2009 March 29 / |j|d|a|v|i|s|@|c|a|r|l|e|t|o|n|.|e|d|u

Introductory Assignment

Carleton College CS 201, Spring 2009, Prof. Joshua R. Davis

This assignment is in three parts. In the first part you make sure that you can run Python on the CS lab computers. In the second part you may optionally sign up for the departmental newsletter. In the third part you fill out a detailed survey. This assignment is due tonight 11:59PM.

Testing Python

A lot of your work in this course will be done on a computer. (That's not true of all CS courses.) You are welcome to use the computers in the CS labs CMC 306 and CMC 304 or your own computer. If you use your own computer, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Sometimes our class meets in the lab to work on assignments, so you have to work on the lab computers at least occasionally.
Your assignments will be graded using the lab computers, which may be set up a little differently from your computer. It is your responsibility to make sure that your solutions work on the lab computers.
We use some non-standard Python packages such as PyOpenGL. If you want to use your own machine, then you'll have to install them.

So the first part of the assignment is to make sure you can use Python in the CS labs. Specifically, go to CMC 306 or CMC 304. Log into a machine in Mac OS X (not Windows). If you can't log in, then see Mike Tie in CMC 305 immediately. You must be registered for the course to log in.

On the lab computer, acquaint yourself with TextWrangler (a text editor) and the Terminal. They should both be in the Dock at the bottom of the screen. For example, you might type

print 'hello, world'

into the text editor, save this program to the file test.py in your home directory, and then execute it in the Terminal using

python test.py

If you have any problems, consult a lab assistant or Mike Tie.

If you wish to use Python on your own computer, this page may help.

Our programming assignments begin this Wednesday. If you need to practice with Python, get started immediately. Try Transition To Python.

The Sentinel

The Carleton Sentinel is our departmental e-mail newsletter. It offers news about job opportunities, courses you may want to take, special events, etc. If you are considering a CS major and do not already subscribe to the Sentinel, you may choose to do so here. That's the second part of the assignment. (It is not required.)

Syllabus And Survey

The third part of the assignment is to read the syllabus (i.e. course web page) and send me an e-mail with "CS 201" in the subject line and the following items in the body.

name
home town/country
probable graduation year
possible major(s)
Why are you taking this course?
Did you take CS 111 at Carleton? When? So do you know Python?
Do you know how to write a subclass (also called a derived class) in Python?
Have you studied recursion (which is when a function or method calls itself)?
How much other experience do you have with computers? For example, do you have a web site or blog? Do you play games? Do you program for fun? Do you tinker with hardware? Or do you just use the Internet and write papers? (That's fine.)
How much math have you studied?
Overall, is our civilization better or worse off for having advanced technology such as electronic computers? Please limit your response to 200 words.
Have you read the syllabus? In particular, what special task are you required to perform during the first two weeks of the course?
I'm trying to set office hours that make sense for my students. List ALL of the following slots that DO NOT conflict with your other courses. For example, your response might be "4, 5, 7, 8, 9" if you have those slots free.
1. Mon 1:50-2:50 (5A)
2. Wed 1:50-2:50
3. Fri 1:50-2:50
4. Mon 3:10-4:10 (6A)
5. Wed 3:10-4:10
6. Tue 1:50-2:50
7. Thu 11:00-12:00
8. Thu 1:00-2:00
9. Thu 2:00-3:00

Thanks!