CSE 8A

CSE 8A: Problem Solving Assignments (PSAs)

Basics

Most weeks there will be a set of problem solving assignments due. These will consist of:

reading problem statements from a README
formulating a plan to solve the problem (an algorithm)
implementing a solution (writing a program in Java that solves the problem)
completing an interview with a tutor. NOTE: Tutors will not be available to give interviews after 6 PM on the date that an assigment is due (in order to dedicate their time to those finishing the assignment).
NOTE: If you fail to complete an interview, you can earn at most 25% of the points for a PSA. You MUST do so. If you will be gone, you should complete the interview early.

We will be employing the pair programming portion of the Extreme Programming software development methodology in doing PSAs for this class. Read here for more details about how we'll be pairing for this class and what pair responsibilities are.

Go HERE to manage your PSA pair partner (e.g. submit the name of a team, find out who your partner is, request a new partner, etc.)

Links to PSA READMEs

README Assignment 10: Due Tuesday March 10 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs March 12 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 9: Due Tuesday March 3 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs March 5 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 8: Due Tuesday Feb 24 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs Feb 26 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 7: Due Tuesday Feb 17 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs Feb 19 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 6: Due Tuesday Feb 10 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs Feb 12 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 5: Due Tuesday Feb 3 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs Feb 5 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 4: Due Tuesday Jan 27 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs Jan 29 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 3: Due Tuesday Jan 20 , 11:59pm Interview due by Thurs Jan 22 -- you can do an interview as soon as you are done!
README Assignment 2: Due Tuesday Jan 13 , 11:59pm
README Assignment 1: Due Sunday Jan 11 , 11:59pm
- NOTE: If you added the class late, please go ahead and complete PSA1. Turn in your integrity form in class.

What is the purpose of PSAs?

PSAas are your opportunity to test for yourself whether you are really understanding the computational concepts we are learning in this course. By giving you the chance to solve problems and create solutions with Java code that requires you to use these concepts -- you'll get to build your own understanding of the power of computation.

Your main goal in completing a PSA is to make sure that, in the end, you COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND what your program is doing and why. Just managing to get a program that compiles and seems to give the right output won't do. You need to understand WHY the program does what it does -- and how you might change it to do something slightly different.

To this end, we ask you to turn in your program electronically, so we can test it. But we also ask you to come into Open Lab and be interviewed (individually) by a tutor about your code within 48 weekday hours after the electronic turnin deadline. More details will be in each PSA readme.

Interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Consult the Open Lab tutor hours to see when a CSE8A tutor is available. If the tutor is already busy when you arrive, you will be asked to put your name on the board. Don't wait until the LAST MINUTE to get your interview! If everyone does this, then the tutor will not have time to get to you. No extensions will be given if you arrive after the tutor's scheduled time is full. Interviews take approximately 5 minutes.