CSE 143: Homework 0

Starting a new course like this one can be daunting. You'll be learning a new programming language, and (possibly) a new set of tools to interact with that language. To succeed in this course, the first thing you should do is become comfortable with all the tools you'll be using. That way, when you have to actually write big complex programs, you can spend your time thinking about the solution and not get bogged down in learning how to use unfamiliar software.

This assignment will not be graded. We won't check that you've completed it. You don't have to do it, but as my old calculus professor used to say, "It would be good for your soul". Feel free to skip sections that are obvious to you, but be sure to at least read over this entire assignment and do the parts that you're not sure about.

Summary

Step 1: The Web

The very first thing you'll want to do is become familiar with the course's web pages. These days, we use the web as the primary means of disseminating course information. You are expected to look to the web for answers before you ask the staff, and to check it regularly for updated information.

Make sure you're pretty handy with some web browser. Then go to the course's main web page. Read all the information labeled as "required reading". You are responsible for this information - you are expected to know, understand and follow all the rules and regulations for this course.

If you're new to our computing environment (which may the case if you transfered here without having taken CSE/ENGR 142), you can find some useful tips under "Notes to incoming students" on the CSE/ENGR 142 web page.

Browse around the rest of the web pages, and get a sense for where everything is. When the time comes to find information fast, you'll want to be able to get there without searching around blindly.

Step 2: The Mailing Lists

This course also makes heavy use of mailing lists. You should be at least be aware of the ones that matter to you. You should probably subscribe to those lists too, although you can optionally just check the hypermail archives. It is strongly recommended that you subscribe to cse143-announce, since it's important that you be aware of up-to-the-minute course information.

Step 3: A Simple C++ Program

Now, you're ready to learn the programming tools. We don't want to restrict what system you use to do development; you may already be proficient in some other tool. If you're inexperienced, you're best off sticking to the IPL's setup: Microsoft DevStudio on Windows 95 PCs. You'll get better support from the course staff. You'll have better access to sample executables. And code you develop for other systems may not work under this one, which could create headaches at grading time (TAs with headaches are unhappy TAs).

If you haven't used DevStudio (also known as Developer Studio or MSVC) before, there are pages of tips that can help get you started.

Once you're up and running, create a new console application and in it, a new C++ source file called "hello.cpp". Type in the following program, exactly as you see it here: 

		#include <iostream.h>

		void main( void )
		{
			cout << "Dogs everywhere!" << endl;
		}
Compile it and run it. Voilà! A working C++ program.

Step 4: A Slightly More Complicated C++ Program

Here's a straightforward programming exercise to get you warmed up and ready for the rest of the quarter.

Your 143 instructor for this quarter is a proud Canadian and feels a great deal of righteousness concerning the metric system. In fact, he finds it difficult to decode temperatures given in farentheit, often venturing out of the house inappropriately dressed.

Your task is to help your instructor cope with these mysterious US temperatures by converting them into degrees celsius. Note that the conversion is celsius = (farentheit - 32.0) * (5.0 / 9.0).

Your program should repeatedly prompt the user for a temperature in degrees farentheit, and output the corresponding temperature in degrees celsius. Here's a sample dialog with the program: 

		Please enter a temperature in degrees farentheit: 
		72
		72 F = 22.2222 C
		Please enter a temperature in degrees farentheit: 
		110
		110 F = 43.3333 C
		Please enter a temperature in degrees farentheit: 
		18.0
		18 F = -7.77778 C
In this course, your input and output should correspond as closely as possible to our specifications. Be sure to prompt the user using exactly the same text you see above.
To help you compare your program to the "correct" solution, here is a sample executable for Windows 95. Save the content of the link to a file (shift-click in netscape) and it should run as is.

A sample solution will be available here once you (yes, you) have had a chance to try writing this program yourself.

Step 5: Electronic Submission

After completing each homework, you will be asked to turn it in using your web browser. To give you a chance to practice using it, we've set up a practice web page for you to use. To see how it will work, try this:

  1. Create a file to turn in. Normally, you will be turning in the programs you write, but for now, just create any old file to practice on. Put you name and email in it, plus anything else that comes to mind (a haiku about the metric system would be nice...).
  2. Turn it in using the turnin form. Just follow the directions on the form itself.
  3. Normally, when you turn in your homework, you'll get back a reciept which you print out, staple, and turn in to your TA. For this practice assignment, you don't have to do that. Just make sure that what you get back looks like what you turned in (i.e. your haiku should still have the appropriate number of syllables).

Conclusion

I hope you've had a chance to read through this assignment, and carry out the portions that you feel are necessary for your success in this course. See you in class!

cse143-webmaster@cs.washington.edu