Class Resources.
A variety of downloads are provided here for use by the class. Please note that external links to software are not guaranteed to not affect your computer in a negative way if installed or used improperly. As always, please be extremely cautious with software that you obtain over the Internet, and be sure to read all instructions completely before clicking incessantly.
Java Developer Kit.
The latest version of the Java Developer Kit (JDK) can be downloaded
here. It is
available for all platforms including Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. You
will need the JDK and its components to compile and run Java
applications and applets on your computer.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
There are a number of Integrated Development Environments (IDE's)
available for software development today, some free, some not. In class,
we will make use of several, and you are free to choose which one you
wish to use:
BlueJ is a visually-rich interactive environment for developing Java apps. It was developed specifically for the purpose of teaching object orientation in Java, and is free of cost. This is the primary IDE we will use in our class.
Eclipse is a free, open-source development suite. It is available not only for Java (though there is a special Java edition that you should download), but also for C/C++ and a variety of other programming languages. It is very powerful and has many features that will come in handy should you continue your activities in software development.
JCreator comes with our textbook, and while it is not free, it is very simple and easy to use for the most part, albeit with far too many irrelevant option tabs and customization features.
Other Useful Software.
ArgoUML is an open source UML
(Unified Modeling Language) tool that supports standard 1.4 diagrams.
This program is used in the advanced-level courses to support activities
in software design.
College Board AP Resources
The College Board offers the following materials for AP Computer
Science:
AP Computer Science A Exam Web Page for Students
AP Computer Science Course Description [PDF-Revised 09/2008]
Sample Exam Free Response Questions
.