CSC151 2007S, Class 55: Wrapup

Admin:
* I will distribute project grades and your estimated grades after class.
* Friday's class is optional.  
  * If you need the extra time to work on other classes, 
    I'll certainly understand.  
  * I will, however, provide refreshments as an incentive to attend.
* Please let me know by the end of class on Friday whether or not 
  you plan to take the final examiniation.  
  * If you need help computing what grade you need on the final, 
     please stop by and see me.
  * 9 a.m. on Wednesday
* We'll spend a few minutes going over yesterday's extra activity.

Overview:
* The subject matter of the course.
* Evaluation forms.
* Final commentsa

/The Subject MatterS of the Course/

//The Scheme Programming Language//

* Defining functions
* Key types and the procedures that manipulate those types
  integers, reals, vectors, lists, booleans, strings, ...
* Let
* Writing programs that run w/o DrScheme
* 80% or so of everything in Scheme

//Programming Techniques//

* Recursion
* Local helpers (kernels, lets, etc.)
  * Husk and Kernel
* Techniques for debugging
  * Check your parens if you program in Scheme
  * Make it reindent and check the indentation if you program in Scheme
  * Think about types
  * Print print print
* Test test test
* Start with the base case and build up
* Write a little at a time

//Computer Science//

* Recursion
* Higher-order techniques
* Key sorting algorithms (e.g. Quicksort)
* Binary search, other sorting algorithms
* You can express everyday problems as algorithmic problems, and
  write algorithmic solutions
* There's more than one solution to a problem
* Philosophical model of open source programming
* Write preconditions and postconditions that carefully specify purpose
  * Why and how
* It's important to deveop test suites
* Three or so paradigms of computing: Object-oriented, functional,
  imperative
* Divide and conquer
* Different ways to represent data: Trees, Lists, Files, Vectors

//Beyond Computer Science//

* Working in teams
* Computers are Sentient and Malicious
  * When things go wrong, it's not your fault
* There's more than one solution to a problem
* Sometimes the best way to get unstuck on a problem is to have
  someone else look at it too
* The best way to learn is sometimes to ask questions
* It's okay to say "I don't know"
* You are more likely to learn if you do the assigned work
  * And the constructivist perspective does work
* Have fun with what you do
* Support your colleagues and realize that they are people
* There's more to life than CS

//Other//

* Graphics manipulation, manual and programmatic, with GIMP
* Using the incredibly intuitive Linux operating system
* MathLAN has the best printers on campus
* Don't say good morning to Sam, he'll just give you a snarky response
* Emily whines when Sam missssspellls words
* Patience is a virtue, particularly with sentient and malicious computers