CS 106A Lecture Notes

Introduction to CS 106A

• Presented by: Stanford Center for Professional Development
• Course Title: CS 106A (Introductory Programming)
• Logistics: Handouts available in the back

Course Overview

• Course Goal: Introductory programming course focusing on programming methodology
• Prior Experience: No prior programming experience required
  • Only requirement: Ability to recognize and use a computer

Familiarity Check

• Hands Up Questions:
  • Who can recognize a computer?
  • Who has used a computer for word processing?
  • Who has done web browsing?
  • Who has created a web page?
  • Who has programmed before?
  • Programming languages discussed: Java, C, C++ and Basic

Course Structure

• Course Context: Part of free course initiative at Stanford's School of Engineering
  • Classes are recorded and may be broadcasted
  • Students must use microphones for questions
• Instructor: Marin Sahami (preferred name)
• Head TA: Ben Newman
• Section Leaders: Help students with assignments
• Contact Method: Email for communication

Learning Objectives

• Programming Methodology: Focus on software engineering principles beyond just syntax of a programming language
  • Programming compared to essay writing in terms of structure and creativity
  • Learning Java as the programming language for the course

Student Success and Competition

• Philosophy: Aim for all students to succeed, no cut-off or curve grades
• Class Environment: Collaborative learning encouraged, competition only with oneself
• Different Tracks:
  • CS 106A: No prior programming required
  • CS 106X: Accelerated version for students with prior experience (AP credits or equivalent)

Class Logistics

• Website: CS 106A webpage
  • Contains assignments, handouts, announcements
• Units: 3-5 units
  • Undergrads take for 5 units, grad students can choose 3 or 5
• Sections: Required once per week, sign-up through designated website

Textbooks

• Required Textbooks:
  • "Carol the Robot Learns Java" (Course Reader)
  • "The Art and Science of Java" (Textbook)

Assignments and Grading

• Assignments: 7 programming assignments, weighted more towards later assignments
• Tool Used: Eclipse (free IDE)
• Interactive Grading: 10-15 minutes with section leader after assignment submission
• Grading Scale: Check, Check+, Check-, Check++, Check-- (plus/minus grading system)
• Late Days: 2 free late days allowed, beyond that drops grade level.

Exams

• Midterm: Out-of-class exam on October 30
• Final Exam: Scheduled for December 13

Honor Code and Collaboration

• Encouraged: Discussion, strategy sharing among students
• Prohibited: Sharing code or looking at another student's code
• Citation: Encourage to cite collaborations to avoid honor code violations

Conclusion

• Introduction to Carol the Robot: Teaching tool to introduce programming concepts
  • Simple grid environment for basic programming practices
• Next Class: Further exploration of Carol and programming concepts

Welcome to CS 106A!