This module is comprised of a set of tutorials and guides that will help you get setup with the tools used in the course, create your CCIS account, install Java, Eclipse, Git, and familiarize yourself with GitHub.

  1. Create your CCIS account and know your CCIS login.
  2. Compile and run a simple Java Program.
  3. Install and setup your Eclipse environment.
  4. Login to your CCIS Github account using your CCIS login.
  5. Create an empty repository in your CCIS Github account.
  6. Use Git to create and store a file in a repository in your CCIS Github account.
  7. Register with the Course's Piazza forum.
  8. Post a message on the Course's Piazza forum.

For the purposes of this class you will need to have a valid CCIS account. Please visit CCIS Account Creation and follow the instructions there in order to create your CCIS account.

Your CCIS account will provide you access to all student-available CCIS resources. See the CCIS Howto pages for information on how to access your CCIS email, create personal web pages, and the other resources available to you from the department.

We will be using Java for this class. Please download the latest Java Development Kit (JDK) release for your platform. Once you download the appropriate release, initiate the install and follow the installation instructions (Windows Tutorial).

Once you have Java installed, ensure that you can execute the following commands on your machine (either using cmd on windows or your platforms terminal application)

  1. java -version. Should reply with something similar to the following
    java version "1.8.0_60-ea"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_60-ea-b07)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.60-b07, mixed mode)
  2. javac -version. Should reply with something similar to the following 
    javac 1.8.0_60-ea

Even though the staff will be using the Eclipse IDE you are not required to install Eclipse. You can install any IDE of your choice.

Download and install the latest stable release of the Eclipse IDE for your platform. Once you have installed Eclipse to your machine, have a look at the Eclipse Video Tutorials. Even though the video tutorials use an older version of Eclipse the information is still applicable.

We will be using Piazza for all email communication and online discussion. Visit the class's Piazza page and register.

Once you have registered on Piazza send a private message to the course staff and include the following information

  1. Your full name as it appears on your transcript.
  2. Your CCIS login name.
  3. Your prefered email address. Make sure your provide an email address that you check regularly.

Be warned, if you do not send the staff this information we will not be able to confugure your account for homework assignments.

The department runs a local version of GitHub. When you created your CCIS account, you also received an acccount on the CCIS GitHub server. Use your CCIS login and password to access the CCIS GitHub Server.

We will be using Git throughout the course to both submit homework assignments and to keep track of your work. Please make sure you download and install Git for your machines:

Git is a large piece of software and there are plenty of online resources about Git that you can read in order to learn Git in detail. For the purposes of this class we will use a subset of Git's features.

For a nice introduction to Git and dealing with Git conflicts, read Prof. Wand's slides on Introduction to Git and Dealing with Conflicts in Git. If you would like to learn more on Git you can read the the Git Book, available for free online.