Weekly Assignment -- Due Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6pm

Readings:

1) Brooks, Chapter 5 (The Second System Syndrome), Chapter 8 (Calling the Shot), Chapter 9 (Ten Pounds in a Five-Pound Sack)

2) McConnell, Chapter 9, (Scheduling)

Exercises:

(1) (30 pts)According to Brooks, what is the "essence of programming?" Briefly, what does Brooks mean by this term? Also what does he mean when he says, "Show me your tables, and I won't need your flowcharts."

(2) (30 pts) Select two root causes of overly optimistic schedules, and briefly explain what you, as a group manager, would do to avoid schedule difficulty in these cases.

(3) (40 pts) For ClassDiagrammer functional requirements (1), (2), (5), (6) and (14), calculate a realistic estimate of how much time you would need to complete these items. Assume that your initial optimistic estimate is that each item will take one-half of one day to implement. Also assume that you have limited experience with to Java graphics and mouse interactions, and the Java advice you are getting from a fellow programmer is sometimes misleading (and thus causes subtle problems with strange symptoms that occasionally cause you to burn the better part of a day). Your answer should consist of a range of days.