PROGRAMMING AND LABORATORY-2 PRACTICE

The course aims at introducing the basic elements of imperative programming to devise algorithmic solutions to simple problems.

The student will learn and understand the foundations of computer science for what concerns imperative languages and basic algorithms. Moreover, the student will understand problem solvability and the ability to select suitable methods for problem analysis and modeling.

At the end of the course the student must be able to use a professional programming environment, to edit, debug, compile and run programs on Unix-like and Windows platforms. In particular, he/she must know how to:
1. formalize a problem of limited complexity (providing the specification);
2. designing one or more solutions to it (developing corresponding algorithms);
3. implement these solutions using imperative programming languages;
4. verify the execution of the proposed programs with appropriate test cases.

Basic elements of logic. Elementary notions of programming in C (assignments, iterations, functions). Pointers in C.

Variables and elementary types of the C++ language.
Pointers and References in C++.
new and delete operators for the allocation and deallocation of dynamic memory.
Parameter passing by reference.
Array in C and C++. Using templates.
Strings in C and C++.
Recursion.
Lists and algorithms on lists.
Abstract data types by using classes.
Queues and Stacks.
Using templates.

B. Stroustrup: Programming. Principles and Practice Using C++. Second Ed. Addison Wesley

The exam consists of a written test, oral interview, in the weekly laboratory assignments and a final project.

Description of the written exam for FULL TIME and PART TIME students:
The written test aims to evaluate the student's problem solving skills, the knowledge of the C++ language and the ability to code the algorithm devised as solution. This part of the exam can be taken in two ways:
With a single written exam on the scheduled dates.
With two intermediate exams, one during the course and the second one at the same time of the first exam call.
The written exam contains exercises to be solved and the oral interview consists in a discussion of the written exams as well as the verification of the problem solving skills and theoretical knowledge.

Description of laboratory exercises and final project:
The laboratory exercises aim to develop the student's problem solving skills, the knowledge of the C++ language and the ability to code the solution algorithm devised in the programming language. The final project aims to evaluate the ability to apply the skills acquired to the solution of more structured problems.

The criteria for the evaluation of the laboratory part differs according to the type of student. For FULL-TIME students it is mandatory to deliver the laboratory exercises that will be assigned during the course and the final project. The laboratory part is sufficient if at least 60% of the exercises and the final project are sufficient. The evaluation of the project contributes to the determination of the final score of the course. PART-TIME students can choose whether to take the exam in full-time student mode or replace the laboratory part with an oral exam. The project is required for all students including the part-time.

STUDENTS WITH CERTIFIED HEALTH PROBLEMS OR PARTICIPATING IN STUDENTS' EXCHANGE PROGRAMS OR STUDYING ABROAD may fulfill the requirements of the laboratory part with alternative tests which will be agreed with the teachers.

Lectures and laboratory exercises.

written and oral