Revising CS-M41. Oliver Kullmann Computer Science Department Swansea University. Robert Recorde room Swansea, December 13, 2013.

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1 Computer Science Department Swansea University Robert Recorde room Swansea, December 13, 2013

2 How to use the revision lecture The purpose of this lecture (and the slides) is to emphasise the main topics of this course, and to help you structuring your revision of the module over the Christmas break. Hopefully, when revising the lectures, the courseworks, and the lab exercises, you will have many aha! -experiences, where things become clear. Sure, exam marks exist, but please don t forget that the main purpose of studying is to learn.

3 Lectures and the book Simply go through all lectures, and through the first 3 chapters of the book. It would be great if you could consider all the things in the book we didn t cover (if you have the time and interest; it is not needed for ). Obviously, the additional examples won t show up in, but they will help you. Perhaps for the three case studies (at the ends of the first three chapters) there is not enough time now but over the summer you might consider one of them, to refresh programming, and learn something about the three themes considered.

4 The lab sessions Programming is, especially in the beginning, mainly doing. So going through all lab exercises (in the support and in the exercise lab classes) is a good exercise. Likely you didn t do all of them. If you actually did, now reworking them with your enhanced understanding will further deepen your understanding. Finally, the book and the book s webpage contain a wealth of additional exercises.

5 On in general Three question, where you choose and answer two of them. Spend one hour for each of them don t overrun! Give yourself enough space. Don t get stuck. Many question have an open format just write as much as possible!

6 Typical parts of possible exam questions I I Specific programming questions: 1 Write a function which takes two integer parameters and returns their minimum. 2 Compute the sum or maximum of N numbers. 3 In general: various exercises on loops. 4 Using arrays, especially in combination with loops. 5 Using command-line arguments. 6 Writing either code snippets, or isolated functions, or classes, or complete programs.

7 Typical parts of possible exam questions I II For a beginner it is crucial not to use a text-editor with auto-completion and that s also important for the exam, so that you don t make too many syntax errors.

8 Typical parts of possible exam questions II General programming questions: 1 Explain how to define a function in general. 2 Explain what is a Java program. 3 Equality versus identity issues. 4 Differentiate between static and non-static functions. 5 Explain overloading. 6 Understanding variables in their various guises (function parameters, local variables, static variables, instance variables). 7 Technical effects of private-declarations. 8 Explain constructors. 9 Explain new. 10 Understand the issues around (im)mutability.

9 Typical parts of possible exam questions III General questions on how to do (good) programming: 1 Discuss which members of a class should be private and which public. Give some examples. 2 Explain the notion of a data type, and give some examples. 3 Reflect on pointers in Java.

10 Basic topics variables build-in data types expressions conversions conditionals loops arrays programs and the main-function local variables command-line arguments standard input and output final-declarations

11 Intermediate topics static functions function parameters overloading modules data types

12 Higher topics classes static variables instance variables non-static functions (methods) constructors creating objects equality private and public members of a class data types (im)mutability.

13 Remarks on special topics The differences between equality and (object) identity are important: Understand the concept of a method equals. Know what it means to pass an object (for example an array) as parameter to a function. Understand null. Another topic difficult for a beginner is constructors (but we have studied this in the second coursework).

14 Final remarks on Be as elaborate as possible (give me a chance to give you some marks(!)) Study the courseworks (and the solutions) well. Good luck! (Even better, if you don t need it.) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The End.

Revising CS-M41. Oliver Kullmann Computer Science Department Swansea University. Linux Lab Swansea, December 13, 2011.

Revising CS-M41. Oliver Kullmann Computer Science Department Swansea University. Linux Lab Swansea, December 13, 2011. Computer Science Department Swansea University Linux Lab Swansea, December 13, 2011 How to use the revision lecture The purpose of this lecture (and the slides) is to emphasise the main topics of this