How to Succeed in CSS342
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Read (and follow the instructions and guidelines in)
the syllabus! Your grade counts on it.
There are no excuses for not adhering to the instructions in
the syllabus.
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Get the Carrano source code and play with it. Compile it,
step through it with a debugger, use cerr statements to
output variable values while it runs, modify it, trace it by
hand. There's no substitute for working through someone else's code if
you really want to understand things and grow as a software
developer.
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It is assumed that you can already write code and get it working.
This means that you are familiar with the edit-compile-debug process.
If this does not describe you, then you might consider taking
CSS341 instead.
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The typical UW course is expected to demand approximately 2-3 hours per
week of your time, on average, outside of class for each credit hour.
This would translate into 10-15 hours/week for a 5-credit course. However,
programming-intensive courses always take significantly more time.
Plan to average more than 15 hours/week outside of class.
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Learn about Unix. Use a reference book (maybe the one suggested in
the syllabus). We will only make basic use of Unix, so you could
probably get by with just learning from sources on the web (again,
there are pointers on the course home page).
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Get a C++ reference book. One is suggested in the syllabus.
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If you need to refresh you mathematical memory, make use of the
Quantitative
Skills Center.
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When writing your specification, design, or other documents, you
must read and understand the handouts given you and then
write your documents in your own words.
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Poorly written documents (and comments) reflect poorly on your
apparent understanding of the material and the importance you
place on this course. Make use of the
Writing
Center to help you write better. Bring them your documentation
before handing it in. Strive to produce high quality work in
everything you do.
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Think before designing and coding:
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Your test plan should be your own. Don't just copy the
examples in the assignment handout.
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Your specifications should accurately reflect the assignment
requirements.
