Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 17:23:02 GMT Server: NCSA/1.5 Content-type: text/html Last-modified: Mon, 28 Oct 1996 18:43:24 GMT Content-length: 4993 Getting Started

CS 110: Introduction to Computer Programming (C++)

Lecture 14 (room: B1 1402 University)

Instructor:    Russell Manning
Email:         rmanning@cs.wisc.edu
Office:        Room 1349, Computer Science

Welcome to CS110!

Except for this handout, all class documentation and assignments will only be available ``online.'' This means you will only be able to get the assignments and handouts by computer. The first assignment is already ``online'' and it's due a week from today (i.e. November 4) so you must learn how to access the online information soon.

All programming assignments will be done on the computers in the ``Vectra Lab.'' You will also turn-in your assignments through the computers in the Vectra Lab. So in addition to learning how to access online class info, you must also set up an account in the Vectra Lab very soon.

Accessing course information online....

The online information (assignments, handouts, syllabus, corrections, etc.) should be accessed via the "World Wide Web" using a web browser like Netscape or Mosaic. If you've used the libraries here at UW Madison, then you've used Netscape for access to their electronic card catalogs. In fact, you can use the library terminals to retrieve online information for this course. You can also use Netscape at the various DoIT computer centers around campus, and of course from the computers in the Vectra Lab.

Hopefully you already know how to use a web browser--if not, you can see me or ask a consultant in the Vectra Lab (consultants are graduate students who get paid to sit in the Vectra Lab and answer your questions, so use them!). The important part is to "point" your web browser at the following address:

 http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~rmanning/cs110.html 

Opening an account in the Vectra Lab...

You will program and turn-in all your assignments in the Vectra Lab, so it's important to establish an account there as soon as possible. Your first assignment is due September 11th and, although you won't have to write an original program, you will need to work on the Vectra machines. The Vectra Lab is room 1350 of the Computer Science building (1210 W. Dayton Street). If you enter the building from Dayton Street, keeping going straight ahead until you pass some elevators and come to a water fountain. Turn left and you'll see the Vectra Lab. The lab is open from 7:00 am to 1:00 am, 7 days a week, so you shouldn't have much trouble getting access to the machines.

When you get to the lab, find a vacant seat and ``activate'' your CS110 account. There are instructions for this posted on the walls, but it really isn't too hard: at the ``WILEY login:'' prompt simply type ``newuser'' and press the ENTER key. When prompted for a password, press ENTER again. Now follow the instructions, entering information such as your student id number (be sure not to type in the dashes in your id number!). Check the information and read the policies for your account. Finally, you will be prompted to choose a password. You will need this password to login to the system in the future, so PLEASE choose one that you can remember! It is not generally a good idea to write your password down in case you forget it -- but if necessary, write it down in a safe place. You will probably want to write down your login name in any case (e.g., my login name is ``rmanning''). When you login next time, you will use your assigned login name and your newly chosen password, not ``newuser.''

Once you have logged in, the computer will (annoyingly?) ask if you plan on using any floppy disks during this session. Hit ``n'' to indicate you aren't. Now Microsoft Windows will start up; you will see lots of little pictures, or ``icons,'' all over the screen. Each icon represents a program you can run.

In this class, we will primarily use the following three programs: Borland C++ 4.5, Netscape (represented by a big N), and File Manager. (Note: Be sure to use Borland C++ 4.5, not 4.0.)

Hopefully you already know how to use Microsoft Windows--you just double-click the mouse on the picture (``icon'') of whatever program you want to run. Again, you can ask me or the consultant for help, and there's also a tutorial you can run from Netscape.

Program 0: the first assignment...

The first assignment is just designed to help you get "settled in" to the class before you start actually learning how to program. Basically, I give you a very short program to ``compile'' and ``run'' on the Vectra machines. You will turn in the program electronically and also submit a ``print out.''

To get the assignment, you must visit my CS110 homepage on the Web (using Netscape as discussed above).

Good luck, and have a great semester!