this task, or gives a grade that is off by more than 3/4 a letter grade (higher or lower), the grader will suffer the consequences--usually just a one to two point deduction against their final grade.  Successful completion of a grading assignment does add to your overall grade.  (Thus, grading can only hurt you.)

III.  Programs & Presentation

P1:
  "Jinx--A Java console-based HTML graph searcher."  This assignment requires you to create a text-based menu-driven program that will read in an HTML document from an arbitrary URL or file, parse the HTML to remove tags, and identify hypertext links to other documents. The program then loads the hypertext-linked documents, repeating the process anew. Ultimately, this creates a graph structure that the user can search. Object serialization is also supported.

   Files include:

        P1Info.java -- Instructional information in a convenient Java source file

        gtPage.java -- A wrapper class for holding HTML and parsed/formatted text.
                                    Please do not modify this file.

        Test Graph -- A test graph in HTML to validate your graph search and parser.

P2:

   "Jinx Again"  -- Creating a graphical version of your text-based graph viewer.  This will involve the use of lightweights; details to follow shortly. (DSD:) Details are here. A suite of test files is available for download, or on-line viewing.

P3:
    "Using Java to Teach Java"  -- an applet or application that teaches Java and programming concepts to CS1502 students.  Potential topics include: animated sorting algorithms, graph searching, utilities that CS1502 students will find useful (e.g., debugging), applets that illustrate the functioning of applets, layout managers, event listeners, etc. etc.  Hack alter: for this assignment do whatever it takes to get it working.  Commenting is extra credit.

    To assist development, a triple-buffered, clipping area, lightweight component/lightweight container graphics engine will be handed out.  The engine will let you animate objects easily, without flicker, allowing you to concentrate on UI details, etc. etc.  Use of this engine is of course optional.

    The engine is provided in the form of a simple shuffle-board game (you may reverse engineer the game to find what is useful in the engine.

       Simple.java  -- a simple applet

        Dragster.java -- an event handler for lightweight components

       LightComponent.java -- a class for lightweight components

       LightContainer.java -- a class for lightweight containers

      MyPanel.java -- demonstrates creation of light containers, components

      OffBuffer.java -- part of the light containers work area

      test.gif -- a picture of Sox, the Whitehouse cat (currently under grand jury subpoena),
                    used by the MyPanel class

      All of the above--p3help.zip

Presentation

  Students are also required to give a brief presentation (approx. 15 minutes or more) on a topic of interest in Java.  The student should become an 'expert' on the subject, and provide a concise yet complete review of the topic.  A superior presentation would present some modest working code (nothing too fancy).  Topics must meet with the approval of the instructor.  Please examine the calendar for important dates in topic selection and presentation:

    Suggestions include:

          Delegates -- What are they, and what are they good for?
          Clipboard data transfer -- how to
          Applet security restrictions, and work-arounds
          The Java color model
          Some aspects of Swing (select a few classes)
          Lightweight containers -- how to use, and when to use
          RMI -- instructions for the impatient
          Hostile applets and denial of service attacks
          A topic related to your project for p3!!
 
 

IV.  Calendar

Books:
    http://www.EckelObjects.com
 

Lecture Slides
    Lecture 0 ("The Null Lecture")
    Lecture 1 ("Fun With Streams")
 
    Lecture 5 ("Lethal Lecture 5")
 
 
    Lecture 6 ("Teach Yourself Swing in Two Hours")   Bonus: On-line version
 
    Lecture 7 ("Double Buffering")