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Homework 1

Assigned Sept. 1, due Sept. 20

To be done individually

• Fill out the pre-semester survey on the Web.
• Fill out the daily survey, including your name, at least once. (For the rest of the semester, you can use it anonymously if you wish.)
• Write a few paragraphs on your reaction to the following reading assignments, and turn them in by email to Dr. Bloch. Be sure to include your name!
  • Chapters 0-3 of the textbook.
  • The Joys (and Woes) of the Craft of Programming.
  • A brief video on Pair Programming. Note Sept. 15: Students have pointed out to me that the links to the videos are broken. Please try this link instead.
  • This article on Pair Programming.
  • Skim some of Why Scheme? (I recommend returning to this page and reading a few more entries every week.)
  • Skim Adages on Software Design and Development (Again, I recommend returning to this page and reading a few more entries every week.)
• Build some interesting pictures in DrRacket, using the material of chapters 1-3. Turn them in, along with the Racket expressions you used to build them, by e-mail. If you use copied images (e.g. clip-art or photos), tell me where you got them.
• Make an appointment (e.g. by e-mail) to see Dr. Bloch in his office for 5-10 minutes.

Grading standards

10 points possible: 1 for each survey, 1 for meeting Dr. Bloch in his office, 4 for the "reaction essay", and 3 for the artwork. The essay will be graded primarily on whether I'm convinced you've read the material and thought about it carefully, although really bad spelling, grammar, or style may cost you a point too. Pictures will be graded on creativity, attractiveness, interestingness, and demonstrated use of DrRacket graphics tools.