Getting Started

in Posts

Here is a list of things you can do before class starts. Once class starts, there will be a Canvas announcement reminding you to do these things, and giving you the first “assignment” for class.

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

  1. Read through this page before following the links from it.
  2. Read through How the Class Works (Course Rhythm). This will explain the mechanics and rhythm of the class.
  3. Read through the Syllabus. This covers most of the policies for the class, with links to the details.
  4. Read through Getting Help (Communication Policies). This also has the communications policies.
  5. You will need a GitHub account. Make sure that you have one set up. As a student, you can get GitHub for education, which is valuable (but not required for class).
  6. You will need a set of tools for the assignments in class, see Tools for 559. We recommend that you use Visual Studio Code and set up SSH keys for GitHub.
  7. Look at FAQ - The Whys? which answers many questions and gives the rationale for class.
  8. To prepare for the workbooks, understand how we use GitHub and GitHub Classroom Git and GitHub in CS559
  9. This class involves programming in JavaScript. If you are new to JavaScript, Javascript in CS559 will give you some hints on how to learn it quickly. If you already know JavaScript, Javascript in CS559 will explain some rules about how we use it.