Class 1   W 1/9   Comp 110


Today - Course Introduction
   What will we do?
   What is expected of me?
   What is the meaning of life?

Wed - write your 1st program

Fri - optional lab.  Finish program 1.


Assignments
   Read ch 1
   Install the Java and Eclipse on your laptop.
   Program 1 assigned


Is this the right programming course for me?

Introductory programming is taught in 2 different courses each of
which has 2 different versions.  Both courses, all versions, 
satisfy the prerequisites for enroll in more advanced
computer programming courses (e.g. Comp 401).


Comp 110 "General" programming
   Java version - best preparation for taking another programming
     course.
   Javascript version - best preparation for doing web page
     development.

Comp 116 Scientific programming
   Python - practical and good preparation for learning more
     programming on your own or taking additional programming
     courses.
   Matlab - most practical but very specialized.  Weaker
     preparation for additional programming.

Programming languages
   Java - General purpose.  Best for writing larger programs.
   Javascript - No relationship to Java! Very specialized.
     Runs in your web browser and adds advanced behavior to
     web pages.
   Python - General purpose but a scripting language.  Much
     easier to write small programs (compared to Java), but
     much less appropriate for larger ones.
   Matlab - Very different from the other 3 languages. Very
     powerful but highly specialized. Excellent for solving
     equations, graphing data, etc. since much less programming
     is required.  

Overview
   The first week of classes is for "getting started".  You
     will learn the general background of computers, software,
     and Java.