Computer Access and Homework Instructions

Everyone who is registered in a computer science class automatically gets an account on the ACRC's Windows network. By registering in this class, you also get another account, on the Canvas online course system.

WiFi Access

WiFi Instructions for Computer Science Students at CCSF can be found at: http://fog.ccsf.edu/~cpersiko/csDept/wifi.html

Canvas online course system

In this class, we use Canvas simply to turn in your homework and see your grades. Here are details for logging in to Canvas.

ACRC account info

Your ACRC account is used only to log into PC's in the Academic Computing Resource Center (ACRC) computer lab in Batmale 301, PC-Labs 1 and 2, plus some of the PC's toward the back-left of the main concourse. These computers are specifically for CS and CNIT students, and they have special software for our classes. Other computers don't require special logins, but they are slower. You can access Firefox, SSH Client, and compilers such as Eclipse from these computers, as well as other standard software.

There are also tutors available in the ACRC. They can help you with your homework. For extra help getting started with hills and the computers in the ACRC, go to a lab orientation in the first couple weeks of the semester. Your ACRC Windows login name is the same as your CCSFmail account user name. To find this user name, Login to Web4, go to the "Student Services & Financial Aid" tab, and scroll down to the "Student CCSFmail" link near the bottom of the page. Then click on "CCSFmail info". If you need help determining your login name, ask an ACRC staff member. Your initial password for the Windows account is your birthday and first, last initials in mmmddyy.fl format, for example, if I, Craig Persiko, were born on January 3, 1980, my password would be jan0380.cp   These two initials are actually the first two characters of your login name. If this is your first login to your Windows account, or if your password has expired (approximately every 45 days), there is a reminder to change your password, and you should do so.

Make sure to log off when you are finished with the computer. To log out of Windows, go to the Start menu at the bottom-left-side of the screen and select "Log Off"

Using repl.it to compile and run your Java programs

Your homework can be done using the free web-based development environment repl.it   Follow this link to use repl.it with the classroom environment I setup for you. Do not turn your programs in with repl.it. All homework must be turned in via Canvas.

Homework submission guidelines:

When turning in a programming assignment, the entire source code listing of your program must be included, along with sample test results that show the full range of your program's behavior. You can use any Java compiler to do this. It can be done using copy and paste, or other tools. Instead of using repl.it, you can install your own Java compiler, such as those listed on my links page.

To get help or ask questions, first ask your classmates for help. You may also e-mail your questions to me at cpersiko@ccsf.edu . If you are e-mailing me your question, please include as much information as possible: send me your full program and the exact results it produces (error messages or other output).

Summary: Step-by-Step Instructions for Doing Homework

You may use any text editor and any Java compiler to write and run your program; just make sure you turn in a text file containing your source code and sample output. Here are some step-by-step instructions for doing all this using repl.it:
  1. Sit at a computer that is connected to the Internet. If personal account login is necessary, see "ACRC account info" above.
  2. Login to repl.it and modify the Java code to make your program do what it should. Then test your program thoroughly to make sure it works.
  3. Once your program works and you're ready to turn it in, it's time to save its source code and output in a text file. Start by opening a text editor such as Notepad on Windows, or TextEdit on Mac. If you're using TextEdit on the Mac, after you open a new file, go to Format > Make Plain Text in the TextEdit menu bar. That way your program will be saved in the correct format.
  4. Copy your complete Java program into the text file, and also copy its output there.
  5. Run your program again - make sure to show a variety of test-cases to demonstrate your program's behavior (by running it as many times as necessary). Copy each sample output into your text file. Save the text file.
  6. Now use your web browser to access https://ccsf.instructure.com and log in to this course in Canvas. Click on the assignment you want to turn in. Then click on the Submit Assignment button. Select the text file with your program and its output. Then click on Submit Assignment. On the right side of your screen it should now say Submission Turned In!
  7. Don't forget to log out of Canvas by clicking Account (your face) on the top left, then clicking Logout.

More Information

For more information on many of these topics, see my Links page at http://fog.ccsf.edu/~cpersiko/links.html