Getting Started

The course web has a lot to read. Here is a suggestion as to where to start (and a recommended order you could look at them).

This list is long - but it is worth taking the time to understand class before it starts.

1. Read through this page before following links from it.
2. Check the Course Overview page to get a basic sense of what the course is going to be.
3. Check the Course Pre-Requisites (should you be here?) page to get an idea of what you need to know to take this class. The Technical Requirements page describes what you need to participate in the class online.
4. Read the Communications page to understand how you will communicate with us in class. This is part of Policies, so you should read it first.
5. The Policies page will give you a sense of the rules for how the class will operate. There are lots of details, but make sure you understand the basic ideas (and click “read more” for the ones you are interested in). In particular make sure you understand Policies (Remote Format: Synchronous Mode of Instruction) and Policies (communications).
6. Read Getting Help in case you need it.
7. The Readings (Course Materials) page describes the readings and other materials we will use in class. The Books page to see what books we will use in class, and why you don’t need to buy any (but can if you want to).
8. Look at the Tools for 559 page to see what tools you will want to gather together to do the assignments in the class. We recommend that you use Visual Studio Code (see Visual Studio Code (VSCode) for CS559). The software page Software gives some instructions on how to set up Windows. It is important that you set up Git setup and SSH configuration.
9. The Javascript in CS559 page discusses the use of JavaScript in CS559, and gives some suggestions on how to learn it if you haven’t already.
10. The Learning Goals will help you understand what you are going to learn in class. Check the Calendar to see the planned schedule. You can also look at the Outline of Spring 2020 to see what we did in class last year.
11. Read about the Workbooks that we will use in class. Students also often ask about Grading.

Before class starts, we recommend that you:

1. Have a look at the web pages above.
2. Register for an account on GitHub if you don’t already have one.
3. Set up the tools you will want to use for the class and try them out. This includes configuring canvas and Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (BBCU). Set up Git setup and SSH configuration.
4. If you haven’t done any JavaScript programming before, have a look at some of the resources on the Javascript in CS559 page and try to do a little JavaScript programming. Read some of one of the books, maybe watch some of the videos, but also try things out!
5. If you’ve never used GIT before, you might want to read about it and try it out a little. See the Git and GitHub in CS559 page where I have a brief tutorial, and pointers to resources. There will be a GIT tutorial the first week of class.

If you need to find something on this course web, try using the search box in the upper right corner.