CS 111: Lab 0
complete ASAP
Preliminaries
This lab consists of seven simple tasks that you should complete on your own as soon as possible -- preferably by the end of this week. The tasks are:
  1. purchase the coursepack
  2. set up your CS account
  3. activate your Windows Active Directory account
  4. send us an email
  5. install the necessary software
  6. create a simple program in DrJava
  7. submit your program using WebSubmit

If you encounter any problems while completing these tasks, feel free to email the course account:

       cs111-staff @ cs . bu . edu
In general, you should use this email address for course-related questions, because doing so forwards your email to all staff members and increases the likelihood of a quick reply.

Task 1: purchase the coursepack
A coursepack with the lecture notes for the course is available for purchase at the BU branch of Fedex Office, which is located at 115 Cummington Street (around the corner from the Campus Convenience in Warren Towers). It will cost approximately $26. Please purchase it ASAP and bring it to all lectures.

Task 2: set up your CS account
In order to use the computing resources of the computer science department, you need to set up a CS account, which is different from your regular BU account. To do so, you will need to go the CS undergraduate lab, which is located in EMA 302 (730 Commonwealth Avenue, upstairs from Radio Shack; the main entrance is by Espresso Royale). Make sure to bring your BU ID with you to the lab.

Once you get to EMA 302, you should perform the account-creation process using one of the Unix machines, which are located on the left-hand side of the lab. Directions for doing so should be available when you enter the lab; ask one of the people at the help window if you don't see an instruction sheet.

After you have completed the instructions for creating an account, show your BU ID to someone at the window. You are then free to leave the lab.

Task 3: activate your Windows Active Directory account
In addition to creating a CS account, you also need to activate your Windows Active Directory account. This does not need to be done in the lab. Simply go to http://www.bu.edu/computing/accounts/ad/cs and follow the instructions.

Task 4: send us an email
Send an e-mail to the course account (cs111-staff @ cs . bu . edu) from whatever e-mail account you read most frequently.

Please use the following subject line: Lab 0
(Include a space between "Lab" and "0", and don't include any extraneous words.)

Please include the following information:
  1. your full name
  2. the nickname or other name that you would like us to use for you
  3. which lecture you are enrolled in (A1 or B1)
  4. which lab you are enrolled in
  5. whether you would be able to switch to another lab if needed. Please list any other labs that you would be willing to attend. Here is the list:
      section A2: Mon., 11-12
      section A3: Mon., 1-2
      section A4: Mon., 3-4
      section B2: Tues., 12-1
      section B3: Tues., 2-3
      section B4: Tues., 3-4
  6. your BU username
  7. your school and major
  8. your year (frosh, soph, etc.)
  9. your hometown and the name of your secondary school
  10. a brief description of why you're taking this course
  11. a brief description of any prior programming experience

Task 5: install the necessary software
In your work for this course, you will need to have access to the following programming tools:
  • the Java development kit (JDK), which includes the compiler and JVM discussed in the lecture notes. (The full name of the JDK is the Java 2 Platform Standard Edition Development Kit.) Although most computers already have the necessary software to run Java programs, they don't typically have the necessary software to develop new Java programs, which is why you may need to install the JDK.
  • the DrJava integrated development environment (IDE), which you will use to develop your programs. (Note: You're welcome to use another IDE -- or none at all -- when developing your programs. However, you will still need to install DrJava in order to make use of its special Interactions Pane.)

The steps needed to obtain and install these tools depend on the operating system that you're using. Select the appropriate link below:

(Note: You can also use these tools on the computers in the undergraduate lab. The JDK is already installed on those machines, and Lab 1 will show you how to install and use DrJava from within your CS account. If you would like to use DrJava on the lab machines before your first lab meeting, please send us an email.)

Task 6: create a simple program in DrJava
Start up DrJava, and type the following program in its editor (the large pane in the upper right-hand corner of the window):
public class MessagePrinter {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("****************");
        System.out.println("* Go Terriers! *");
        System.out.println("****************"); 
    }
}
Once you have finished, press the Save button and save the program someplace where you will be able to find it again (e.g., on your Desktop). You should not need to enter the name of the file -- DrJava will provide it.

Next, press the Compile button to compile the program. If the compiler gives you an error message, it may mean that you have a typo in your program. Check the offending lines, fix them as needed, and recompile until you don't see any error messages.

Finally, press the Run button to run the program.

Task 7: submit your program using WebSubmit
You will be using WebSubmit to submit all of your homework assignments. To see how it works, try submitting the program that you created in the previous task.

Here are the steps:

  • Log on to WebSubmit using your Kerberos password.
  • Select lab00 from the Labs... drop-down menu and click the corresponding Go to project page button.
  • Click a Choose File button, and find and select the file that you created above (MessagePrinter.java). Then use the Upload Files button to submit it.
    Important notes:
    • Some systems display the names of .java files as if they were text files, with no extension. For example, if you don't see a file named MessagePrinter.java and you do see a file named MessagePrinter, that is most likely the file that you should submit.
    • You should not submit a file that has a ~ symbol at the end of its name, because such files contain an earlier version of your work.
  • After the file has been uploaded, a link for the file should appear near the top of the project page. Click on the link for the file to view it so that you can ensure that you submitted the correct file.
Note: WebSubmit occasionally becomes inaccessible because of problems with the University's password server. If you encounter problems, close your browser and start again, or try again later if you still have time. If you are unable to submit and it is close to the deadline, email your homework before the deadline to cs111-staff @ cs . bu . edu.