How To Submit Homework Assignments

Overview This document describes how to submit your homework assignments. To submit your homework file, follow these steps: Check your work Create a README.txt file. Archive your files (if required) Submit files to WebCT Check Your Work Check your answers and solutions to make sure you have all the required information. Also, be sure to test your code to make sure it performs as specified. ^ top Create a README.txt File You must turn in a README.txt file like the following for full credit on an assignment: Name: Paul Programmer Asn#: 3 Status: Completed Files: - MyMain.java: The main file - Console.java: User input methods - README.txt: Meta information about the homework files. Hours total: 9.5 Extra Credit: - None README.txt file name: The name of the README.txt file must be README.txt, or README*.txt where the * represents any set of valid file-name characters. Points may be deducted from your assignment score if you use a wrong file name. Name: Put your name on the first line of the file. Asn#: The number of the assignment. Status: Completed if the assignment is done. Otherwise, describe the current state of the assignment. Claiming you are done when you are not, or not accurately describing the status, may reduce your score. Files: Name of each file followed by a brief description. Hours spent: Record the estimated hours you spent on the homework assignment. Use decimal numbers only, such as 6.5. Do not use minutes or fractions such as 1/2. Label the hours as shown and put the estimated hours on the same line as the label. Extra credit: Describe any extra credit you attempted for the assignment. In addition, label the extra credit as shown in the example above. Failure to follow these instructions may reduce the number of any extra-credit points you receive. ^ top Archive Your Files Archiving your files means to create a file containing one or more files in a compressed format. If there are few files to turn in, the instructor usually does not require archiving. If archiving is required, the instructor will specify this requirement in the assignment under the heading of "What to Turn In". When submitting files for grading in an archived format, you need to include your source code (*.java), compiled (*.class) and README.txt files. Most Java applications are archived in a JAR (Java ARchive) format. To create a JAR file, follow these steps: Open a console window and change to the root directory of your application. cd C:\cs20\homework\asn03 Prepare a text file, such as mainclass.txt, that contains a single line with the phrase Main-Class: followed by the name of your class that contains the main() method for your application. For example: Main-Class: TurtleTracks This lets you start your program by by double-clicking. Save the mainclass.txt in the same directory as your application. Do not forget to include a blank line at the end of the file. Archive the application using the Java jar tool. For example, to add all the files in the current directory to a JAR file named asn04.jar: jar cvmf mainclass.txt asn03.jar . Note that the trailing dot specifies all files in the current directory and all subdirectories. You can specify a list of files and subdirectories instead if you prefer. For instance: jar cvmf mainclass.txt asn03.jar *.class *.java To verify the JAR file executes your program correctly, double click on it. Alternatively, you can execute the JAR file from the command line: java -jar asn03.jar Note that if you are having problems running the JAR by double-clicking, then run the JAR file from the command line to see the errors reported. A simple way of checking the contents of the JAR file is to open it with a zip utility, such as WinZip or 7-zip. Alternatively, you can type this and view the table of contents: jar tf asn03.jar If you want to extract all the files from the JAR file, you can use: jar xf asn03.jar For more information on JAR files see the Java Tutorial : Lesson: Packaging Programs in JAR Files ^ top Submit Files to WebCT Submit the files using WebCT. After logging in to WebCT, click the Assignments link and then click the link for the correct assignment number. Follow the instructions for uploading your files to the server. Do not submit Word or Excel documents unless specifically allowed in the assignment instructions. Failure to follow this requirement will result in a lower grade. In Case of Difficulty If WebCT is not available, or is giving you trouble, then contact the instructor for assistance. If the hour is late and your assignment is due early the next day, then email the instructor with a description of the problem and attach your assignment, with a copy to yourself. Also, bring your assignment to class in digital form so you can try to upload before class. The instructor cannot post your grade unless you submit your assignment using WebCT. Thus, the instructor will work with you to get your assignment submitted through WebCT. However, the final responsibility for submitting assignments to WebCT on time rests with the student. Please plan ahead in case of difficulties. ^ top Home | WebCT | Announcements | Schedule | Room Policies | Course Info Help | FAQ's | HowTo's | Links Last Updated: September 22 2007 @17:52:19