Data Structures Credit Timeline

(aka using Arrays and other ways of storing data)

Approximate Marking Scheme

• the ArrayList ipod assignment is worth the final 10% and some will not get to it.
• to reach the 50/60 range, you need to complete assignments 2 and 3,  plus get a passing grade on the end of credit exam
• to reach 70/80, you need to complete assignments 4 and the nickname generator from 5, plus acheive in this range on the end of credit exam
• to reach 90%, you need to complete the hangman version of assignment 5

Day 1 & 2 - Suggested Timeline

Read and add to the document called Data Structures 0.  Then continue reading below.

You probably found that most of the scenarios on Data Structures 1 were possible but extremely difficult.  Some specifics, however, you could not do.  The Data Structures credit is all about better storage of data.  We will be focusing most of our time on using ARRAYs but will also look briefly at some more complicated data structures.   We will also look at searching and sorting algorithms so that we can start to make more complicated, real life programs.

Learning Activity  - Watch TheNewBostson videos (also available on Youtube)  http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=31

• TheNewBoston Channel: Java Programming Tutorial 27 - Intro to Arrays
• TheNewBoston Channel: Java Programming Tutorial 28 - Creating an Array Table

Marked Activity - Complete Data Strut 1 - Questions assignment with a Java file to create too.  (shared through my.epsb.ca).  You will need to use the Blue Pelican Textbook.  There is a link to it from the Studapps (T:) drive.  This book is free so you are welcome to save it to your own USB drive and take it home if you wish. https://docs0.google.com/a/share.epsb.ca/document/d/1epRqKLz6s5g_JtFBalOBG6BS9MT89g1orRjkLwr_JdM/edit?hl=en#

Learning Activity  - Open, save and run the ArraysExampleOne. java file on Studapps (T:).  

• Have Mr. Couprie talk to you about using the For Loop and he will walk you through the examples on this document.  
• Note that there are lots of lines that are commented out.  Some of these lines recreate common errors.  You should uncomment these lines one at a time and see the outcome.

Need help on the For Loop?  Ask Mr. Couprie if he has time, OR Blue Pelican chapter 11 covers it well in less than 3 pages of reading.

Learning Activity  - Watch You Tube Videos:

• TheNewBoston Channel:  -Java Programming Tutorial 29 Summing Elements of Arrays. Access the video by clicking here.

Marked Activity - Complete Data Strut 2 - Adding to an existing Java file assignment.  (Instructions shared through my.epsb.ca.  Java file on Studapps).  

Day 3 & 4 - Suggested Timeline

Finish all of the above.

Learning Activity  - Watch You Tube Videos:

• TheNewBoston Channel: Java Programming Tutorial 30 – Using Array Elements as Counters Access the video by clicking here.

Learning Activity  - Passing Arrays into Methods as Parameters

Read through the first section regarding passing arrays into methods.  You will need this skill for the next activity. http://mathbits.com/mathbits/Java/arrays/ArrayMethod.htm

Learning Activity  You now need to learn a bit about searching algorithms.  Go on the Internet and find definitions the following terms.  You do not need to fully understand them; just get a feel for what they are.  In fact, Sequential Search is the only thing you need to use this year.

• Sequential Search (aka Linear Search) - for unsorted data
• Binary Search - for sorted data
• Bubble Sort - a sorting algorithm

Learning Activity  - Go to the Studapps Drive and look at the two files SequentialSearch1.java and SequentialSearch2.java.  Read the comments in the files carefully and experiment with the code for a few minutes to be sure you understand what is going on.  

• Add a couple of your favourite bands to SequentialSearch1.java and change the search terms to make sure it works
• Think about this: What should/could we do to handle the situation where a search term is not found.

Marked Activity: - Complete Data Strut 3 - Coffee Calorie Counter

Day 5 & 6 - Suggested Timeline

Learning ActivityThe following website has lots of great information all sorts  of Java concepts and we will be using it a lot the rest of the year:  http://chortle.ccsu.edu/java5/index.html#47

• Optional: if you feel like you need to review or learn a bit more about how arrays work, go to chapter 46.  Link through each page and be thoughtful about the questions you are asked at the bottom of each page.
• Required: Go to chapter 47.  Link through each page and be thoughtful about the questions you are asked at the bottom of each page.
• Required: Complete the quiz (next to the chapter 47 link) to test yourself

Finish all of the above

Day 7, 8 & 9 - Suggested Timeline

Marked Activity - Data Struct 4 Project - You get 2 classes to attempt one of the two options on the project.  Warning: Hangman is substantially harder than NickName Generator.

Learning Activity  - Watch You Tube Videos:

• TheNewBoston Channel: Java Programming Tutorial 31 – Enhanced For Loop Note: the enhanced for loop is entirely optional in future assignments.  It is simply an alternative to the normal FOR loop.
• TheNewBoston Channel: Java Programming Tutorial 33 – Multidimensional Arrays http://thenewboston.org/watch.php?cat=31&number=33
• TheNewBoston Channel: Java Programming Tutorial 34 – Table for Multidimensional Arrays http://thenewboston.org/watch.php?cat=31&number=34

Learning Activity  -

• Use the Kjell website:  http://chortle.ccsu.edu/java5/index.html#47

• Go to chapter 49C Two Dimensional Arrays.  Link through each page and be thoughtful about the questions you are asked at the bottom of each page.
• Complete the quiz (next to the chapter 49c link) to test yourself

Learning Activity - Printing a Grid

Practice your 2-D Array skills by creating a multidimentional array holding a completed Tic-Tac-Toe game.  Then figure out the most efficient way to print the table so that it looks something like a grid.        

Marked Activity - Data Structures 4 - Magic Square (Using a 2-D Array)

• read the instructions on the assignment.
• This is a hard activity.  Please come see me if you are struggling with it. The Blue Pelican Chapter (towards the end) explains how to do it if you read the chapter carefully enough.

Day 10 & 11 - Suggested Timeline

We have three remaining topics to cover.  Each you just need to be familiar with but I will not mark anything.  

• Merging arrays
• Alternative Data Structures

When looking for an algorithm for merging 2 arrays, I came across a website that uses an ArrayList.  An ArrayList is one type of alternative data structure. There are hundreds!  ArrayLists are a good one to start with as they are very similar to arrays but are expandable beyond their basic starting size.

Go to the following website: http://www.rgagnon.com/javadetails/java-0636.html and read through the FIRST example code only.

• The code uses some fancy code to change the first array into a list.  It then uses the addAll() method to add all the items of the second list.  Lastly, it converts it back to an array for printing.  This last part is not necessary but oh well.
• Alter the code to include the names of your first semester classes in the first array and your second semester classes in the second array.
• Look at Java Docs API and find the methods for ArrayLists.  And/or, you may want to watch the videos in the next section first.  Then:

• Figure out the code to drop your computing science class.  It should take a single line of code.  Place it before the ‘Object c’ line.
• Figure out the code to add your new course: Snowman Building.  It should take a single line of code.  Place it before the ‘Object c’ line.
• Add code that would print out the 3rd item in your ArrayList. Place it before the ‘Object c’ line.

Learning Activity - Go learn more about ArrayLists.  ArrayLists are just one type of data structure in the java group called Collections.

• TheNewBoston Intermediate Java 4 - Introduction to Collections: http://thenewboston.org/watch.php?cat=25&number=4
• TheNewBoston Intermediate Java 5 - Arraylist Program: http://thenewboston.org/watch.php?cat=25&number=5

Learning activity - Talk to Couprie and ask for his arraylist example as he suggest doing things VERY differently that in the above videos.

Marked Activity - Data Struct 7 - ArrayList Ipod