We would like to suggest the following procedure when you are writing, executing, and modifying programs. Some of these programs will be programming assignments that you will need to send to us for evaluation, some may be examples you are running in order to practice and/or check certain C++ features.
Please note that you may choose a different approach; this is fine. As long as you can keep an orderly record of your files and as long as you can send us the assignments, anything rational is acceptable.

1) Create a folder with the name engr1 in the hard drive of of your computer. In this folder create 10 ( or 11) different subfolders named unit0, unit1, unit2, .. etc.
2) You can save relevant examples, the source code file of your PAs (Programming Assignments) etc. in the proper subfolders .
3) Make sure your engr1 folder is properly and periodically backed up (by diskettes or zips or other means).

4) WHEN YOU ARE READY TO WRITE A PROGRAM create a new folder on your desktop ( right click the mouse and select new then folder) then activate your software. As soon as you have entered a few lines into the software's text editor, save the file in the desktop folder you have created and name the file appropriately, say, exone1.cpp for the first example of unit one.
Some of our students prefer to create a temporary folder in the C drive rather than on the desktop. This prevents the deletion of the desktop folder in case of an accidental crush of the PC.

5) After you finish writing the program, run it , check it, change it until it reaches the state you are satisfied with. If it is an assignment make sure that it confirms to the specifications given and that contains everything indicated on the grading key. Note that compilation of a file creates several large files other than the source code. Subsequent compilations of modified versions of the file are quick.

6) When satisfied with your program, copy the source file ( the .cpp file ) to the appropriate subfolder of your engr1 folder. You may decide to copy the executable as well ( the .exe file ) and any other data files your program reads or creates ( We will be discussing these types of files later). But DO NOT copy the other files automatically created by your software. If you need to modify your program at a later day, your software will regenerate them using your source code file.

7) If you are using Visual C++ and you need to start working on a different program ( or equivalently, if you want to save a modification of your source file under a different name), you must first select from the Files menu the command "Close Workspace". In the dialog box which shows up ( " do you want to close all document windows? " ) select "no" . This way the source file will remain available so that you can proceed to modify it.

8) Delete the desktop folder save yourself some memory.

9) Use the drop box ( from Student Tools in Course Info) to send us your assignment. From the drop box page, click on the button named Send File.

10) We will return to your box a taxt file named by part of your last name followed by the assignment number and the word graded. For example if your name is John Smith and we are returning the file of your first programming assignment, we will name the file smitpa1graded.txt

11) If you feel that your assignment has been improperly graded, let us know gently. We are all humans and, thank God, capable of making mistakes.

Jacob Y. Kazakia © 2001 All rights reserved