Summer Assignment - 19 June 2015

For IA project - make sure that you have
- identified and intended user for your project
- chosen a topic for your project
- discussed the project with the intended user, at least 30 minutes
before returning to school on 19 August.
It would also be good to make a small start on the prototype,
which is due on 24 August.  You should not spend more than
3 or 4 hours on the prototype - it is just to get started.

Continue IA Project - 18 June 2015

Internal Assessment Project Notes 
We will discuss the concept of a PROTOTYPE.

Review Final Exams, Continue IA Project - 17 June 2015

Final Exam 2015

Internal Assessment Project Notes 

[HL] Case Study CGI - 16 June 2015

HL students have a Paper 3 about the following Case Study:

Case Study [HL] = CGI

Starting Internal Assessment Project - 15 June 2015

We will look through these Internal Assessment Project Notes ,
to get an overview of :
- what the Project is (with examples)
- how long it will take
- what the goals are
- what are the first steps

Homework :

Read the notes about Starting the Project - Suggested Topics (ignore dates),
and come to our next class with a suggestion of a topic and intended user
that might interest you.  Then we will briefly discuss your suggestions.

Final Exam - 9 June 2015

Final exam today at 13:00 in room 276.

Final Questions ?  -  1 June 2015

Review Systems and Basics - 29 May 2015

=== Today's Review ===

Systems Notes

Systems Test

Binary Storage Examples

[HL] - Robots - http://www.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm

== Exam Hints and Suggestions ==

(0) The HL students will probably have question about ROBOTS on the exam.

(1) Answer all questions - even if you don't "know" the answer,
     there is no penalty for taking a good guess.

(2) MISPRINTS can happen.  If there is a misprint,
      and you are unable to continue, you can raise
      your hand and ask a question.  But if at all possible,
      make a SENSIBLE ASSUMPTION and continue.
      Here are examples of possible problems:
      - a word is misspelled in the question. 
        Try to guess what it means anyway and continue.
      - a problem number is misprinted or missing
         - if problem #7 is printed twice, then write #7
            twice on your answer page and don't worry about it
         - if problem #16 is missing (jumps from #15 to #17),
            just don't write an answer for #16.  Label your answers
            exactly as the questions are labelled.
      - if Java code is written INCORRECTLY in the exam question,
         follow the instructions on the cover sheet.
      - if a page appears to be missing (maybe page 5),
         raise your hand and ask the supervisor to check
         whether your copy of the exam is defective,
         or whether the pages are simply numbered incorrectly

Sample Final Exam - 28 May 2015

=== Today's Review - Sample Exam ===

Here is a sample Final Exam from a previous year.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/275979/ibcomp/YearEnd2015/FinalExamSample2015.pdf

This year's final exam will be similar, but contain more programming questions.

More Review - Systems and Fundamentals - 26 May 2015

Here are ANSWERS for the Networks test:

    https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/275979/ibcomp/iboDocs/networks3testAnswers.html

Here are solutions for yesterday's problems:

   rev1May2015

=== Today's Review - Sample Exam ===

Here is a sample Final Exam from a previous year.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/275979/ibcomp/YearEnd2015/FinalExamSample2015.pdf

This year's final exam will be similar, but contain more programming questions.

Review Standard Algorithms - 22 May 2015

Use Pseudocode Practice Tool.

Start with numbers:
- Add Up Numbers
- Add 10% to all numbers in an array

Then searching:
- Search for a name in an array
- Count numbers in an array between MIN and MAX
- Frequency Distribution

Move on to Sorting:
- Bubble Sort
- Selection Sort

If you find the algorithm in the list,
then translate into Java and make it work correctly.
Otherwise, try writing the algorithm in Pseudocode.
If you cannot do that, then write it in Java.

REVIEW - 21 May 2015

=== SL+HL ===

At the Pseudocode Practice Tool ,
- try out one of the algorithms
- TRANSLATE the algorithm in Java (Processing)
- check that your Java translation functions the same as the Pseudocode algorithm

Start with the following algorithms:
- Ski_Trip
- Common_Factors
- Collatz_Sequence
- Elapsed_Minutes
- Date_Validation

SL students can work on this during class today.
HL students should do this as homework tonight.

=== HL ===

We will start with this program and continue,
adding the RANDOM methods written as homework.

   MagicSquare1

== Homework ==

1 - change the RandomAttempt method so it's really random,
     like we did in class

2 - change the Setup method so the FOR loop counts to 1000
     then try counting to 10000.  This should bet answer,
     but you won't see it because there are too many.
     So change it to ONLY display the array IF it actually
     passes the CHECK.

3 - Change the CHECK method so that it RETURNS true or false.

4 - Change the FOR loop to a WHILE loop that quits
     when CHECK is successful.  Now that CHECK returns
     a BOOLEAN value, you can do this.

[HL] 2D Arrays and Recursion Practice - 20 May 2015

*** HOMEWORK (before Thursday's class) ***
Write a method that randomly scatters the numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
into the cells in a 3x3 array.  There are 2 possible methods:

(1)  Randomly choose Row and Col and place 9 into nums[Row][Col]
       Do the same with 8, but before assigning 8 to that position,
        check that it is empty (contains 0) - if not, choose another random Row,Col
       Repeat for 7
       Repeat for 6
        ... down to 1

(2) Put 1,2,3   4,5,6   7,8,9  in order into the array.
       Then pick two numbers randomly, in positions  R1,C1  and  R2,C2
       SWAP these two items - if they are the same, it doesn't matter
      repeat this 1000 time, to end up with a random arrangement of the array

====================================================

Today's Discussion

We are going to write an AI (Artificial Intelligence) program
for a famous puzzle using 2D arrays and Recursive searching.

We have 3 choices (or you can invent an idea, but that's a lot harder):

The class can choose which problem to work on.
Then we will begin writing the program in small pieces:

1.  How to store the data (in an array)
2.  How to DISPLAY the data (the array)
3.  How to CHECK whether stored data is "correct"
4.  How to INPUT a guess
5.  How to automatically create a solution ATTEMPT (random)
6.  How to create ALL POSSIBLE ATTEMPTS   (exhaustive loops)
7.  How to make REPEATED ATTEMPTS in a focused
     fashion that converges to a good solution (recursive)

Networks Test - 19 May 2015

Test Postoponed 1 Day - 18 May 2015

We will have the Networks Test tomorrow, Tuesday 19 May,
so that we can discuss some larger questions before the test.

*** Test Tomorrow ***

Today we will discuss some of the questions at the end of Chap 15,
as well some of the following questions:

Continue IB Syllabus from 3.1.7 - 13 May 2015

Topic 3 - Network Basics (3.1.7)

TEST on Monday 18 May about Networks.

Discuss Chapter 15 - 11 May 2015

You don't need to bring your book to class -
you may borrow a book during class.

TEST on Monday 18 May about Networks.

More About Protocols (3.1.6) - 7-8 May 2015

Topic 3 - Network Basics (3.1.6)

Basics of Protocols   FTP Server      

HTTP Request-Response Cycle   HTTPS and SSL 

How DNS Works    Domain Names (URLs) (0:00-3:00)   

== Homework ==

Read this chapter before class on Monday 11 May:

READ - Chapter 15 in Computer Science Illuminated

[HL] Math Formulas with Recursion - 6 May 2015

Here is a web-site that INPUTS and ANALYZES mathematical formulae.

    WolframAlpha.com

We will write a much simpler program that can input
a mathematical formula and calculate it's value.
The following is just a first try, and only does + and * and X.
The EVALUATION method is RECURSIVE.

Download this program

== Homework ==

Finish the program so that it can do - and / (subtraction and division).  Then add code to do Exponents (^) by using Math.pow(a,b).

Network Protocols (3.1.6) - 5 May 2015

Topic 3 = Networks - 4 May 2015

Topic 3 - Network Basics 

Some helpful videos:

Intro to Networking

What is the Internet?

How the Internet Works

== Homework ==
Watch this video : The OSI Model

TESTING - 27 Apr 2015

[HL] More Recursion - 23 Apr 2015

3 Card Game Project - 20-30 Apr 2015

A Proper WINNER Method - 16 Apr 2015

Continue 3 Card Poker - 15 Apr 2015

3 Card Poker - 14 Apr 2015

Poker3Cards.zip

Homework

(1) Download the Poker3Cards program above
(2) Run the program and do some testing.
     Find 3 things that do not work "correctly"
     (that's okay, it's only a prototype)
(3) On the printed listing that you received in class,
      write notes about the parts of the program
      that DO work correctly - write at least 3 notes,
      writing a comment next to a Java command
(4) Bring questions to class tomorrow, for example:
     "Why does the loop in the SHUFFLE method count to 1000?"

We will continue exploring, experimenting with, and changing
this program all week.  Next week, you will start making
your own program, for a game of your choice.

[HL] Morecursion - 13 Apr 2015

Making a HAND Class - 27 Mar 2015

Most card games have multiple HANDS - several players
and each gets a set of cards dealt to them.
The OOP way to implement this is to create a HAND class.
We will start today and continue after the break.

=== Homework ==========================

We will finish a game with 3 cards. 
We can program "3 card poker" -
here is an introductory video.
There are several other YouTube videos
about 3 card poker - just search for "3 card poker".
If you can invent (or find) a better game involving
3 cards, we can program that instead.
Bring your ideas and/or wishes to class after vacation.
=======================================

Even More Automation - 26 Mar 2015

ARRAY version of the Poker Game with Lots of Automation

Homework - in the AUTO COUNTING version of the program (above),
add a method that automatically finds the SMALLEST number
in the RESULTS array.  It should also tell HOW MANY TIMES
the smallest result occured - for example:

    Smallest result = 1
    1 occured 5 times

*** 10 minute quiz tomorrow about this program ***

Pairs with a Frequency Array - 25 Mar 2015

We will start with the program from last time:

ARRAY version of the Poker Game

Today we will AUTOMATE the random result trials.

=== HOMEWORK ===

Here is the AUTOMATED POKER GAME program.

Using the automated program, do 20 trials of each of the following,
and record the results:

(1) how many times do you need to deal, over and over again,
      until you get a pair

(2) once you have a pair, how many times do you need
      to click the third card until you get 3-of-a-kind?

Better Poker Game - 23 Mar 2015

1.  Short Quiz

2.  Detecting pairs the hard way

3.  Detecting pairs the easy way - using an array

=== HOMEWORK ===

Download this ARRAY version of the Poker Game.
Run it and press the buttons until you are convinced
that it never deals or chooses duplicate cards.

Now do some experiments with 3 cards.
Keep your eyes open to make sure that DUPLICATE cards never occur.

Now change the program so that it only deals 3 cards.
Press the [Deal] button many times.  Decide whether
a hand of 3 cards is more likely to contain a pair,
or more likely to have all different rank cards.
Write an estimate of how often a pair occurs.

Now [Deal] until you have a hand with a pair and one different card.
Click the different card until you have 3-of-a-kind (all 3 cards have
the same number or face).  Do this several times.
Write down an estimate of how often you must click
the third card until it matches.

Poker Game - 19-20 Mar 2015

We will work on a Poker game for a couple days:

   Poker.html

HOMEWORK - FINISH THE checkForFlush() method.
It starts like this:

[HL] Recursion - 18 Mar 2015

We will start discussing RECURSION, using this example:
     Hanoi.jar

Yahtzee and GUI in BlueJ - 17 Mar 2015

ManyDiceRolls with GUI and Yahtzee

HOMEWORK
  Draw 2 graphs
    - one showing the number of PAIRS vs the number of dice rolled
    - second showing the number of YAHTZEES vs the number of dice rolled
 Use 1 million rolls each time (if possible)

We will look at how to add GUI controls to BlueJ programs.
It is similar to IO in Processing, but here it is called EasyApp.java.

Rolling Dice - 16 Mar 2015

Here is a better version of the Dice Rolling program:  ManyDiceRolls.zip

We will work on this program for a few days.

The following method checks for ALL dice matching (Yahtzee).

Rewrite this to use loops, like getPair(), so it works for any number of dice.

    public boolean getYahtzee()
    {                          
        if(dice[0]==dice[1]
          && dice[1] == dice[2]
          && dice[2] == dice[3]
          && dice[3] == dice[4]
          )
        { return true; }
        else
        { return false; }
    }

OOP in BlueJ - 13 Mar 2015

We will use BlueJ to further our study of Object Oriented Programming.
We will work through Chapter 5 in Java Notes .
We will start out using the PairOfDice class, with the RollTwoPairs program.

HOMEWORK 

Use the DICE ROLLING program in Chapter 5.
Change the PairOfDice CLASS so it has 3 dice.
Also include the TOTAL inside the PairOfDice CLASS.
Change the rolling program so it uses the TOTAL
that is inside the class instead of outside.

Now answer this question:
On the average, how many rolls until the 2 sets of dice have matching totals?

Exploring BlueJ + JavaNotes - 11 Mar 2015

• Use BlueJ to open one of the Chapter folders in the JavaNotes Source Code.
  (get help if you cannot figure out how to do this).
• Compile a Class (program) and Run it (run MAIN).
• Take an obvious feature and see if you can change it successfully.
• Repeat with a different program
• Repeat with a different chapter

Standard Java - not Processing - 10 Mar 2015

1.  Finish your Quiz.

2.  Install BlueJ.

3.  Download and unpack the source code for David Ecks JavaNotes.

4.  Download David Eck's JavaNotes textbook.

We will learn how to use BlueJ to open, edit and run
standard Java programs.

Finish TicTacToe 2-player Game - 9 Mar 2015

Finish your 2-player TicTacToe, working with a partner.
If you finish early, you can try to figure out
how to save a SCORE on the server.  This is basically
just another text file, containing the number of times
a player has won and how many times they have lost.
But that means you need to input the NAME of each player,
not X or O.  Still, there should be X and O displayed
on the board, but at the end of each game each
player's score file must be updated, with either
one more win or one more loss or one more draw.

QUIZ TUESDAY about saving data on a server.

Graphical TicTacToe Game - 6 Mar 2015

Here is a simple TicTacToe game, including checking for a winner.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/275979/ibcomp/TicTacToe.zip 

Working with your programming partner:

1. download the TicTacToe program
2. run the program and check that it works
3. add the rest of the CHECK(a,b,c) commands
   so ALL the possible wins are checked
4. the program allows you to cheat by playing
   on a square that is already occupied.
   Add commands that will prevent this -
   you need to do this inside the ACTIONS method.
   Make sure it does not change the player letter
   if the move is rejected.
5. add a counter that counts how many moves
   have been made.  Once the total reaches 9,
   the game should end (it's a tie game).

Once you have that working well, you need to change the game
so that the moves are made and recorded in the server.
Then the other player needs to move.  The TicTacToe program
must "pick up" the move message from the server and
record an X or O in the appropriate button.   You can plan on
doing this on Monday, as you will need a server.

You will have a 15 minute quiz on Tuesday.  It will not be a
"programming" quiz, but will ask questions about the
problems associated with using a server to exchange messages.

Simpler 2 Player Game - 5 Mar 2015

Today's practice work:
- choose a partner to work with (pair programming)

- on TWO computers, run the CHAT program
   that is in  //hamlet/labs/computertechnology/ibcs/Chat
   You need to run this inside Processing, so the location
    of the "chat2.txt" file works correctly.
   Change "chat2.txt" to a name that is only for your group

-  Check that:
    - it is possible for two players called X and O
      to add moves, alternating from one to the next
    - it does not allow the same player to play
       twice in a row, without the other player moving

-  Save a NEW COPY of CHAT that is just for your group,
    e.g. ChatMogitAbishek and ChatRishiSantiago

- Now that you have your own copy of the program
  make it simpler and easier to program by doing the following:
   - instead of saving a whole sequence of moves,
      just save the one single move that was made last
   - change the move protection code so that it just
     checks whether the FIRST 3 letters are [X] or [O]
   - change the interface to work differently:
      - there should be 3 rows of 3 buttons
      - when a button is clicked, the program checks
         whether it is allowed to move by
         loading the move from chat.txt and checking
         that the second letter is the OTHER player
         If it is okay, then write this move into thew chat.txt file,
          erasing the old text from the last move
         Then change the text on the clicked button to
          show the name of the current player (X or O)
      -  change the screen update running in void draw()
         so that it loads the single move made by the OTHER
          player and then changes the text on the corresponding button

      **  Notice that there must be OBVIOUS AGREEMENT about
      **  what text will be written into the chat.txt file, like:
      **  top-right  or   right-top   or  square#3  or ....
      **  There must be ONE SPECIFIC VERSION that is correct.
      **  Otherwise the other computer cannot make sense of the move.
      **  This means the user does not "type" the position,
      **  but rather this text is produced automatically by the button.

Next period, the teacher will show the "easy" way to check
for 3 in a row.  So you don't need to start this yet.

From Chat to Two Player Game - 4 Mar 2015

The CHAT program shows the basic techniques for sending
messages from one user to another.  This same concept
can be used to exchange moves in a 2-player game.

Consider the simple example of Tic-Tac-Toe.
A "game chat" might look like this:

There is one significant difference between this game exchange
and a chat site.  In a chat site, the same user can post several
different messages, one after another.  But in a Tic-Tac-Toe
game, the moves must alternate : X-O-X-O-X ...
So if we convert our CHAT program into a 2-player Tic-Tac-Toe game,
the program should REFUSE to post a move until after the
other player has moved.

We will start making a simple 2-player Tic-Tac-Toe game today.
Of course, a good Tic-Tac-Toe program would also show the board
(in graphics mode), as well as understanding rules like
not accepting illegal moves - e.g. placing an X in a place
where an O has already been placed.

Anyway, we will start today.

Chat Program Example - 3 Mar 2015

We will investigate the problems of
- simultaneous access
- message passing
- server based storage
by looking at a simple CHAT program. 

This is in preparation for working on a two-player network game.

This week we will work in programming pairs, practicing the
techniques of Agile Development. 

Planning Storage for the BrainGames Project - 18 Feb 2015

After the break, we will perform the second cycle of
development for the BrainGames system.
We already did a Prototype, with VERY SIMPLE games.
Perhaps the INTEGRATION (assembly) of the Prototype
system is not quite complete.

Before continuing, we need a CLEAR PLAN of how
game results will be stored and WHERE and WHEN. 
A particularly interesting problem is a TWO PLAYER GAME.
Not only do two computers need to exchange information
IN REAL TIME - they must also agree on the actual result(s)
and store them for both players - synchronized.

Discussing Bitcoins and SmartGames Security - 17 Feb 2015

How does the Bitcoin system video point out useful concepts
for our BrainGames system?

Bitcoins - 16 Feb 2015

Spend today's class learning about BITCOIN.
As you are reading and watching videos, you should
TAKE NOTES about questions that you have
or important ideas that you see/hear.

(1) Read this first page on HowStuffWorks

(2) Watch the 5 minute video on the first page (above):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LuA3xb-L8r8

(3) Watch this longer, more technical video about how BITCOIN works inside the computer:
Bitcoin Under the Hood

(4) Go back to HowStuffWorks and read pages 2,3,4, and 5 of the Bitcoin article:
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/bitcoin1.htm

Password Safety - 13 Feb 2015

We will look at PASSWORD SAFETY. 
Why do web-sites sometimes require passwords
containing numbers and CAPITAL letters?

Most Secure Password in the Universe : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAUVUUhf7U0

Password Security : http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/26218092/bbb-talks-password-saftey-after-largest-data-breach

Heatbleed Exploit : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oI_laHhGjE

== HL HOMEWORK == (next HL meeting)
1 - why was there a picture of a CAPTCHA in the new video about passwords?
2 - Star Trek video demonstrated 2 Level Security.  What was that?
3 - What does HTTPS mean and how does it work (limited details)?

Before TUESDAY, program the DECRYPTION method that matches below:

Passwords - 12 Feb 2015

Passwords are a very common form of Digital Signature -
we use a password to AUTHENTICATE access.

There are many ways to implement a password system.
The most common is to use the Password together with
an ENCRYPTION algorithm, to produce data that is unreadable
without the Password. 

?? Does making data unreadable ensure PRIVACY or SAFETY or BOTH (or NEITHER)??

It is unclear whether we actually need Passwords for the BrainGames system,
but we can create a Password system anyway. 

A very simple Password+Cipher system is called the Caesar Cipher (notes here).
This replaces every letter with a displaced letter - perhaps 3 positions
further along in the alphabet.  Then it looks like this:

     Plain Text   = HELLO

     Cipher Text = KHOOR

This system is easily cracked if we know the algorithm.
If the SHIFT number (3) is unknown, a compute can
easily try 26 different values for the SHIFT number,
until it finds the result that is readable.

A more sophisticated version is the Vigniere Cipher.
This adds a Password, and then each letter of the
plain text is shifted a different amount, according to
the Password.  It can work like this (there are other variations):

Plain text :        TOMORROW  IS  FRIDAY
 Password:         M  A  G  I  C
Alpha Positions: 12  0  6  8  2
Cipher Text :     T + 12 --> F
                       O +  0  --> O
                       M + 6   --> S
                       O + 8   --> W
                       R + 2   --> T
                       R + 12 --> D
                       O + 0  --> O
                       W + 6  --> C
                   space+ 8  --> ASCII 41 --> (
           ... etc ...

Notice that O has and R each occur multiple times,
but have various target values.  This makes decryption
considerably more difficult.  For example, the most
common letter in English is E.  So if we count all the
letters in a cipher text, we could guess that the most
common letter is the translation of E, and hence we
could quickly decrypt a Caesar Cipher.  But the trick
won't help with a Vigniere Cipher.

You can read more about Vigniere Ciphers here. 

We will write Java methods for both the Caeser Cipher
and a Vigniere Cipher. 

Last Day on Checksum Algorithms - 11 Feb 2015

Quiz Tomorrow about Checksum Algorithms

For example, here is a program containing 2 checksum algorithms.

Student Checksum Algorithms - 10 Feb 2015

We will discuss the encryption algorithms that students wrote.

First Attempt at Encryption - 5+6 Feb 2015

Here is an attempt to describe a "very clever and mysterious" encryption algorithm.

     Take whatever characters are to be saved, e.g. "A100" meaning 100 points in game A.
     Add up their ASCII codes, e.g. 65+49+48+48 = 210
     Concatenate that onto the String (with a delimiter), e.g.  "A100#210"

Now, if a "black hat" (bad person) wants to change the data,
say increase the score to 1000, they must also know the "secret"
of the encryption algorithm and must change the CHECK-SUM accordingly.
Do you know what the new CHECK-SUM should be?

This encryption algorithm is actually too simple, but it's not hard
to make it more complex.  For example:   "A100#9425" could be valid.
Do you know what the secret algorithm is that produced this CHECK-SUM?

Now we need to put a CHECK-SUM into our data file entries.

== Homework ==

(1) Type in the checkSum method that we wrote during class -
       the one that simply adds up the ASCII codes

(2) Change the method slightly so that it is a bit more difficult
        to "crack".  Then produce 6 sample codes that you can
        share with the rest of the class on Monday.  Then the
        other students will try to "crack" your algorithm.

(3) Using the sample codes that the teacher showed in class,
       try to "crack" the teacher's secret algorithm - the one
       mentioned above that produces:   A100#9425
       Here are a few more examples so you can test your guesses:
          A1#3185     A12#6435    B2#3300    A101#9490    A#0    9#0   

Data Authentication By Digital Signatures (and others) - 4 Feb 2015

Here is a brief introduction to a variety of methods for Digital Signatures.

Homework : Read these pages (the first 3 for sure, the 4th is optional)

       Definition of Digital Signature

       What is a Digital Signature? - an explanation

       How are Credit Card numbers "authenticated"?

       The Luhn Algorithm (optional reading)

In our games project, a supervisor must COLLECT all the results from various players.
It is essential to ensure that :
- the data was actually produced by the game program(s)
- results data does not get lost, changed or corrupted
- the player has not altered the result to their own benefit
- the player cannot MANUFACTURE results without playing a game
- other players have not altered opponents results to make them worse
- other players cannot DESTROY results to improve their own standing

In other words, we need a digital signature to ensure
that the data at the end is "authentic" - that is the
very purpose of a digital signature.

Prototype for Saving Game Results - 3 Feb

Here is a prototype program for saving game results:

BrainGameScoresPrototype

This is also available on \\Hamlet\labs\ComputerTechnology\ibcs
as an uncompressed folder.

We will discuss the obvious problems with this prototype,
including how to move the data to a central shared server location.

Possibilities for Central Shared Storage - 2 Feb

Google Docs (Drive) = HOMEWORK
--  can we share a folder on Google docs,
    using the SYNCHRONISATION utility (download from Google)
    then share the folder(s) and other people can see
    each other's data

Unless we can solve the problem of connecting a Windows PC
to the Hamlet server, it appears that Google Drive (or Dropbox)
is the best solution.

Where is my Data?  All About Storage - 29-30 Jan 2015

The teacher will explain how storage works in:
- LAN servers
- Web Servers
- Cloud Storage
- USB storage
- P2P networks
- Backups

Combining Classes - 27 Jan 2015

The Brain Game System will contain 7 different games,
produced independently by 7 different programmers.
The simplest way to DISTRIBUTE the software to players
is to combine all 7 games into one single program.

Separate games can be combined as follows:
- create a MAIN program - the starting point
   This must include the standard IO library
- WRAP each game into a CLASS
- add each game to the MAIN program
- add any extra files (e.g. images) into the MAIN program folder
- make sure that MAIN takes care of INSTANTIATING the
  chosen game, as well as CHAINING to the individual
   DRAW and ACTION methods

Here is a SAMPLE program with STUB game classes.

HOMEWORK - get a Dropbox account.
If you already have one, that will be fine.
Otherwise, go to www.dropbox.com and
register for a free account.  You will need
to use this account tomorrow during class.

TOMORROW - all about STORAGE

Starting teamwork - 22-26 Jan 2015

Question:  How can we more effectively work as a team?

A Look at Software Design Techniques - 21 Jan 2015

Software Design - Iteration, Top-down, Modularity

Homework :
Bring suggestions for what to do first in this project.

Brain Games Tournament - a Case Study - 20 Jan 2015

Notes about the Brain Games Tournament

Brainstorming Notes from 20 Jan

OOP Card Game - 16 Jan 2015

You have a test on Monday. 
It will be about this program:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/275979/ibcomp/processing/OOPcardsGame2b.zip

To prepare for the test, you should download this program and study it.
Run it, make changes, discuss it with a friend, etc.

You will be doing the test on paper - you will not be using a computer.

You will receive a printed copy of this program, exactly as it is.
Then you will answer questions about the program, like:
- explain what these specific commands do
- explain what would happen if this change were made
- explain how the program could be changed to do some specific task

Higher Level students will also have a few questions about
the Kings GUI game.  So the SL part of the test will last about 30 minutes,
and the HL part will take about 15 minutes.

OOP Card Game - 15 Jan 2015

Here is the card game so far: 
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/275979/ibcomp/processing/OOPcardsGame2.zip

Now we need to finish the user interface, showing PICTURES of cards.

OOP Card Game - 13-14 Jan 2015

14 Jan HOMEWORK = add all the code that the teacher presented in class, including:
- dealing 4 hands correctly (add the loop with new Hand() to create the 4 hands)
- display all 4 hands in the text window,
   using nested loops with a command like:
       println(hands[h].cards[c].value + "  " + hands[h].cards[c].suit);
- add a method that adds up the cards in each hand,
   and stores the result in the total variable in each hand,
   something like this:
      hands[0].total = hands[0].cards[0].value + hands[0].cards[1].value + hands[0].cards[2].value;
   but do all 4 hands - use loop(s) if you wish.
- change the showHands() method so that it prints all 3 cards AND the total for each hand

Do as much of this as you can, as time permits.  We will continue tomorrow.

---------------

13 Jan HOMEWORK = think about how to make the program calculate TOTALS

We will program a card game this week.
Then we will have a written test on Monday 19 Jan,
based on the card game that we wrote.

Our game will involve HANDS containing 3 cards.
We must write code to :

-  make a deck of 52 cards and shuffle the deck
-  deal 3 cards into each of 4 hands
-  display all the hands
-  calculate the value of each hand, as follows:
   Each card counts for its VALUE,
   but cards that MATCH another card don't count at all, e.g:
       3  5  7  ==> 15
       T  Q  A  ==> 36
       8  9  8  ==>  9    ( the 8's don't count because they match )
-  allow players to throw away cards and "draw" replacements
-  compare several hands (e.g. 4 players) to figure out the winner, with the largest total
-  FLEXIBLE EXTENSION -
    allow each player to take as many cards as they wish,
    keeping in mind that taking more cards increases the
    chances of having duplicate (hence worthless) cards

[HL] Graphics Kings - 12 Jan 2015

Kings in graphics mode

There will be a written test on Monday 19 Jan.
This will mostly be about OOP programming.
But for [HL] students, there will also be some questions
about the KINGS game and 2-dimensional arrays.

You can practice for this be doing the questions in the link above.

MVC and Card Game - 17 Dec 2014

We will write a short program for a card game, starting with this program:

     OOPcards.zip

Here is an improved version that displays PICTURES of cards.

     OOPcardsPics.zip

You can play around with this a little bit.
For example, make a button that chooses 2 cards -
the top 2 cards (#0 and #1) and checks whether it is a pair -
that means the RANK is the same for both cards.

More ParkTickets - 16 Dec 2014

Here is a correct solution to Friday's quiz:

Here is a solution for Friday's homework to calculate the
cost of parking when the customer leaves.

  double calculatePrice(ParkTicket info)
  {
     // change arrive hh:mm and leave hh:mm into ints h1,m1,h2,m2
     // subtract --> elapsed
     // 2.50 per hour --> round the hours up
     // 2.50 * elapsed
     //============================================================
       int h1 = Integer.parseInt(info.arrive.substring(0,2));
       int m1 = Integer.parseInt(info.arrive.substring(3,5));
       int h2 = Integer.parseInt(info.leave.substring(0,2));
       int m2 = Integer.parseInt(info.leave.substring(3,5));
       int hours = h2-h1;          // 8:30 - 10:15 --> 2 

       if(m2 >= m1)                // 8:30 - 10:40 --> 3
       {  hours = hours + 1; }

       output("Hours = " + hours);
       return 2.50*hours;
     //============================================================
     // Actually this needs to be a bit more complex
     // in case the car arrives in the evening and
     // leaves after midnight, e.g. on the next day
  }

Here is complete program Friday's homework:  ParkingGarage2

We will spend one more day on the OOP Parking Garage notes.

Make the Payment Calculation - 12 Dec 2014

Homework : Make the CALCULATEPRICE method work properly,
                    charging 2.50 per hour, rounded up to the next whole hours

Composite Data Structures = OOP - 10-11 Dec 2014

Read these notes about OOP = Object Oriented Programming

[HL] Graphics Kings - 9 Dec 2014

Kings in graphics mode

Continue Questions/Answers Game - 5 Dec 2014

Continue writing your Question/Answer program.
It is due on Tuesday.  If you are not making progress,
you need to ask questions and get help.

HOW-TO Hints for Question/Answer Game - 4 Dec 2014

Continue working on the Question/Answer Game.

Here are a few HOW-TO hints that might be useful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CENTER text in a label
  labelName.setAlignment(Label.CENTER);

DISABLE a Button
   buttonName.setEnabled(false);
   //  use (true) to re-enable the button

Background Color
   controlName.setBackground(new Color(red num, green num, blue num) );

Automatically (Constantly) Display Points

   void draw() 
   {
      score.setText(points + "");  // score is a Label, points is a variable
   }                                                 //  draw() updates the screen 60 times per second

Stop Asking Question at End of List
   count = count + 1;
   if(count >= questions.length)
   {
      // do something appropriate, like  count = 0
   }

Choose a Random Question

   int  q  =  (int)(Math.random()*questions.length);

Continue on Your Question/Answer Game - 2 Dec 2014

Continue working on your program.

Question/Answer Game - 1 Dec 2014

Watch this video about IBM's Watson.

Download the newest verion of Parallel Arrays here.

Now read these notes about writing a Question/Answer game program.

Need help with TEXT FILES?  Try watching this video.

Continue Parallel Arrays Questions - 28 Nov 2014

Here is Version 2 of the ParallelArraysQuestions.
It has fixed some of the Errors/Shortcomings of the first version:
  parallelArraysQuestions2.zip 

Combine your questions files (including hints) with this program.

[HL] Better Kings - 27 Nov 2014

We need to fix the Kings game to avoid all the ERRORS.

Here  is an attempt to check whether a square is free or not:

Bookstore Program in Parallel Arrays - 26 Nov 2014

Download the following program and do the practice exercises described in this page:

     Bookstore Program

Continue Parallel Arrays - 25 Nov 2014

Continue working on this program: Parallel Arrays.
Work together with other students if you wish.

Make any of the following improvements (or other improvements if you have your own idea).

• When each question starts (after clicking [Next]), reset the ANSWER button
  to a grey background, and put "Answer" back on the button.
• Add 2 or 3 more questions, with pictures and correct answers.
• Change the program so that, as soon as the user types a correct answer,
  it will not give extra points for typing the same answer again.
• Fix the COUNT variable so that it never goes past the end
  of the array(s).  Use an IF.. command when adding 1.
• Add another parallel array that contains "hints".  Then you need a [Hint]
  button on the screen.  For example, for the capital of Germany, the hint could be:
  "John F Kennedy had a famous quote = 'Ich bin ein Berliner'"
• Look back in previous notes and find out how to LOAD (read) data from
  a text-file into an array.  You will need 3 text-files - one for each array.
  Then make your program load this data when it starts.
  Check that it works correctly by adding a new question, answer, picture
  directly into the text files.
• Make the program end after the last question has been answered (correctly).
  Output the final score.  If the final score is "perfect" (alway 100,100...)
  output an apprpriate message, like ("GENIUS!")

Finish as much as you can.  We will work on this program for another week, so there
is no hurry - but DO practice programming.

Parallel Arrays - 24 Nov 2014

Here are solutions to the recent homework about NUMS array methods.

Today we will discuss Parallel Arrays.

Array Algorithms Practice - 17-18 Nov 2014

Do the practice exercises on this page.

-- Homework --

Finish as many of the methods (above) as you can with 60 minutes at home.

== Extra Homework ==

This is a Make-up assignment for the students who missed class
on Friday, 14 Nov. (Santiago, Robin, Christian, Jan)

Here are two web-sites with interesting stories about computer system disasters.
http://www.devtopics.com/20-famous-software-disasters/
http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks

Your assignment is to find an interesting story from one of these sites, read it completely,
and PRESENT the story to the class next week.  Don't choose a story
where most of the story is actually missing.

We will probably have one presentation per day next week. 
Your presentation should not last more than 5 minutes. 
It should include a summary of:
** THE ROLE THAT DEFECTIVE SOFTWARE PLAYED in the accident. **
Be prepared to answer questions.
You might want to use written notes, but don't make a Powerpoint presentation.

Continue Discussing AUTOMATING the Packing Program - 14 Nov 2014

Here are useful ALGORITHM for this problem, as well as other problems:

• find the largest number in the list
• sort the list into order from largest to smallest
• reverse the list (e.g. in order from smallest to largest)
• find 2 numbers that add up to exactly 50
• find 3 numbers that add up to exactly 50

We had a list of partially completed versions of these on Monday.

We need to write a good version of finding 3 numbers that add to 50.

[HL] Kings - 13 Nov 2014

Homework -
In the Kings game, add a CHECKFREE(row,col) method - like this:

 .....
  .....

         if(checkFree(row,col) )
         { board[row][col] = 'K'; }            //  into the corresponding number
         else
         { end the game - you cheated }
         showBoard();
       } while(true);
    }
  
    boolean checkFree(int r , int c)
    {
       check all the squares (9 of them)
       return true or false      
    }

....
....

Packing Test #1 - 12 Nov 2014

#1 - Write your test and turn it in.

#2 - Homework - use your computer and write a method that calculates the
        AVERAGE of all the NON-ZERO numbers in the array.
        For example, if the array contains:  0,0,0,25,15,20,0,0,0,0,0,0,
          then the average is :  60 / 3 = 20 .

Packing 12 Boxes - 10-11 Nov 2014

This copy of the Packing program now has 12 boxes.

We will continue add a bit more AI (Artificial Intelligence).

We need to write algorithms for all of the following:

• find the largest number in the list
• sort the list into order from largest to smallest
• reverse the list (e.g. in order from smallest to largest)
• find 2 numbers that add up to exactly 50
• find 3 numbers that add up to exactly 50

Knapsack Problem - Packing Boxes - 5-6 Nov 2014

Copy these notes and program about the Packing (aka Knapsack) problem.

Hints for TRACING and DEBUGGING in Processing:

• at top right, change [Java] to [PDE X]
  
• in PDE X menu, turn on [Show Debug Toolbar]
• make the window smaller (not maximized)
• in PDE X menu, turn on [Toggle Variable Inspector]
• set one breakpoint near the beginning of the program,
  as well as after each INPUT command -
  you can use the [ <> ] button
  
• start by clicking the [>] run button (top left)
• after each pause, press the [STEP] button - not the Continue button

Arrays Test and Homework - 4 Nov 2014

If you finish your ARRAYS TEST early, you can start your homework.

== Homework ==

Read notes and program about the Packing (aka Knapsack) problem.
Try running the program and packing some boxes.
Then do problem #1.

[HL] Kings Game in 2-D Array - 3 Nov 2014

How do board games work?
How can we store Tic-Tac-Toe or Mine Sweeper or KINGS in Java?

Number Arrays - 30 Oct 2014

Here is a program that has an array of numbers:
  NumberArrays.zip

Run the program and try out the buttons.
Then do the following practice exercises:

• Roll the dice and find out what the BIGGEST total is
• Make another Button the finds the SMALLEST total
• Roll the dice and find out how many times 30 occurs
• Roll the dice again and find out how many times 30 occurs
• Do this several times and estimate the PROBABILITY of rolling 30
• Roll the dice over and over until NO 30's occur
• Roll the dice one more time. 
  Make a chart for ALL the possible totals and record
  the number of times that each total occurs.
• Change the program so that it only rolls 3 dice.
• Create a Button called [Frequencies].
  This should count how many times 3 occurs and print it,
  then how many times 4 occurs and print it,
  then how many times 5 occurs, etc
  up to the maximum possible total which is 18.
  Try to make a LOOP that runs COUNTING method
  once for each of the possible totals.
• Make a Button to calculate the AVERAGE of all the totals.
• Make a Button that calculates the AVERAGE,
  and then COUNTS how many of the totals are ABOVE AVERAGE.
• Change the ROLL DICE method so that it MULTIPLIES the 3 dice
  instead of adding them.  Now there are still many different possible
  results, but they are as follows:
  1*1*1 = 1       1*2*1 = 2    ....   6*6*1 = 36
  1*1*2 = 2       1*2*2 = 4    ....   6*6*2 = 72
  1*1*3 = 3       1*2*3 = 6    ....   6*6*3 = 108
    .....                   .....                    ....
  Answer the following questions:
  - what are the largest and smallest results?
  - what is the average result?
  - how many results are ABOVE AVERAGE?
  - what is the MEDIAN result - the one in the middle of the sorted list?
  - how often does the MEDIAN result occur?
  - can you change your FREQUENCIES method to do all the
      frequencies of all the possible results now?

== ANSWERS ==

Here are answers (Java commands) for the problems above:

    numberArraysAnswers

More About Arrays - 27 Oct 2014

Explain what is "wrong" with the java.util.Arrays.sort method.

How can we find DUPLICATE words in a list?
How can we REMOVE the duplicate words?

Matching Words - Best Match - 24 Oct 2014

How can computers deal with "almost" matching words?
What is a good algorithm for choosing a word
from a list that matches a give word as closely as possible?
How does Google decide what words are a close match?
How can we find a best match in a Java program?
How long does it take to examine 50000 words in an array?

== Homework ==

Download this program Searching3.zip
Find the part where it ADDS a new word
after searching for the BEST MATCH.
Now add commands that will SORT the
newwords[] array BEFORE saving it into
the disk file.  Check afterward that it
is correctly sorted.  Don't spend more
than 30 minutes on this.  If the file is
NOT correctly sorted, try to figure out
why this doesn't work correctly.

========================

More Word Lists - 23 Oct 2014

==HOMEWORK ==

Start with this program (download and unpack).
Change the PREFIX function so that it is NOT case-sensitive.
That means is you  search for "mon", then it will
display "Monday" as well as "monster".

================================

Here is the program so far (#1-5 below)

(6) Make a new button that inputs a single letter, then COUNTS
      the number of words that start with that letter.

(7) Add a LIST box. 
     Now add a button that inputs a PREFIX - several letters -
     and then displays all the words that start with the PREFIX.
     It displays the results by putting them into the LIST box.
     It should also count and output the number of results.

     For example:

       Type a prefix : cold

       results
       ===========
          cold
          colder
          coldest
          coldly
          coldness
          colds

       Found 6 matching words.

In case you want more words,
try the lists on this site.

Lists and Arrays and Searching - 22 Oct 2014

Here is a list of English words:  wordlist.txt

(1) Make a new Processing program.

(2) Add the IO library to your program -
      make a new TAB, name it IO, and copy
      the IO library into the TAB.

(3) Copy the wordlist.txt file into the Sketch Folder.

(4) Make a button called [Search].
      When clicked the button should input a WORD.
      Then it uses loadStrings to copy the wordlist.txt file into an ARRAY.
      Finally it SEARCHES in the ARRAY looking for WORD.
      If the WORD is found, it should output "Found".

(5) Test your program with 3 words - one at the beginning
      of the list, one near the middle, and the other at the
      end of the list.  Then test with 3 NON-words -
      one BEFORE the first word in the list, one that belongs
      near the middle of the list, and one that is after the end.

//====================================

HOMEWORK - do #1-5 as homework -
we will do the rest (below) tomorrow.

//====================================

(6) Make a new button that inputs a single letter, then COUNTS
      the number of words that start with that letter.

(7) Add a LIST box. 
     Now add a button that inputs a PREFIX - several letters -
     and then displays all the words that start with the PREFIX.
     It displays the results by putting them into the LIST box.
     It should also count and output the number of results.

     For example:

       Type a prefix : cold

       results
       ===========
          cold
          colder
          coldest
          coldly
          coldness
          colds

       Found 6 matching words.

In case you want more words,
try the lists on this site.

[HL] Robots - 21 Oct 2014

Here are some useful links for the discussion:

Robots for Humanity (video)

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html 

http://www.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm

Robots for Elderly People

All about robots

We want to answer the following questions:

• What makes a robot different from a computer?
• Why/when are robots useful?
• What are some current examples of successful uses of robots?
• What would we like robots to accomplish (please don't answer "everything")?
• What near-future developments are likely to turn some of our robot wishes into reality?

Homework -
Answer each of the 5 questions above.
Write 3 or 4 sentences in each answer.
You may use a pen or you may type your answers, as you wish.
Either way, bring your answers ON PAPER with you to the next HL class.

Saving and Loading Data from Files - 20 Oct 2014

Add a BUTTON called SAVE and another called RELOAD.
Then add this code.  It will save the STUDENTS and ABSENTS lists
into text files, stored in the "sketch folder".
After taking attendance, the teacher can SAVE the results.
If they need to make further changes, they can RELOAD the files,
make changes, and the SAVE again.

Add the buttons and these commands to your attendance program.
Check that it correctly saves and reloads the data for both Lists.

Now make one more BUTTON called [START].
This uses loadStrings to retrieve all the names for one class,
and then puts these Strings into the Students list.
It should also REMOVE all the Strings that might be in the Absent List.

Attendance Program - Sorting Lists - 17 Oct 2014

We will start with problem #2 in this attendance program.

Attendance Program - 16 Oct 2014

We will make a simple Attendance Program.

Homework - make the attendance program, something like this:

   Object source = evt.target;
  
   int chosen = ((List)source).getSelectedIndex();   // CAST to a different type 
  
   if(source == students)
   {
       String stu = students.getSelectedItem();
       absent.add(stu);
       students.remove(stu);
   }

GUI Lists - 14 Oct 2014

Here is a sample program that uses an AWT List component.

GUI Applications in Processing - 13 Oct 2014

GUIplusTimes example

The sample above shows how to use a GUI IO library
to write a Processing program with Java AWT GUI components.
The teacher will explain how this works and make suggestions
for useful changes.

This page outlines how the flow-of-control functions.

Homework:

  Make the program better.
  (1)  When [Add] is clicked,
          it AUTOMATICALLY figures out B,
          by subtracting... 24 - A
  (2)  Put it all into a SMALL window - as small as you can.
          Maybe use 2 labels for instructions on 2 lines.
          It should still be readable and usable.
  (3)  Make a harder problem - bigger numbers.

Preview - 2 Oct

We wrote this program in class today -
it contains lots of Java concepts
that we will study after the break.

[HL] Robots - 1 Oct 2014

Here are some useful links for the discussion:

Robots for Humanity (video)

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/msl/index.html 

http://www.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm

Robots for Elderly People

All about robots

We want to answer the following questions:

• What makes a robot different from a computer?
• Why/when are robots useful?
• What are some current examples of successful uses of robots?
• What would we like robots to accomplish (please don't answer "everything")?
• What near-future developments are likely to turn some of our robot wishes into reality?

More Dice Simulations - 30 Sep 2014

Continue with your program from yesterday.

1. Calculate the TOTAL for each roll,
   e.g. 3-5-3-2 ==> total = 13
2. Determine the FREQUENCY of each possible total:
   4 -->  1%
   5 -->  2%
   ...
   24 --> 1%
   or something like that.  Make the program
   roll the dice lots of times and count the
   frequency of each total.
3. Change to 5 dice.
   Determine two numbers, LOWEST and HIGHEST,
   so that the probability of getting a total BETWEEN
   those limits is roughly 50%.
4. Make a new program that "flips" 6 coins.
   The result is the number of HEADS that appear.
   This could be any number from 0 to 6.
   Determine the frequency of each total.
   Hence decide whether it is better to bet on
   an EVEN result or an ODD result.

Dice Simulations - 29 Sep 2014

We will continue investigating the dice-rolling program:
Rolling Dice

== HOMEWORK ==

1. What if you roll 4 dice (add another variable)?

2. With 4 dice, is a MATCH more likely than no-match?

3. With 4 dice, how often do we get ALL 4 equal?

4. How often do you get 3 matching numbers in 4 dice (e.g. 4-6-4-4)?

5. If you roll 7 dice, how likely is it that there is NO MATCH?

Starting Java in Processing - 26 Sep 2014

You need to download and install Processing from http://processing.org
(or borrow a USB stick from the teacher).

Introduction to Probability Theory

We will study this program:  Rolling Dice

== Homework ==

Investigate the Dice-Rolling program.
Run it many times and decide whether
it is more likely to roll a MATCH
or to roll "no match".

More Practice with Strings - 24 Sep 2014

Vigenere Polyalphabetic Substitution

Substitution Cipher with Rotation (mod 26) - 23 Sep 2014

History of the Caesar Cipher

What is "mod 26"?  Why is it important?
How can we implement "mod 26" with ASCII codes?

We wrote this program in class - it will be the basis of tomorrow's quiz.
Ignore the red underlines.

Encryption - 22 Sep 2014

== Homework ==

Spend 30 minutes on the problems in these notes:
Caesar Cypher Algorithm

== Extra Reading ==

If you are interested, you can read more about the Caesar Cipher here:
History of the Caesar Cipher

[HL] Connecting Devices - 19 Sep 2014

How can we make SMARTER devices by connecting
them to other devices?

String FUNCTIONS - 18 Sep 2014

String Functions Reference

Simple Javascript String Problems

Look at this link : http://www.ridex.co.uk/cryptology/ 

Then try to find it at :  http://www.archive.org

We will discuss ENCRYPTION.

== Homework ==

- Watch the Code Breaking Video  (20 min)

== Later ==

- Choose one of the chapters in Too Much Information about Cryptology
   and read that chapter.  Keep track of ideas that you do NOT understand.

STRING Variables - 17 Sep 2014

Pseudocode - Translate_Strings

== Homework ==

Write a Cafeteria Prices program.  This must input
the name of a food and then output the corresponding price.
Do at least 5 food items.

Discount Logic - 16 Sep 2014

0^0 ??

In case you (or your Math teacher) are interested in 0^0, you can read this :
http://www.askamathematician.com/2010/12/q-what-does-00-zero-raised-to-the-zeroth-power-equal-why-do-mathematicians-and-high-school-teachers-disagree/

Simple Iteration - 12 Sep 2014

Homework :  Try to answer 1 or more of these questions:

What does  X^(1/X) look like (the graph)?
Does this have a solution:  X^(1/X) = 0
What is  0^(1/0) ?
What is 0^0 ?

Solving Equations - 11 Sep 2014

Pseudocode - Solving Equations

More Programming - 10 Sep 2014

Pseudocode errors and the IEEE Floating Point Legacy problem

The inaccuracies are connect to the IEEE Double Precision format.

[HL] 5 Minute Presentations about Devices - 9 Sep 2014

Mohit = doors
Santiago = elevators
Robin = Taxi
Nils = Traffic
Rishi = domestic robots vacuum cleaners
Christian = other domestic robots
Mulkey = washing machine

Homework for HL Students

All of the devices discussed (above) are individual devices.
The student presentations dealt with the behavior of individual devices.

It is possible to improve performance and make the devices "smarter" by:
- connecting many devices together so they share data
- connecting devices to a central controlling computer

For example, traffic lights are often connected to other traffic lights
so that as cars drive along at a constant speed, each light turns
green just a bit later than the previous light.  This alllows cars to
drive at a constant speed and always get green lights -
so they never need to wait at a red light.

Think about how some of these devices could become a lot SMARTER
by connecting to other devices or to a central computer.  Especially think about:
- what data should be exchanged between devices
- what processing can be done better with this extra data.

Bring some good ideas to class next HL meeting and we will discuss your ideas.

Binary Fractions - 8 Sep 2014

First a short 10 minute quiz about binary.

Then we are going to look at how decimal fractions
are stored in binary - and why that causes
errors in calculations.

Binary Conversions

Pseudocode Practice Tool

More Binary - 1-2 Sep 2014

Binary Storage Examples (continue)

Binary Conversions

Binary Storage - 29 Aug 2014

Binary Storage Examples

Introductory Slideshow about How Computers Store Data

[HL] Control Systems - 28 Aug 2014

Algorithms - 26-27 Aug 2014

The most important issue in Computer Science is AUTOMATION.
Automation is usually accomplished via ALGORITHMS.
Algorithms are implemented by writing PROGRAMS in a PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE.

At FIS, we will be writing programs in Javascript, to automate Web-pages.

But in IB examinations, algorithms are written in PSEUDOCODE.
Pseudocode looks like a programming language, but it is simpler.
We will start with Pseudocode, because it is simpler,
and later switch to Javascript which is more difficult but more useful.

Here is an online tool for practicing with pseudocode:

Systems Test - 25 Aug 2014

(1)  Test

(2)  Homework - watch this video about algorithms:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENWVRcMGDoU

      You will need a working computer in class tomorrow.

Hardware - Now and Future - 21 Aug 2014

We will discuss:

- System Monitor Investigation

- Future PCs

Reminder - Written test Monday covering
all the topics we have read and discussed this year.

Investigating Hardware - 20 Aug 2014

Wireless Electricity?

System Case Studies - 19 Aug 2014

Computer Systems Notes

We will discuss :
- Smartphones for Faculty
- Future PCs

Control Systems in Common Devices - 18 Aug 2014

Homework -

Write down 5 PROCESSING tasks that must be occurring
inside a GPS system.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7.1.1   Discuss a range of control systems.

A variety of control systems should be examined such as:
- automatic doors
- heating systems
- taxi meters
- elevators
- washing machines
- process control
- device drivers
- domestic robots
- GPS systems
- traffic lights
. . . and other common devices.

Technical knowledge of specific systems is not expected
but students should be able to analyse a specified system.

7.1.2   Outline uses of microprocessors
           and sensor input in control systems.

IB Computer Science Course Guide p.39

~~~~~~~~

We will study some sample control systems.
In each case, consider the following questions:

1. What input devices (sensors) must exist in the system?
2. What output devices (actuators/transducers or motors) must exist?
3. What processing must occur to make the system
   function correctly (input-processing-output)?
4. What rules must be implemented as decisions
   in the embedded controller?

What is a computer? - 15 Aug 2014

HL Class on Monday - can SL students also attend?

Continue discussing these Computer Systems Notes 
as well as the reading  chapter 1.1.

We will discuss any and/or all of the following:
- textbook SYSTEM
- FIS student database and scheduling SYSTEM
- proposal for SMART PHONE SYSTEM

First Day - 14 Aug 2014

Today's Assignment
How do we define the term COMPUTER?
We will discuss these notes Computer Systems Notes .

Homework
Read chapter 1.1 in your textbook.

==== Read the information below as time permits ====

Welcome to IB Computer Science In IB Comp Sci we will be writing programs in Javascript, as well as learning technical concepts and vocabulary about computer systems   .. more ..

===  Review ===

Systems Test

Binary Storage Examples

[HL] - Robots - http://www.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm