CSC152 2006S, Class 56! Course Wrapup and Evaluations

Admin:
* Last-minute EC
  * EC Con Brio, 7 pm, Younker Lounge
  * EC M&8 - 10 or 10:30 in Harris
  * EC Dance Show 8 pm in Harris
* Rant about end-of-course evalutions linked from today's page

Overview:
* The subject matter of the course.
* Evaluations.
* Final statements.

Almost all the lines on the EOC say
* XXX helped me learn the subject matter of this course

Subject matters of this course (in categories)

* Programming in Java
  * Control structures: Loops, Methods, Conditionals
  * Exceptions
  * Parameterized Types
  * Java Sucks ; Precision is key to successful programming
  * Eclipse
  * Packages
  * Classes, Constructors
  * Inheritance
  * Write Javadoc
  * Static vs. class methods and variables
  * ...

* Object-Oriented Design
  * Polymorphism: One method can be applied to multiple kinds of values
  * Inheritance: Classes can be defined in terms of others
  * Encapsulation: Hide the details from others

* Algorithms
  * Particular algorithms: 
    * Heap sort
    * Quicksort
    * Efficient way of exponentiation
    * Shortest path in graphs
    * Binary search
    * Approximate string matching
    * Minimizing change
    * ...
  * Asymptotic Analysis
  * Techniques for improving running time
    * Dynamic programming
  * Design principles
    * Divide-and-conquer
    * See the first line of "Techniques for improving running time"
    * Rely on probability

* ADTs and Data Structures
  * PAMI
    * Philosophy
    * Applications
    * Methods
    * Implementation
  * ADTs
    * Priority Queue
    * Stacks
    * Dictionaries
    * Graphs
    * Lists
    * Vectors and Arrays
    * ...
  * DSs
    * Heap as implementation of Priority Queues
    * Hash tables as implementation of dictionaries
    * BSTrees
  * DS Design Principle
    * Rely on probability
    * Link nodes together
    * Use a Vector
* General Programming or CS Issues
  * It is difficult to predict code length
  * Strive for clarity rather than conciseness
  * Using the console on Linux computers (command-line stuff)
  * Care more about the position of an error message than the particular words (but some error messages are helpful)
  * Minor details count

* General Thinking Skills (and Other Important Lessons)
  * You need to be able to think and speak on your feet
  * Computers are sentient and malicious
  * It's okay to say "I don't know" when asked a question
  * Some of your professors care that other things happen in your life
  * Ask for help; You may not get it, but ask anyway
  * Certain combo books are SO DAMN WRONG YOU DESERVE A REFUND
  * Certain professors will NEVER LEARN TO PRONOUNCE YOUR NAME
  * Information can be found online
  * Pay attention!  This means you Ian and Eryn
  * Push yourself
  * Have fun!
  * Care about your colleagues 

  THANK YOU, YOUR RESPONSE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED