WELCOME!!

Today, the first day of the semester, will be a pretty typical 'first day of class'. We'll cover the course syllabus, then take a brief tour of the course website so you'll know where to find your project, reading, and homework assignment information.

If time remains, the rest of the class [or the second class meeting for the two-a-week section] we will begin to look at some of the fundamental concepts of computer programming and some examples.

This Week's Class Agenda

First Things First…

A little welcome message…

First we need to cover the basics, since fundamentals are critical to success in anything!

Helpful Links and Programming Information

There are some other links to explore which will be helpful throughout the semester:

As programmers, when you are creating JavaScript, and/or web pages in general (including CSS), you will be editing source code. This editing process requires that you have access to what is called a plain text editor.

If you are running Windows, there is a satisfactory one that is shipped with the operating system, called Notepad. There are also a plethora of free editor programs which you can download and install that have nice helpful things like syntax coloring and tool add-ons. Google it.

If you are running Mac OS, there is also a good one that ships with the O/S, called TextEdit. With this one, though, you will need to change your preferences to make it operate as a plain text editor. The instructions to make those changes can be found on the Apple Support Website at this location. Note also that changing the settings to plain text will mean that all new documents you create after making these settings will be plain text; you'll have to set them back to normal to get the fancy forms of rich text formatting which you're used to seeing. Again there are a plethora of free editor programs which you can download and install that have nice helpful things like syntax coloring and tool add-ons.

If you are running some flavor of Linux, there is a WONDERFUL tool that is shipped with all flavors of UNIX and UNIX-similar operating systems, called VI. It's newer child [which is also free to download and install] is called ViM. Nearly everyone complains about using VI, but it is ALWAYS AVAILABLE with any flavor of the UNIX operating system, so once you learn even its most rudimentary commands, you will always have a text editor available to you. In fact, because it is command line driven, you can use it in the terminal window on your mac as well!

Homework Assignment #1

I realize it's early, but there are four homework assignments for the semester. The first one is due in two weeks, so I'm assigning it now so you have plenty of time to complete the work. This first one is pretty easy, if you read the book and continue coming to class. Go check out the assignment page at this link to see the details. I've written the problems out for your convenience.

If you do NOT have a textbook as yet, you will need to find someone who will share with you until you can obtain your own copy. It is critical to your success in this class to have access to the text, so don't delay!

Week One Wrap-up

That's probably enough for the first week. Be sure to check out the links to the related materials that are listed on the class links page. Also, there are some links at the end of the first section of the week one PDF file just before the Loony Toons, which you should be sure to visit!


I hear, and I forget.
I see, and I remember.
I do, and I understand.
— Ancient Chinese Proverb