This course provides an introduction to object-oriented programming using the C++ language. We will focus on the basic features of the C++ language and the fundamentals of the programming process, including design, implementation, and testing. Hands-on programming is a central component of the course, embodied in weekly labs and frequent programming assignments.

Required Text: Horstmann, Computing Concepts with C++ Essentials, second edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1999.

You can find other references in the class bibliography.

Prerequisite:   CS 400 (Introduction to Computer Science) or previous programming experience.

Computing Resources and Software:

• Hardware: NT Lab running Windows NT (you may also use the Mac Lab)
• Languages: C++ (I recommend the Metrowerks CodeWarrior compiler which runs in both labs)
• Misc: Netscape, Electronic Mail, Word Processing

Topics to be covered (and tentative course schedule):

• Week 1: Simple C++ Statements; Using Objects

• Week 2: Conditional Statements; Loop Statements

• Weeks 3 and 4: Vectors; Defining Functions; Creating Classes

• Week 5: Scope; Review; Midterm Exam

• Week 6: Software Engineering; Object-oriented design

• Week 7 and 8: Inheritance; Pointers

• Week 9: Algorithms

• Week 10: Course Review

• Exam Week: Final Exam

Grades:

Grades will be based on:

Attendance and Class Participation		10%
Laboratory Assignments		25%
Programming Projects		25%
Examinations		40%

Reading assignments and discussion questions or exercises will be assigned for each class. You are expected to come to class having completed the assignment and being prepared to discuss both the ideas from the reading and your solutions to any exercises. You are encouraged to work on the discussion questions and exercises in groups; just be sure that each group member understands each answer well enough to present it to the class.

Most lab assignments will be completed during the weekly lab time, although some may be due the next day. The programming assignments will be more complex, and may take a week or longer to complete. The time required to write a program and debugging it is difficult to predict, but time-management skills are as critical in industry as they are in college. I will make programming assignments available online enough in advance that you will have some flexibility in scheduling your work, but you are responsible for budgeting your time wisely so that you will be able to complete your projects on time. Assignments that are turned in late will receive only partial credit unless you clear it with me in advance.

Assignments, announcements, class notes, and other material will be made available on the CS 420 homepage:

http://max.cs.kzoo.edu/CS420/ Students are responsible for checking this resource frequently.

Collaboration and the Honor System:

This course operates in accordance with the principles of the Kalamazoo College Honor System: responsibility for personal behavior, independent thought, respect for others, and environmental responsibility.

Labs and programming projects frequently involve collaborating with others. For most of the lab assignments and programming projects you will be permitted to work in pairs. However, you may not work with the same person on more than two of the programming projects. I will try to be clear about whether a given lab or project must be done individually or may be done in pairs, but you are responsible for consulting with me if you are in any doubt.

You should feel free to work with others on the discussion questions. As you work with others, keep in mind that the goal is not just getting a solution to the problem, but learning how to solve the problem yourself.

Exams should be entirely your own work.

Programming Guidelines:

Two documents, the CS Program Style Guide and Documentation Standards, describe the programming style and documentation standards for this course. Following these standards is an important step towards writing well-structured and reusable programs. You may use several templates that have been created to help you meet the documentation standards: a function template, a class header file template, and a class implementation file template.

The CS Program Style Guide also describes the program grading scale used in this course.

Attendance and Participation:

Regular attendance is expected of all students. Your grade will be partially based on your participation in class, so your attendance will affect your grade. Active participation means being on time, being prepared, listening to others, contributing ideas of your own, and asking questions as they come up. Furthermore, attendance is absolutely required for the weekly labs.

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Any student with a disability who needs an accommodation or other assistance in this course should make an appointment to speak with me as soon as possible.

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This page is maintained by Alyce Brady (abrady@kzoo.edu) and R.C. McDowell (mcdowell@kzoo.edu). It was last modified on .