Java class - challenging?

[random]

I'm taking the AP comp. sci AB (honors level) exam in may this year. The course is in C++. So I'm wondering, would the intro to Java course be something I should take? I'm hoping to come 3rd session, and the Java/Web design course is what I'm looking at right now, but since I have 3 semesters of programming under my belt, I don't know if that would be challenging enough. I was thinking maybe the advanced java course might be possible, but I'm just starting to learn java on my own, and I can only come 3rd session anyway, so ... moot point. I enjoy programming and I want to learn about developing for the web (so HTML, php, etc. too), but I don't know much HTML yet, so the Develop. Web Apps class might be over my head. What's your advice for session 3 (oh, and the film classes don't really interest me.)?

Thanks! I look forward to your reply.

[jyorke]

Usually we try to group the introductory classes into a beginner group for those with no (or very little) programming experience and an intermediate group of students who know some language (not necessarily Java). This year, we would probably be doing the same, at least for 2nd and 3rd session. Campers who sign up for Java/Web and Java/VR will probably be split into Java classes based on ability level as opposed to whether they are taking Web or VR in the afternoon. The details havn't all been ironed out, and the instructors for these classes will have to figure it out, but I expect it will be somewhat like what I just wrote.

Anyone who had Intro Java last year with Dan or Jamie (the intermediate-level class), please post your comments as well... it's always nice to hear from the students as well as the teachers.

The upshot of this is that if you take Java/Web, we will do our best to challange you, and if I know our instructors (and I do http://campcaen.engin.umich.edu/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif), they will be happy to help you pursue things that exceed the class description if you want to. For example, a couple of Dan's students last summer (in "intro" to Java) got as far as making a client/server networked IM program, which is actually one of the projects that I'm interested in teaching for the advanced class this year!

As for the Web Apps class, the level of knowledge required isn't high at all (see http://campcaen.engin.umich.edu/specs/html.pdf for what you need to submit to take the class). The web apps class is really more of a programming and database class than a web design class, so things don't need to look TOO pretty for it, and advanced CSS/Javascript/HTML4 features really aren't going to be used at all. My focus in that class will be on server-side things (PHP and databases). And of course, I (and my assistant and CIT) will be willing to help you with your HTML along the way.

So, for you, I can recommend both Java and Web Apps... both should be a fun learning experience from what you've written.

[random]

Thanks - I'm really looking forward to this. On an unrelated note, given my AP/OOP C++ experience (previous post), how important do you think it is (for "real world" use) that I learn to use the STL, stdio.h, printf(), etc. as opposed to apstring, apvector, etc.

[-D12-_LMN8R]

Last year I was a camper first session in Intro to Java. I'm in AP Comp right now, so I've just started learning C++ this year. Last year in Intro to Java, I had experience in just QBasic and Visual Basic, but knew Visual Basic VERY well. Intro to Java was still a pretty big jump for me (I was in the advanced-beginner class, if you will), and now that I know some C++, I'd still say it's different enough from Java to be a challange.

Basically, it's a two-week course, and that two weeks would be a perfect introduction for a student like you who knows C++ really well and wants to get into Java.

[Xtraneous]

If you already know *higher* math (Algebra) and a basic programming langauge (in my case, I learned BASIC out of neccesity; bored in math... but I had a TI-83+) the advanced class is perfect for you.

I knew absolutely nothing about Java when I started the Advanced-Beginner class, and that was fine!

--Dov

here's an idea - download the notepad 'software' TI offers - it's almost unusable, but then you can tell your non-math teachers you're taking notes ... hmm... i wonder if you could plug an 802.11 card into a TI 83+... http://campcaen.engin.umich.edu/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif