Required Software

We will be using Java (Open JDK 21) as well as jGRASP to develop software this semester. Both Java and jGRASP are freely available and runs on both Windows and Mac computers, although the installation is slightly different for each system. These instructions cover:

1. Installing jGRASP
2. Setting up your directories on your computer
3. Join class on the Discord CS Server

Installing jGRASP

This is the ideal option as you will be able to develop Java software without requiring an Internet connection. Go to the jGRASP Download page. You do not need to fill out the survey to download jGRASP.

Scroll down to download the appropriate installation file for jGRASP 2.0.6_14 bundled with OpenJDK 21.0.1, Checkstyle 10.9.3, and JUnit 4.13.2 (most people will download either the Windows executable or the Mac OS X ARM 64 pkg file, although if your Mac is from 2021 or older, you may need macOS x64):

Double-click on the file to install jGRASP.

Mac Users:

You'll need to do the following to prevent jGRASP from freezing:

• Shut down jGRASP if it is running.
• From the Apple Menu go to "System Settings" > "Desktop and Dock".
• Scroll down to the bottom.
• For "Prefer tabs when opening documents", select "Never"

Next, run jGRASP. You will get a welcome window, inviting you to share data (it does not matter whether you consent or not).

1. After you can see the full jGRASP window, you may wish to change to a more attractive theme (like Nimbus), by clicking on Settings > Look and Feel > Nimbus:

3. Modify the settings so your program always shows Line Numbers by selecting View > Line Numbers:

4. Download this file and store it in your CMPT201 folder.

Then select Tools > Checkstyle > Configure

And enter the path to your Checkstyle-cmpt201.xml file:

For those using international editions of Windows

If you are using an international version of Windows (Chinese, Korean, etc.) you need to do one more step, otherwise compiler error messages will come out all garbled.

In jGRASP, open the Settings menu and choose Compiler Settings, then Workspace.

In the dialog box that opens, click the "Flags / Args" tab, then click the small black box to the right of "Compile." The text box next to "Compile" should become available. In it type this exactly (I suggest you copy, then paste into jGRASP using Ctrl+V):

-J-Duser.language=en

Click OK to save the settings.

Setting up your directories

On your computer, create a folder named "CMPT201" (in your Documents folder) where you will store all materials.

In this folder, create another folder called "Homework" where you will store all homework files and a folder called “Lab1”.

In the Homework folder create a folder named "HW1" where you will store the files for homework assignments. (Obviously the next homework assignment will be called "HW2" and so forth.)

We will be using Discord to communicate in this class. Discord makes it easy for you to share code with me and ask for help. Starting in Spring 2024, all CS classes will use the same Discord server, so you will only need to join our Discord server once.

To join CS Discord server, go to this Discord page and sign up for a new account.

If you've never used Discord before, you might want to:

• Register for a Discord account.
• download and install Discord on your laptop and phone
• watch this short video (2:26 minutes) to see how other college students and organizations are using Discord.
• learn aout the CS Westminster Discord server

If you already have a Discord account, you'll want to:

• change your user name for the CS server to something with your preferred name so everyone recognizes you
• modify your privacy settings so less of your activities (i.e., game playing) is shared with the CS server

Next, everyone will need to:

• enroll in intro-to-cs-201 on the CS server
• send a message to everyone in the 201 channel, introducing yourself - who are you, what's your major, and one other fact you'd like to share about yourself
• direct message Helen whether you have any prior programming experience (not common). If you have, please let me know what programming languages you've programmed in, and approximately how many programs you've written (< 10, < 100, or more than 100).