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Introduction

This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles of programming. The focus is on systematic methods for developing robust solutions to computational problems. Students are expected to have experience writing interesting programs in some credible programming language (e.g., Python, Java, Scheme, C#, C++, Visual Basic .NET, PRL, Scheme, Lisp, etc.) but no specific programming expertise is assumed. The course is targeted at potential Computer Science majors but mathematically sophisticated non-majors are welcome. We expect students to be comfortable with high-school mathematics (primarily algebra, mathematical proofs, and induction) and the mathematical rigor and vocabulary of freshman calculus. Success in the course requires a deep interest in the foundations of computer science and software engineering, self-discipline, and a willingness to work with other people on programming projects. Topics covered include functional programming, algebraic data definitions, design recipes for writing functions, procedural abstraction, reduction rules, program refactoring and optimization, object-oriented programming emphasizing dynamic dispatch, OO design patterns, fundamental data structures and algorithms from an OO perspective, simple Grapical User Interfaces (GUIs), and an exposure to the challenges of concurrent computation.
Students will learn the practical skills required to write, test, maintain, and modify programs. Labs and assignments use the Scheme and Java programming languages.

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Every student must attend an assigned lab section each week. Lab sections meet M 2-3:25pm, M 3:30-4:55pm, and T 2:30-3:55 in Ryon 102 (the CLEAR lab room on the ground floor of the Ryon Building). If you have not already contacted Dr. Nguyen (dxnguyen@rice.edu), immediately send him an email message stating your preferred lab sections (first and second choices).

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All Comp 211 programming assignments will be run and graded on the new CLEAR educational computing facility. For instructions on how to use CLEAR, see the CLEAR web page.

Course Schedule

Note that future date schedules are only guidelines. Future homeworks and slides may contain materials from previous Comp 210 and Comp 212 classes. New material will be provided before the corresponding class. There will only be two exams in the course: one given on functional programming during week 7 and one on object-oriented programming given during in the last week of the course. Both are take-home exams. There is no final examination.

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