Introduction

David S. Taylor
Course Objectives

- Fundamental programming concepts
- Programming skills
- Introduction into software engineering principles
- Foundational course for the BSCS program
- No prior knowledge of programming or computer science is required
Course Challenges

- Prerequisites?
- Junior high school reading, writing, arithmetic
- Aptitude?
- Most people can learn basic programming
- Interest?
- CS is creative and rewarding, but it can also be tedious
- Time?
- You can't expect to learn complex skills by listening to lectures
- Study habits?
- Your brain needs time to learn. Don't try to do all work the night of
the due date
- Teacher challenges?
- First time teaching this course
- First time using prepared slides
- First time using teaching technology toys
- New grading methodologies
- But, I have freedom to use excellent materials from Cay
Horstmann (such as these slides)
Your Responsibilities

- Come to every class meeting
- That includes the lab sections in Science Building 311.
- Do the assigned reading before class.
- There will be a brief quiz at the beginning of most classes
- Submit two versions of each programming assignment
- I don't want you to start working the day before the due date
- Spend two hours out of class for every scheduled hour in class
- That means 6 1/2 hours per week outside class
- Ask questions right away when you are stuck
- Use the Google group. You'll get a better grade if you ask lots of
questions.
- Answer your peers' questions. You'll get a better grade if you
do.
Homework

Due date: Tuesday, 11:59 p.m.
- Install the following on your laptop:
- Firefox
- Java and BlueJ—see step 1 and 2 in this
lab. (Don't do the other steps.)
- Read Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5 of your textbook
- Sign up for Wiley PLUS.
There will “Chapter 1 Quiz 1&rdquo on this reading, posted
this afternoon; Do it before Tuesday, 11:59 p.m.
- Make sure you can log into the wireless network
- Put your photo and a brief description of yourself on the Google
group:
Wiley PLUS

Lab

- Format of classes: Mixture of lecture and labs (with wrap-up).
- Lab only/no lecture for official Lab meetings (Monday or Wednesday)
- Bring your laptop for the next lecture, with software installed
- You will work with a buddy
- One of you fusses with the code, the other types up answers
- Switch roles each time
- Submit lab work to the Google group
Budget Crisis

- California Master Plan for Higher Education, 1960
- Three-tier system: UC, CSU, Community Colleges
- Top third of high school graduates entitled to CSU admission
- Tuition-free education with fees for dormitories, recreational
facilities, etc.
- Political changes since 1960
- Dramatically lower tax revenue collected from property tax, income
tax on wealthy individuals
- Spending priorities shifted from education to imprisonment
- Few budget options due to voter-approved mandates, unwillingness to
raise revenue
- 2009 CSU Budget
- $500M budget shortfall
- Student fees up 20%
- Faculty and staff furloughed 10%
Summary and Time For Questions

- Set up your laptop with Java and BlueJ and bring it to the next
lecture
- Do the reading for the next lecture
- Sign up for Wiley Plus and do the quiz
- Join the Google group
- Get your wireless account
- Expect a rougher semester than usual
- Need to add? Send an email with subject line
CS46A Add
Request to taylor@cs.sjsu.edu with your name, ID,
and a screen capture of the screen that you get when launching
BlueJ. Due to budget cuts and enrollment caps, adding the
course this semester will be very restricted.
- Questions?