Parkland College
2400 West Bradley Avenue, Champaign, Illinois 61821
Csc 220 Data Structures
Programming Languages and Environments 
Fall 2006
 

Programming Language

Work in this course will be done in standard ANSI C or C++, as specified by the instructor.  For most of the work, you will probably have the choice of using either C or C++.  Use of the Standard Template Library will be encouraged, but not required.  For certain specific projects, you may not be allowed to use certain parts of the Standard Template Library, however.  In that case, I will clearly state in the project's assignment what can and cannot be used.  You are welcome to use Microsoft Visual Studio.NET, g++ on Linux, a MacIntosh based C++ ANSI compiler, or any reasonable ANSI C++ environment you wish.  Please see the next section on grading, however.
 

Programming environment used for grading

All grading must be done either on the instructor's computer, using Microsoft Visual Studio.NET, or Linux using the csit.parkland.edu Linux servers, or on an Internet server with ANSI C++ using your account, or on your portable computer.  In other words, your program must easily compile and run in my office.  Making sure your programming environment works properly during grading is your responsibility.  I will not spend extensive time, or make allowances in your grade, because of operating system or programming environment problems.   I reserve the right to approve or specify a specific brand of compiler, operating system, and programming environment for grading purposes, but I will try to accommodate your system if possible.
 

Programming environment used in class.

We will use Microsoft's Visual Studio.NET for all in-class work in this course.  We will stick with standard ANSI C++, however, and will spend the minimum time possible learning the how to use Visual Studio.NET.   We will not learn or use any of its advanced features, and our code will not use any of the Microsoft specific libraries.  The code we develop in class should compile and run on any other ANSI C++ system with a minimum of problems.

Suitable computers with C++ compilers on campus

You may use any C++ compiler that supports standard ANSI C++ with the Standard Template Library.  Since all modern C++ compilers also support C, you will also be able to do any programs specified for C.  The preferred compilers for use on campus is the Microsoft's Visual Studio.NET compiler, set to compile to standard ANSI C++ without any Windows extensions or the csit.parkland.edu Linux g++ compiler.  These compilers are available at the following locations:

Most CSIT department labs, as posted in our Open Lab Times

M108 during most hours that Parkland is open (see schedule posted in M108)

Peer Tutoring, first floor of the new D-Wing

Any Wi-Fi "Hot Spot" on campus using a portable computer and a wireless card

 

C++ compilers you can use off campus

Any C++ compiler that supports ANSI C++ code with the modern version of the Standard Template Library can be used, including Linux, Unix or earlier versions of Microsoft Visual C++.  If your C++ compiler understands   #include <iostream>   and   using namespace std;   it is acceptable.

Since you are a student within the Computer Science and Information Technology Department at Parkland College, you can get a Microsoft's Visual Studio.NET C++ Compiler for use on your home machine.  This is part of Microsoft's MSDN Academic Alliance program, which allows you to permanently install a large number of Microsoft products on your home computer for free.  For more information go to http://www.parkland.edu/csit and click on the MSDN Academic Alliance hyperlink: MSDN Academic Alliance.  

A major difference between compilers is how they handle multiple file projects.  We will be using multiple file projects in this course.  The project files between different brands of Windows based compilers are never compatible.  Unix's "make" files have more consistency. You will need to create a new project on the new compiler if you want to change compilers. Often even changing between versions of the same brand of compiler will cause problems. Whatever compiler you use, you are responsible for checking your work on a system that works easily in my office.  See the grading section above.

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  Scott Badman   Office: B132   Phone:  353-2250   sbadman@parkland.edu  

Parkland College, 2400 W. Bradley Avenue, Champaign, IL 61821