Programming Assignment 1

Due: Week of Jan. 16 before lab

Description

In this assignment, you are to use basic System.out.print and System.out.println commands to create ASCII (text) art! Be creative!

Details

• Name the file and program AsciiArt.java.
• The top line of your ASCII art should be the title of your piece.
• After this the art is up to you! Recommendations:
  • Some characters, e.g. backslash, need to be escaped. Details here.
  • I recommend looking up an Ascii table on google if a character does not exist on the keyboard. Can also use unicode letters!
• Grade is based on complexity of the image.
  • Complexity is a combination of size and variation of white space and characters to create depth in an image.
  • Recommended size is >20x10 image
  • Check with instructor on approximate grade before turning assignment in, if you wish.
• Bonus
  • (5 points) Incorporating user input into your image. Use comments in your program describe what you should input, e.g., a word with four letters.
  • (up to 10 points) Very artistic and complex images can earn bonus!

Example

You may find an example Java program here. Note the spider web here would be a mid-low B due to low complexity.

General Instructions, Turning in assignments, and Grading

General Instructions

• Name each file and program as listed in the instructions.
• The top of each program should have a comment block where the first line is your name and following lines are a description of your program.
  
  //Name: Jory Denny
  //This program debates Batman vs Superman!
• Use proper coding style (described more in Grading below)
• Follow turn-in instructions precisely.
• Failure to complete any of these steps will result in a significant loss of points.

Turn in Instructions

Each assignment will be turned in to both Blackboard (soft copy) and in class (hard copy). Assignments are due BEFORE, let me repeat, before class starts. This does not mean five minutes after class starts.

• Soft copy (Online submission)
  • Create a compressed .zip file of all Java programs needed to compile your program and all input files (if needed) to run your program.
    • If you do not know how to create a compressed .zip file, there is this cool new website you can use to search for instructions by entering "How to create .zip Windows 10" or "How to create .zip MAC OSX" for example.
  • Submit .zip file on Blackboard by the stated due date and time.
• Hard copy (In-class submission)
  • The first page of your hard copy must be a signed coverpage.
  • Next put the programs in order as described in the description.
    • If you do not know how to print a java file, there is this cool new website you can use to search for instructions by entering "How to open and print .java file Windows 10" or "How to open and print .java file MAC OSX" for example. In combination with this, you may have to consult University of Richmond webpages to learn how to use campus printers. I recommend printing directly from sublime text editor on University computers (has printing feature enabled) and will print with syntax-highlighting (colors).
  • Staple all pages together.
  • Turn in packet before class begins.
• I reserve the right to assign a 0 to any assignment failing to comply with these instructions. Even for something as small as a missing staple.

Points

• Each assignment is graded out of 100 points (not including bonus).
• Criteria and point distribution
  • If the code is not named precisely or does not compile, -75% on a problem.
  • If the code does not generate the correct output, -50% on a problem.
  • Following instructions and algorithm used to solve, 25% on a problem. Following instructions is extremely important in computer science, train yourself to think like a computer. There are many ways to solve a problem, some may be better or worse than others.
  • Stylistic elements of written code, 25% of a problem. Style includes (but is not limited to):
    • Descriptive comments on intent and purpose of code
    • Descriptive and consistant naming conventions
    • Indenting properly (after an opening brace, tab right by 1 indent; after a closing brace, tab left by 1 indent)
    • Consistent spacing
    • Consistent bracket placement (same line or on new line)
    • Avoiding code duplication
    Programming style is important to be able to communicate your solutions to another programmer (e.g., Jory).
  Note - a compiling, correct program ≠ 100%, just like a composed paper with the minimum requirements discussed ≠ 100% for an English Writing class.
• If there are any discrepencies in grades please see the instructor during his office hours or by appointment (do not discuss with the lab assistants or graders).