Lab 0: Preliminaries

Please complete ASAP!

This lab consists of some simple tasks that you should complete on your own as soon as possible.

If you encounter any problems while completing these tasks, please post your question to Piazza, our class discussion site. The link to our Piazza course page is available on this site’s navigation bar.

Task 0: Set up your CS account

In order to use the computing resources of the computer science department, you need to set up a CS account, which is different from your regular BU account. Here are the steps:

1. Go to the following page: http://www.bu.edu/cs/account

2. Click the red link labeled active a user account.

3. Enter your last name and BU ID number, and click Continue.

If you encounter problems creating your account, please email support@cs.bu.edu.

Task 1: Review course policies

As your next task, please review the policies of the course, which can be found in the syllabus and using the links in the navigation bar. In particular, please review carefully the policies on collaboration and academic misconduct for this course. Note that under some circumstances collaboration between students is encouraged, but there are important limitations to the extent to which you may do so. Read over these policies and ensure that you understand to what degree you may work with others. Feel free to let us know if you have any questions.

Task 2: Get a notebook for lecture

A number of lecture exercises will require you to write out your work on paper. As a result, you will need to bring a paper notebook (either loose-leaf or spiral) and a pen or pencil to every lecture. Doing so will also allow you to take notes during class, which we highly recommend!

Task 3: Install the necessary software

In your work for this course, you will need to have access to the following programming tools:

• the Java development kit (JDK) version 8. Although most computers already have the necessary software to run Java programs, they don’t all have the necessary software to develop new Java programs, which is why you may need to install the JDK.
• the Visual Studio Code (VSC) IDE, which you will use to develop your programs. (Note: You’re welcome to use a different IDE – or none at all – when developing your programs. However, we recommend VSC for this course, and it is the only IDE for which we will be able to offer support.)

If you already have the JDK installed, you only need to download VSC, but if you do not, you can follow the appropriate installer for visual studio for java developers and download both in one step.