COMP 14-002 (602), Introduction to Programming

Spring 2004                                                                Mr. Joshua Stough

Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00-12:15                     stough@cs.unc.edu
Fridays, 11:00-11:50                                                   http://www.cs.unc.edu/~stough/teaching/COMP14-S05/comp14.html
Peabody Hall 218 (map)
 

COMP 14 Blackboard page.

Course Schedule    Assignments    Final Exam: TBA
 

Overview
The major objective of this course is to teach you how to solve problems using algorithmic thinking. An algorithm is just a sequence of instructions used to solve a problem. We will express our algorithms in English, then translate them into the programming language Java. During the course, you will learn how to use loops, conditionals, functions, arrays, and classes. These are the building blocks of programs, which we will use to create increasingly complex programs. This course fulfills the Mathematics Perspective Requirement.

Is COMP 14 For You?
This course has no prerequisites, but a basic background in math, especially algebra, is needed. Basic computer skills (using a web browser, writing email, using word processing applications, downloading and installing software) are assumed for COMP 14. If you are not comfortable using a computer, consider taking COMP 4 ("Power Tools for the Mind") before taking COMP 14.

If you have previous programming experience, such as in a high school course, (especially, a Computer Science AP course) consider taking COMP 114 ("Foundation of Programming") instead.  If you are interested in taking COMP 114 without taking COMP 14, please see Mr. Stough first.

Time Commitment
During the course of COMP 14, you will write several full Java programs. This can be a time-consuming process. Expect to spend 10-12 hours on each programming assignment (depending, of course, on the specific assignment). If you do not have this kind of time available to work on COMP 14, you may want to wait and take it in a later semester.

Textbook

Required: Java Programming: From Problem Analysis to Program Design (companion website)
D. Malik, P. Nair
ISBN: 0-619-06497-8

Lightly Recommended: Java Programming: Lab Manual
Judy Scholl
ISBN: 0-619-15982-0

Registering for COMP 14
Each student is required to enroll in the 3 credit-hour lecture (COMP 14-002) and in the 0 credit-hour recitation section (COMP 14-602).

If the course is full and you want to take this class, please use the "waitlist" registration option (see the Registrar's Registration web page) and come to class on the first day. There are typically a lot of drop/adds at the start and so hopefully you will make it in.