Question 0: What is this FAQ all  about?

Answer 0: This FAQ is all about providing answers to questions posed by CSC 2400 students. Students who email questions to the instructor will have their questions answered here in the form of text, graphics or other multimedia such as PowerPoint slides or streaming video.

Question 1: What is the URL for our class web site?

Answer 1: For Fall 2008, the web site is at http://www.csc.villanova.edu/~tway/courses/csc2400/f2008.

Question 2: What is the ISBN number for our textbook?

Answer 2: ISBN 0-13-034074.

Question 3: Student needs clarification regarding logging in remotely.

Answer 3:

> I am having some trouble with the first assignment, gaining access to 
> the UNIX machines.  I have contacted UNIT and they have no idea why I
> would ever need to gain access this way and have never been asked to
> help someone do so before.

This is the CS department system, definitely not UNIT. Refer to the
email from Prof. Nadi regarding logging in for more details.

> They suggested I go in through gateway.villanova.edu or contact you.

When first trying to connect, here are two things to try:

1) Open up a command prompt (in Windows, I assume) which is usually
   found under Start->Programs->Accessories, then type
   "telnet csgate.csc.villanova.edu". If things work right, you'll
   be prompted for your username and password.  From there you are in.
   To exit just type "exit" and hit Enter.

2) If that doesn't work, try first running the Villanova gateway
   at http://gateway.villanova.edu. You'll need to enter your
   Villanova username and password (not the CS ones), which will
   open up a secure channel from your computer to Villanova. THEN,
   try step 1 again.

If neither of these work, email me back and I'll suggest
some more things to try.

Question 4: What application should I use when logging in remotely?

Answer 4: Using "telnet" which is available on every PC is the simplest. For better security, though, used an SSH ("secure shell") client, such as the one you can download and install from the CS department website here. Look for the "Secure Shell Version 2 (ssh2)" link.

Question 5: I have some questions about the format of the weekly quiz.

Answer 5:

> Typically, how many questions can we expect on a quiz? 

1 question.

> How many points is each question usually worth?

10 points.

> Is it safe to assume the quiz will focus on questions assigned as homework?

Yes. Further, the quiz question will be posted on the
class Schedule page at least a couple days in advance.

> May we use our books/notes?

Yes. You may use any personal resources, books, notes,
just not your fellow students.

> Is the quiz online or good ole' pen and paper?

Pen and paper. I will provide half-sheets of paper
for this very purpose (often they will be recycled
having been rescued from the trash heap).

> Is the format Multiple Choice or?

It'll normally be of the form "List the two most important
concepts in Chapter 2."

Question 6: What are the steps to compiling and running Workshop 1, the data representation project?

Answer 6: Luckily, once you have all the files (see the handout), the process is easy! Here are the steps:

1. Edit bits.c (some use "pico bits.c") to make some change

2. Save the revised bits.c

3. At the command line type "make". This recompiles your program.

4. At the command line type "btest". This runs your program.

5. Observe the output.

6. Repeat.

Rule of thumb: when in doubt, type "make" so you are always certain that when you run "btest" it is the very latest version of your code.

Question n: This is a question?

Answer n: This is an answer.

This is some blank space. Wow.

Last updated: 09/10/2008