Previously on CS399J...

Another big class. Lots of people with lots of opinions.

1. What do you wish you had known before taking this course?
• Not much attention to concepts...heads down programming examples. Wish I had researched the programming language at a higher level
• Better Object Oriented Programming. XML Class. To get familiarized with JavaDocs.
• Eat a heavy lunch, other than that I felt the course was pretty comprehensive.
• Since Java is more and more popular. I want to know some basic skill of Java that can make me feel good when I go to interview.
• My name [There's one in every class...]
• Nothing.
• I wish I had known more about networking.
• A good command line parser
• I wish I'd known more about UNIX since we spend so much time using it.
• More about networking, so that I can enjoy learning the power of Network Java programming more.
• More about UNIX.
• Before taking this course I wish that I had known UNIX a little better, but I feel that I had a sufficient programming background to really get in Java otherwise.
• Well, Java is similar to C++. Since I already know C++, it seems that networking and security are new to me. I wish I would have taken Networking class.
• Class structure. Understand the class object. Know the Java documentation on your web site.
• Nothing comes to ming expect I wish I would have known more about my work schedule, so I wouldn't have missed any classes.
• I wish I can write some programs of Java after finishing the class. I did. I can write Java programs!
• General stuff like the other program course.
• I knew a little Java and a good deal of C++ coming in, I'm glad I did. Pretty fast pace. I think you teach a lot in 1 quarter (This is good!)
• I wish I had the simple knowledge of how to just compile a "Hello World" program. And to understand the basic Java compile and run syntax.
• How to write a Java program. How to use interface.
• I wish to know how Java differs from C or C++ language. Also, I want to know my ability to learn different languages.
• I wish I could take this class with other non-programming class, so I can spend more time to student Java. I have done the class's assignment pretty good, but I still want to learn more about Java.
• I wish I read the book about Java and XML before I take this course so that I don't have to suffer during this course. I also wish that I had better programming skill in C.
• I wish I had known that compiling/running command can get large and complex and that I was familiar with Ant.
• I don't think anything is required for this course. It would be useful if I knew more about networking.
• I felt knowing C++ will help a lot in this course.
• I wish I have taken compilers and OS, I think that could have helped me. Also I wish I have worked more with object oriented programming. Also I wish I knew how tie consuming this class really is.
• Java programming because I have a java program before and the problem is I don't know java at all in the first time. After those project I can program in java but only some part that in assignment. When I was this class, I think about learn to program the java in general and more detail.
• I heard about Java, but I didn't know what does it mean, and also how does it use to write a program. Thus, I wish to know this language and how strong it is used for. I wish to learn about the concepts, also functions, classes, variables...used to write the program. And how to compile and execute it.
• More familiarity with UNIX environment (for group quizzes)
• Networking knowledge may help me in the last few weeks.
• Not specially.
• I think I did most of the prerequisites before this course like 4 courses on C++ and did in CS202 object oriented programming a little bit. But I wish I had a good hold on OO programming.
• More about networking and XML

2. What is the most important thing you have learned in CS399J?
• Reflection...I think
• Capabilities of Java, its classes and methods, object oriented programming. Java is cool, Dave is cool.
• Programming to the interface, I haven't seen it emphasized as much in any books.
• We learn the concept in the class, but when we do the projects that is not enough, so I have to find some source. Solve problem by myself. That improves my ability.
• Object oriented programming basics, using functions, networking.
• I better understanding of OOP.
• I really liked the lecture on JUnit Testing. That lecture will not only help me in Java, but with other programming.
• Networked programming
• How to write programs in Java! Seriously, I think the most important thing I've learned is how to think in an object oriented fashion. Java's 100 times better than C++ at being truly object oriented.
• Expand my mind to a better OOP, than what I had in C++. I felt that I learned more about real-world program unlike the complexity of C++ where it is really hard to develop something useful.
• To use Java, which allows me to construct fairly complex programs relatively easily (especially when compared to C++).
• After taking so many courses in C++. I still felt that I didn't have a firm grasp on object oriented programming. After programming in Java and having all these objects and data structures made for me already, I really understood how object oriented programming works.
• The most important thing is networking and security.
• A lot of things: Class structures (inheritance, creating object). Networking in Java language.
• The power of Java in terms of its portability and overall ease of use. Also, Java networking capabilities.
• From my view, Java is better than C. There are so many classes there: you can use them without knowing what's really going on. Java gives error msg, which it is easy to follow and to find problems in you code. In C, I sometime got lost from error msg.
• Internet.
• Programming procedures and ideology of Java programming.
• Everything in Java is based on using a class. Not every language is this way. And to properly use method and syntax, then you must lookup the class involved.
• How to use class, exception, object and method overload.
• The most important thing I have learned in CS399J is class and access to internet.
• The most important thing I have learned in CS399J is object oriented programming in Java. Java utilities for networking and security. These concepts are interesting for me.
• The most important thing I have learned in CS399J is the programming kill in Java. I did not know that Java is also useful in networking and operating system. Java is so much powerful than I thought.
• The most important thing was realizing both the differences and similarities Java has to other languages.
• How to do networked programming. I never did networked programs.
• How to document a program. Have a plan before starting a program and the main thing is testing.
• Object oriented programming. Networking (still working on it). Security.
• 1. The java basic class such as Object, I/O, lang, and etc. 2. The technique in programming in networking, XML, and many thing from the project.
• The most important thing I have learn in CS399J is that I can understand and use classes, objects, interface, to write code for a Java program. Also, I like the way to use Java for XML and networking.
• How to navigate the JavaDocs and glean the info I needed from the quickly.
• The powerful features in Java. We strongly focused on how to use tools in Java, which is great.
• Java API, which is reliable, and which I do not need to know how it work.
• 1. Dealing with Objects and using classes that some else created. 2. Networking and security and testing your own code. 3. RMI
• Programming to the interface! Yes, I took this course in part to hopefully succeed in compiler class, but I did want to learn OO programming so P.T.I. practice is very helpful. XML is kind of cool too.

3. If you could give one piece of advice to someone taking this course in the future, what would it be?
• Buy a book, maybe "Java for dummies" (not sure if they make this) that gives it you in lehmans [sic] terms.
• Make sure to have good understanding of classes, XML language and object oriented programming.
• Eat a heavy lunch.
• Don't take some other classes that also needs a lot of time to do projects.
• Be prepared to embrace the wonders of a modern computer language and experience the wonder of a language so well structured and documented that you may need no text.
• Take a course that requires parsing before this, like operating systems, if they still require you to create a shell.
• Keep up with the course. The Homework piles up quickly.
• Take it from D.W.
• Look at the code samples on the web sit and pay very special attention to the command lines to compile and run the code.
• Try to learn from this class as much as you can.
• Don't forget to turn in the POA's.
• Ask lots of questions if you are lost or confused! I feel that is something I don't do and would benefit more from instead of trying to figure stuff out on my own.
• This class seems to be easy at first. This class is time consuming. One thing I would advise is consider carefully when taking other classes with CS399J.
• Ready to have fun. Spend a lot of time reading the lecture note and practicing the example of code.
• Make sure to look at David's examples! They will help you a lot when doing the projects.
• Slow speaking speed a little
• Good lectures and examples. Good program homeworks.
• Learn to use and love Javadocs - and I think it's important to learn the benefits of using Java (and power) - learning about RMI and stuff like that, is, cool, but not a major deal to learn specifics.
• Either look-up or ask someone to show you how to use an alias file for all those long Java compile and run lines of code.
• Read the example in Dave's program.
• It would be encourage CS student taking this class because they will learn many new things from CS399J and stay away from C or C++ language.
• Stay with the class! Try out the project assignment! Ask David for help! And enjoy it! It's fun!
• Who want to take this class needs to read the book ahead of time in order to catch up because the instructor goes really fast to cover a lot of materials in one term.
• Get familiar with packages in Java and the file structure as early as possible so you save time on projects.
• Be familiar with networking terms although you will only do networking toward end of the term. If you know how to program in any other language you can success in this class.
• If you like programming take this course. You will enjoy it.
• Don't wait until the last minute to work on the programs. Read lecture notes. They help a lot to get the assignments done. Spend some time playing around with the Java doc.
• 1. Ask for more homework. Because, the home work will make more understanding and problem solve and familiar with java.
• My advice is that h/she should not feel hard, take it easy. Try to discover and learn more. Feel free to ask if she/he get stucks, and [illegible] to enjoy the class. And ask for help any time.
• Know you UNIX environment and be ready to spend some time learning the JavaDocs (okay that's two)
• It's not heard but sure needs a lot of works. Don't take too many classes along with this.
• Make the specification of lab very clear before starting coding.
• Read lecture before coming to the class. This is the most important thing I guess. And before taking this course setup you Java machine and tools you want to use.
• Make sure you understand how to use javac, packages, java options, and be able to run a program. Ask during 1st three weeks or Dave gets pissed that you don't know it.

4. What made you stay in this course?
• Keeps me out of the bar
• Never a doubt.
• I found Java interesting.
• I don't want to stop because once I chose this class I always want to conquer [sic] it. To learn something new, not to waste money, and at the end, get my degree.
• I [heart] Java
• I enjoyed doing the projects.
• I know I needed to learn Java this term so I could be prepared for compilers next term.
• Interested in learning Java and OOP.
• Java is addictive! I've really enjoyed writing this code once I got going. Besides, it's great for the resume.
• My interest in learning Java. Your teaching style.
• To learn more about Java (and I need this class to graduate).
• It might sound weird to a non-CS student but I really like to geek out in from of my computer for hours and hours and just code until my brain goes to mush! And java is a pretty cool language to do that in.
• I like to learn Java. I love it. The other thing is that CS321 (compiler) will be taught in Java. So, I have to go through this class.
• It's one of best course that I ever have. I learned more than I expect and could imagine. The lecture is so good and helpful. The lab exercise is helpful.
• It was just plain interesting and I was learning a great deal.
• If I work hard and spend time on it, I can handle this course.
• I really feel learning things in this class. Get credit.
• I need to graduate! J-K [Just kidding], I really wanted to learn Java.
• I was told that once I get use to the small differences of how Java compiles and runs code along with looking-up classes, I should start to feel comfortable to just write code. This is what kept me in the class.
• I don't want to drop it. [Smiley face] The class is useful.
• Learning XML and security in networking. However, I really have heard time to implement the project and I think I will get an F grade in this class, but I often go to class to listen your lecture and discover the new things from you.
• I'm really attracted by the beauty of Java. I really like its networking oriented features.
• I stay in this course because I need to learn Java for taking compiler classes next term so that I can graduate this summer.
• Projects were fun and interesting. Plus, I need to graduate someday :)
• I wanted to learn Java for the compilers class. It might also be helpful in the future when looking for a job.
• I felt that as most of the points are based on projects and I had enough time to do the project. I did OK in them. So I never felt difficult to drop this course.
• The topics were interesting. The professor made the class fun, and interesting. And I really need to learn Java to be ready for compilers.
• 1. Java programming is interesting, I can do some project very easily when compare to other programming language.
• I'm really interested in Java program. And also, you're a very good instructor.
• It was very interesting (learning Java that is) and gave on yet another take on Object Oriented Programming, as well as many other CS topics, without being too difficult or too much work (i.e. it was well paced).
• Java is Really fun. The projects are reasonable. The instructor has good knowledge about Java (and a sense of humor too).
• Programming in Java is fun!
• Learning more stuff.
• Why would I not stay? I paid for the friggin thing!


Still not convinced? There are plenty more comments.