This handout describes some general thoughts and techniques for doing programs, as well as what is required, how to submit it, how late submissions are handled, and other administrative matters.
All programs are due at 11:55PM on the due date, unless noted otherwise on the assignment. These will be graded and comments returned to you as quickly as possible; we’ll try for three class periods, but can’t guarantee it.
Please turn in the source code, the Makefile (you must include one) and any related information (such as manual pages and README files). Bundle these into a tar(1) file, and submit it. If the file is an uncompressed tar file, choose a name that ends in “.tar”. If you compress the file using gzip(1) or the z option to tar, choose a name that ends in “.tgz”. Be sure that we can recompile the program without errors by typing make’. As we will grade them using systems in the CSIF, please check that your programs run on one of the Linux systems there. You are free to use any programming language that is available on the CSIF and that the ECS 153 graders can get to (but we prefer C or C++).
Please turn in your programs electronically through Canvas.
Please do not leave programs for the last minute. The assignments are non-trivial and will require significant design time before you start programming and debugging. When we decide on the due dates, we assume you will spend significant amounts of time on design as well as coding and debugging. If you choose not to do this, you will have difficulty finishing the assignments on time.
Please take the time to design your program carefully. More programming problems arise from improper design than anything else, and the few hours you spend on design will be amply repaid by shorter coding and debugging phases. So please think the design and interfaces through, and—as always—try to find the simplest way to do the assignment (within the limits given in the assignment, of course)!
We do not mind being asked for help; indeed, we welcome it because it helps us know what students are finding difficult or confusing, and sometimes a few words about the problem in class will clarify the assignment immensely. We do mind being asked for help before you have tried to think the problem through. The classic objectionable question (this really happened) occurred on a homework assignment in which the class was given a buggy program. The assignment said the program did not work, and the assignment was to debug it and make it work. That particular class period discussed how to deal with bugs, and gave tips and techniques on how to debug programs. Within 10 minutes of the end of the class during which the assignment was given out, the instructor got this request for help: “The program doesn’t run. What do I do now?”
So, before asking for help, please be sure that you have:
When you come to us, or send us a note, asking for help, please show us whatever you have done to solve the problem, because the first question we will ask you is “What have you tried?” This isn’t because we think you’re wasting our time. It’s because understanding how you have tried to solve the problem will help us figure out exactly what your difficulty is and what we can do to help you. Remember, we will do everything we can to avoid solving the problem for you. When we give you help, our goal is to help you solve the problem yourself.
When we grade your homework, we look for simplicity, clarity, elegance, and documentation. Here’s a rough weighting of the various factors that go into the grade of each programming assignment:
| Correctness | 40% | |
| Robustness, including good coding practices | 40% | |
| Commenting and ease of reading | 10% | |
| Documentation (README, man page, etc.) | 10% |
If a program does not compile (or assemble), the most you can get is 20% of the value of the program (10% for commenting and ease of reading, and 10% for documentation). So check your programs before you submit them.
You can turn in your programs up to one class period late (unless the assignment says otherwise). If you turn it in late, we will grade it normally, and then deduct 20% as a late penalty. Requests for exceptions will be handled on a case-by-case basis; for example, medical reasons tend to get extensions. So please do feel free to ask!
If you feel that there is an error in grading, please come see me and I’ll look over it (and possibly talk with you about it). However, don’t dally; any such request must be made within one week of when the grades were made available. After that, we won’t change your grade.
| You can also obtain a PDF version of this. | Version of September 20, 2016 at 8:22PM |