CSC 108 Introduction to Programming

Timetable

This is a tentative timetable. It will be updated frequently. Check often!
Last updated: December 04, 2008

	Date	Topics	Class Materials	Reminders
R	08-28	overview	PPT	fill out pandemic plan contact info form
	Lab 01	install Flash CS3 (Flash 9), Flash workspace, drawing tools	PPT Reading: Digital Media Primer, Section 8.5 sample completed files: x-ray, hairstyle
T	09-02	vector graphics vs. bitmap images symbol in Flash, master copy vs. instance, naming movieclip instances basic animation concepts: keyframes, frame-by-frame, tweening	PPTs: 1. vector graphics vs. bitmap images 2. symbols in Flash 3 . animation basics 4. About this week's short quiz Reading Assignments: Digital Media Primer: - vector graphics vs. bitmapped images: Sections 2.3 and 2.4 - symbols: Sections 8.5 and 8.6.2 - animation basics: Sections 8.3 -8.4
R	09-04	basic animation concepts (continued) animation: frame rate, mask, motion guide (part of the lecture will be combined with the lab)	PPT: mask, frame rate, motion guide	10-min quiz #1 on materials covered in lecture on Sept. 02 (vector graphics vs. bitmapped images, and Flash symbols)
	Lab 02	Animation Basics: onion skin, insert/remove frames/keyframes, frame-by-frame animation, shape tween, motion tween, mask	Lab02 instructions and example completed animation example completed files: 1. flying bird (a little more complicated than the other two) 2. spinning coin (the easiest among the three; do this first) 3. x-ray mask
T	09-09	overview of programming concepts and constructs (part 1)	PPTs: programming fundamentals (part 1) Reading: Digital Media Primer Chapter 9 Homework #1: Syntax Review and Code Writing Exercises ------------- - handout (you got this in class): variables, assignment statements, operators, expressions, functions (due next class) Homework #2: identify programming constructs ------------- - handout (you got this in class) - Flash file of the game corresponding to the code in the homework
R	09-11	overview of programming concepts and constructs (part 2) variables vs. string literals event handlers (part 1) where do scripts go	PPTs: 1. variables vs. string literals 2. programming fundamentals (part 2) Reading: Digital Media Primer: Chapter 9 and Chapter 11 (Sections 11.1 to 11.6)	Homeworks #1 and #2 due in class 15-min quiz #2 on materials covered in lectures: Sept. 09, similiar to HW#2 (the 2-page homeword)
	Lab 03	use of trace( ), learn to read syntax error report, locate and fix syntax errors, identify pairing curly braces and parentheses, variables vs. string literals	Lab manual (handout given in class) Flash file example used in the lab PPT
T	09-16	event handlers (parts 1 & 2) controlling movieclip instances' properties	PPTs: 1. events and event handlers (part 1) 2. event handling (part 2) 3. controlling movieclip instances 4. movieclip instance naming convention for this class
R	09-18	collision detection (built-in hitTestObject( ) and hitTestPoint( ) methods) generate random numbers work with text in Flash (the lecture will be combined with the lab)	PPTs: 1. collision detection 2. movieclip instance naming 3. Math.random( ) 4. working with text in Flash Homework #3: Syntax Review and Coding Writing Exercises ------------- parameters, if-statements, mouse and keyboard event listeners (due next class) Homework #4: Syntax Review and Coding Writing Exercise ------------- frame event listeners, movieclip instances' properties (due next class) To re-do Homework #1: download the pdf	~~10-min quiz~~ (No quiz this week)
	Lab 04	File #1: Program a Pong game: custom-define function, calling a function, mouse event handler method, frame event handler method, if/else, logical operator, hitTestObject( ), dynamic text	File #1: Pong game: - how the completed and in-progress files work - extra credits - Due: Friday 9:00pm
T	09-23	control the playhead (gotoAndPlay( ), gotoAndStop( )) Lab 04 File #2: Interactive hairstyle customization: controlling the playhead using gotoAndStop( ) and stop( )	PPT: controlling playhead Reading: Digital Media Primer Chapter 11, Section 11.7.3 File #2: hairstyle customization: - instructions & see how the completed file works - Flash file: see how the movieclips are set up - Due: Thu before class Pre-lab: start a side-scrolling platform game: - just the movieclips and set them up on stage (no coding) - see how the "?" box and stage are set up (Flash file) - Due: Thu before class (upload to Blackboard)	turn in Homework#3 and #4 in class upload the lab04b files (hairstyle) by Thu before class
R	09-25	modeling gravity the lecture will be combined with the lab	PPT: modeling gravity About Test #1: - on Oct. 7 - about 1 hour - cover materials from Sept. 09 to Sept. 30 Test #1 expectations and practice questions	~~10-min quiz~~ No quiz this week; replaced by a pre-lab
	Lab 05a	Part 1. Program a continuous scrolling platform game: keyboard event handling, mouse event handling, if/else, modeling gravity, collision detection	instructions handout given in class see how the completed Part 1 file works
T	09-30	arrays loops (part 1): while-loop and for-loop	PPTs: - arrays - while loop and for loop Reading: Digital Media Primer Chapter 11, Sections 11.10.2-11.10.3	Oct. 1: Last day to drop classes
R	10-02	loops (part 2): nested loops	PPT: loops (part 2)	~~10-min quiz~~ No quiz this week
	Lab 05b	Part 2. Program a continuous scrolling platform game: prevent the character from going up from mid-air on mouse up, continuous scrolling, and making the items reappear	instructions (handout given in class) see how the completed file work explanation of the code for recycling the coin explanation of the code for continuous scrolling
T	10-07	TEST #1	About Test #1: - about 1 hour - cover materials of Sept. 09 - Sept. 30 Expectations and practice questions: see the pdf posted on Sept. 25
R	10-09	in-class practice exercises of for-loop (the lecture will be combined with the lab)		~~10-min quiz~~ No quiz this week
	Lab 06a	Part 1: Program a tic-tac-toe game: use of 2-dimensional array, custom-define functions, parameter passing, return a value, nested for-loop, problem-solving	tic-tac-toe game (Part 1): - instructions - see how the completed Part 1 file works
T	10-14	swap the values of two variables sorting algorithms: selection sort, bubble sort, insertion sort more on programming concepts and constructs: switch statement more on programming concepts and constructs: scope of variables (global, local, and timeline)	PPTs: 1. swap 2. selection sort 3. bubble sort 4. insertion sort 5. switch statement 6. scope of variables Flash files: selection sort, bubble sort, insertion sort To practice for Thu quiz: run the code with different arrays and verify your prediction of the progress of the sorting process Practice exercises for scope of variables (don't need to turn in)
R	10-16	in-class practice exercise for nested loops, functions with parameters, functions that return a value		20-min quiz #3 on the 3 sorting algorithms, switch statements, and scope of variables
	Lab 06b	Part 2: Program a tic-tac-toe game: use of 2-dimensional array, custom-define functions, parameter passing, return a value, nested for-loop, problem-solving	tic-tac-toe game (Part 2): - instructions - see how the completed file and extra credit files work
T	10-21	intro to OOP, objects, classes (Parts 1 & 2)	Homework #7: Syntax Review and Code Writing Exercises ------------- OOP & giving an object a visual representation Supplementary reading for OOP conceps PPTs: - Intro to OOP Part 1 - OOP Part 2 To download any code examples, right-click on the link and choose Save Link As... Save the class file and the Flash file (that uses the class) in the same folder. OOP code example: - class file Laser.as - Flash file showing how to instantiate Laser class to create an object and call the class methods OOP code example: - class file Car.as - Flash file showing how to instantiate Car class to create an object and call the class methods
R	10-23	use addChild( ) to give an instantiated object a visual representation static attribute for class properties and methods	Reading on Linkage and addChild() if you feel you need some reading about them: Digital Media Primer, Chapter 11, Section 11.10.5 PPTs: - Give an instantiated object a visual representation - static attribute Homework #5:(finishing up in class) Syntax Review and Code Writing Exercises ------------- OOP & giving an object a visual representation Example: static property ------------------- - class file: Laser.as - Flash file: do a Test Movie, click on each of the lasers on stage and see how the remainingPower changes	20-min quiz #4 on OOP basics
	Lab 07	OOP Pong	OOP Pong - how the completed file works - PPT
T	10-28	pre-lab for lab 09 inheritance create multiple instantiated objects with a visual representation using array and for-loop	PPT: inheritance code examples: =============== Example #1: superclass: Mammal subclasses: Dog, Whale -------------------- - class files Mammal.as, Dog.as, and Whale.as - Flash file showing how to instantiate Dog and Whale classes to create objects, and call the class methods defined in the corresponding subclasses and the superclass Example #2: superclass: Laser subclass: RechargeableLaser ------------------- - class files Laser.as and RechargeableLaser.as - Flash file showing how to instantiate RechargeableLaser class to create an object and call the class methods defined in Laser and RechargeableLaser classes PPT: create multiple instantiated objects with a visual representation using array and for-loop Homework #8: Syntax Review and Code Writing Exercises ------------- inheritance & creating multiple object and giving them a visual representation using array and for-loop	Homework #7 (OOP basics) due
R	10-30	event listener code that allow simultaneous multiple key presses 3d linear perspective basics for Lab08	PPTs: - simultaneous multiple key presses - basic ideas and math for depicting linear perspective	quiz #5: 20-min quiz on inheritance and multiple objects with visual rep. using array and for-loop Homework #8 (inheritance and multiple objects) due
	Lab 08	Program a 3d drive-through fly-through: keyboard event, frame event, simultaneous multiple key presses, if-statements, basic math for 3d linear perspective, generate 100 trees and invoke methods for 100 trees using for loop and array, static properties, addChild( ), modeling gravity and friction	instruction (handout given in class) see how the completed file and extra credit files work
T	11-04	lab08 followup About the final project encapsulation access specifiers: public, private, protected, internal polymorphism	PPTs--lab08 followup: 1. focal length 2. wrapping 3. trees go behind viewer interactive demo: human visual perception: psychological depth cues About the final project (see Final Project Description) HW: write up a brief description of your final project idea, and upload to Blackboard 12 hours before we meet PPT: encapsulation and access specifiers	sign up a time for an individual meeting about your project (to discuss your project ideas and plan for programming it) You can also go to the above Web page any time to check the time you have signed up.
R	11-06	polymorphism (continued) problem-solving examples: toggle tiling shuffle a deck of cards: use of array and splice generate random timing	PPTs: - polymorphism - problem-solving examples: 1. toggle 2. tiling 3. shuffle a deck of card: use array and splice 4. generate random timing	~~10-min quiz~~ No quiz this week due: 1. a brief description of your final project idea (due 12 hours before our meeting time) 2. sign up an individual meeting time
	Lab 09	Write 4 short programs: Program #1: toggle Program #2: shuffle a list of items, such as a deck of cards Program #3: tiling objects on a grid Program #4: randomize timing using Timer object to program a tortoise and hare race	See how the completed files work sample code for the tortoise timer
T	11-11	naming conventions, commenting, coding style controlling sound playback using Actionscript startDrag( ) and stopDrag( ) controlling masks using Actionscript snapping to a grid	About Test #2: expectations and practice questions Project eval sheet (handout given in class) PPTs: 1. naming conventions, commenting, coding style 2. controlling audio playback 3. drag 4. draggable mask 5. snapping
R	11-13			~~10-min quiz~~ No quiz this week
	Lab 10	Start working on your project, based on what we have discussed in the individual meeting. Everyone must create at least one class (must be related to your project), instantiate one or more objects from the class, give the instantiated object visual representation, write class method(s) and invoke the method(s) to make the object move or change on stage.
T	11-18	TEST #2	About Test #2: - expectations and practice questions - about 1 hour - cover materials of Oct. 02 - Nov. 06	TEST #2
R	11-20	debugger	PPT: debugger	~~10-min quiz~~ No quiz this week
	Lab 11	Program #1: sound Program #2: draggable mask Program #3: snapping to a grid	See how the completed files work
T	11-25	binary notation, binary-decimal conversion, hexadecimal-decimal conversion, representation of information on computers	PPTs: 1. binary notation 2. hexadecimal notation 3. color representation	DUE: version 1 of your project due at 9:00pm
R	11-27	No class. Thanksgiving holidays
T	12-02	binary notation of fractions searching algorithms: linear search, binary search setting color using ActionScript	PPTs: 1. fractions in binary notations 2. linear search and binary search 3. setting color using ActionScript
R	12-04	filters currentFrame and totalFrames Identify programming constructs in other programming languages	PPT: filters Java Example: Pong C++ Example: Battleship	~~10-min quiz~~ No quiz this week
	Lab 12	Program #1: Adjust color using ActionScript: hairstyle again, but dye the hair this time! Program #2: Glow filter Program #3: Blur filter	How the completed files work	DUE: final version of your project due on Dec. 05 (Fri) at 9:00pm
T	12-09	Final Exam (2:00pm, Manchester 241)	About final exam