What else do you need to know about this class?        CIS22B / Joe Bentley / Fall 2020

What is the goal of this course?

This is an intermediate programming course.  You are here because you have made a commitment to learning C++ beyond an introductory level.  Upon "successful" completion you will have attained marketable programming skills.  You will be of value as a programmer.  Since this course is an intermediate level class, you will get less "hand holding" than you did in the introductory course (CIS22A).  You will be expected to solve more problems on your own, you will be expected to debug your own code, and you will be expected to research functions and techniques on your own.

What happens in the class?

Two online Zoom lectures per week, an hour and 50 minutes.  Each lecture will contain new material.  The lectures will contain concepts and examples, some as web page examples, some developed "live".  There is a lab exercise assigned with each Tuesday lecture.  Assignments will sometimes be discussed in class and sometimes discussed during an optional online session.  There is an online midterm and final.  And there is time to ask questions.  If you ask questions, then, most likely, you are involved and you have some basic understanding of what is going on

Your "compiler"

In this course you will be writing a lot of code.  You will be compiling all the code you write.  It is essential that you acquire a compiler immediately.  The instructor can assist with installation.  You can use any standard, not-too-old C++ compiler.  You can work on any computer type, PC, Mac, Linux, Unix, Chrome Book, desktop, laptop.   It is good if you try out the examples presented in class.  Compiler suggestions:  Code::Blocks, NetBeans, MS Visual C++ (2015 or later), the gnu compiler, Eclipse.  Compiling on a Mac is sometimes a problem.  If you use a Mac, learn early the issues and do not repeat the errors.  Recommended compiler:  Code::Blocks on a PC.  It is easy to use and does a good job of enforcing the "standard".

Online Time

Optional online sessions will be offered during the class.  These sessions will be scheduled to optimized student needs and available times.  This time will be used to review topics covered in class, to answer questions, to discuss assignments, to work exercises and practice problems, and to explore related topics in more detail.  The online time will be held online using Zoom.  The instructor will be logged on, speaking through a webcam and sharing his desktop to answer questions and provide demonstrations. You may ask questions using your microphone or a chat box.

TA

There will be a class TA, Sharon Yang.  She will be available to answer questions by Canvas email.  She will also conduct a TA session to answer questions on Friday at 3 pm.

Programming Assignments

Lab Exercises

CodeLab

If you want an A, learn to ...

Textbook

The textbook is a good one.  The 8th edition of the textbook is acceptable for this class.  You are advised to read the chapters following the schedule listed in the syllabus.  Some class examples may be taken from the textbook.

The class web pages

There will be updates to the class web pages.  Refresh your browser if you are viewing a web page a second time.  Lecture notes and assignments may be updated at times

The Midterm and Final

These are timed and online.