VCU Java Tutor Spring 2006

Here you will find information about Java.  I will be working to add useful content throughout the semester.  Look for assignment specific content and a prettier web site soon. Josh will be the tutor for info 250 students, while Ryan will be the tutor for info 350 students this semester.

 

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Josh

9:00-11:00am

2:00-7:00

9:00-11:00am

2:00-7:00

9:00-11:00am

Ryan

 

2:00-7:00

 

4:00-7:00

May be in earlier on Thursdays

 

The current Java tutor hours are listed in the table above.  You can find the java tutors in the tutoring office located in room 4112 on the fourth floor of the business building.  Room 4112 is located across from the group projects lab near the elevators. 

Info 250 students:  If you have questions, I would recommend simply coming in to ask them.  There is a wealth of information available online to help you, but much of it will be very confusing until you get deeper into the Java language.  Towards the end of the semester however, you may want to start familiarizing yourself with some of these resources.

Info 350 students: Before coming to the tutoring office, it is best if you attempt to solve the problems you are having on your own.  Reading your text as well as visiting the online API documentation are the best ways of going about this.  Learning to use the available documentation to solve problems is the key to becoming a successful programmer.

Are you just getting started?  Click the links below to get the software you need:

Download Java J2SE 1.5.0 JDK, I recommend you download the offline installation package.  Do not download the version packaged with NetBeans.  The NetBeans IDE has too many features that become cumbersome when building the simple programs you will be required in these courses.

Download JCreator LE 3.5, JCreator LE will get the job done just fine.  The pro version has features that will be particularly helpful when you get to Info-350.  If you want to try it and see the diference, it's on the computers in the labs in 4113 and 4118.

A note about IDEs:  An IDE, Integrated Development Environment, is an application that helps you write software.  It's really just a text editor with features that make coding easier.  A generic IDE like JCreator is more than adaquate for Info 250, 350 and 450.  JCreator Pro offers code copmleteion which can be very helpful in Info 350 when you start writing more API intensive applications such as those with graphical user interfaces.  If you are going to be doing web development such as in Info-451 consider the IBM WebSphere IDE.  It is available for free from the ISY web site.  Info-250 students should not be using WebSphere.