The textbook and its uses

For this course, there is no required textbook, nor are the readings required. Instead, the readings listed below are meant to provide you reinforcement and a reference for the material discussed in lectures and used for projects. The optional textbook that we will use for this purpose is available as a freely PDF file [if you are unfamiliar with PDF files, start here]:

Java Programming by Prof. Lyle McGeoch

The readings

• Jan-28:

  • Topics covered: A first program; writing/compiling/executing; declaring variables; performing basic arithmetic; numeric types; integer vs. floating point arithmetic.

  • Reading: Sections 2.1 through 2.6.

• Feb-15:

  • Topics covered: Writing and calling methods

  • Reading: Chapter 6

• Feb-15:

  • Topics covered: Conditional statements (if-then and if-then-else)

  • Reading: Chapter 3

• Feb-15:

  • Topics covered: Iterative statements (while loops)

  • Reading: Chapter 4, through and including Section 4.3