Introduction to Computing (810:051) Fall 2009 Professor John McCormick

Announcements and Assignment Updates

• Quiz #9 hint.  This quiz includes a question for which you need to write a data validation loop similar to the one in the Pasta program that you worked on in InLab #10

• You probably noticed the due date error in PostLab #10.  It is due on Friday November 13^th (not Friday the 16^th).

• My solution to PostLab #7 is available in the solutions directory (below).

Suggestions for doing well in this course

• Do all assigned readings on time

−   Read the sample programs.  You cannot write good programs unless you have read good programs. 

• Answer all assigned questions on time.  Write the answers in your notebook.

• Organize and participate in a study group of 2 - 3 students to discuss the assigned questions

• If something is not perfectly clear, ask me

−   Feel free to call me or e-mail me your questions.

−   If you don't know what to ask, come talk to me.  See me during office hours, in lab, or make an appointment.

• Start weekly programming (PostLab) assignments early

−   Read the assignment the day your receive it.

−   Contact me with any questions you may have on the assignment.  It is better to ask early than to lose credit later when I grade your work.

−   Recognize when you are stuck and work on something else until you can see me.  Don't spin your wheels.

Reading and Question Assignments

Useful Links

• Publishers web site for the textbook

• Graduate Assistant Lab Hours

• Online Books
  • Wiki Book : Ada Programming
  • Ada Essentials: Overview, Examples and Glossary
  • Ada Distilled
  • Ada 95: The Craft of Object-Oriented Programming
• Solutions to selected Post Labs
• Listing of recent commercial projects using Ada
• Ada 2005 Reference Manual (ARM) at the Ada Information Clearinghouse
• Ada Rationale  The Rationale explains why language features were designed the way they are.
• Syllabus
• Letter Grade Assignments
• Wright Hall Lab Hours
• GNAT Ada Compiler - download your own copy of the free GPL 2009 edition for Windows or Linux.   Select your operating system (nearly all Windows users should select x86-windows).  Download two files: the README and GNAT-GPL-2009-(rest of the file name depends on whether you selected Linux or Windows).  The second file is the self-extracting set up for the compiler and an integrated development environment called GPS.  We will not be using GPS in this course. 
• AdaGIDE - download your own copy (install GNAT before AdaGIDE).  Here is a listing of the AdaGIDE settings used in the Wright Hall labs. 

Department of Computer Science
University of Northern Iowa