CS 206 Assignment Submission Instructions


Step 1.) Add Source Code Header Comments

Please add the following lines to the top of your source code files, with the appropriate assignment number, name, email address and date of submission.

/*****************************************
 * Assignment ##
 * Name:         your name
 * E-mail:       your school e-mail
 * Course:       CS 206 - Section ##
 * Submitted:    The date your submitted the assignment
 * 
 * A description of the file contents.
***********************************************/


Step 2.)  Prepare the submission directory

Ensure that all files needed to run your project are located underneath a directory entitled LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName (for example, my submission for the first assignment would be located in TaoJia-Assignment1).  The easiest way to do this is simply to rename the directory containing your project, provided that it is only your project in this directory.  If your project uses packages (Assignment 3 and later), make certain that all source files are in the appropriate package directories.

Compile your project from within this directory.  Run your project making certain that it works.  If it doesn't work for you, it won't work for me when grading.

Please be certain that your submission includes all source files, all compiled class files, and (if necessary) a README txt file that provides instructions for running your program.


Step 3.)  Package your submission

Create either a .zip or a .tar archive of the directory LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.  Make certain that you compress the entire directory, not just the files within the directory.

Here are basic instructions for creating the archive:

Linux: 

  1. From the terminal, make certain that you're working in the directory that contains your submission directory.  For example, if my submission was in ~/cs206/TaoJia-Assignment1/, I should be working in ~/cs206/.  Use the cd command to move to the correct directory.  When you type pwd, it will display your current location.
  2. Type the following command to create the tar archive:  tar -cvf LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.tar LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName
  3. Now, you should have a new file called LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.tar that is the tar archive of your project.  This is the file you will submit.

Mac OS X:

  1. Using Finder, locate your LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName directory.
  2. Right-click on the directory name and choose "Compress LastnameFirstname-AssigmentName"
  3. You will see a new file called LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.zip.  This is the file you will submit.

Windows:

  1. Download and install Winzip, or another program designed to create Zip or Tar archives.
  2. Create a new archive, and add the LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName directory to the archive.
  3. Save your archive as either LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.zip or LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.tar, depending on whether you are creating a Zip or Tar archive.  This is the file you will submit.


Step 4.)  Upload your submission to Dropbox

If you are working on Linux, use ONLY the web interface to Dropbox.  Be very careful not to use the Linux Dropbox client -- it contains bugs that drop shared folders without warning, which means that I may not receive your submission even if you think you uploaded it.

Before your first assignment is due, you will receive an email invitation to join the Dropbox folder sharing service. To register with Dropbox, follow these instructions.

After the account is created, you may choose to download the Dropbox client program and install it on your computer, although this is not necessary. If you install Dropbox on your computer, a folder will be created named "My Dropbox," and in it will be a folder with your name that is shared. This is where you will copy your files and assignment folders for submission and grading. Make sure that Dropbox finishes copying all of your files.

Upload using the Mac or Windows Dropbox Client (NEVER USE THE LINUX DROPBOX CLIENT):
  1. From the desktop dropbox icon: open the My Dropbox and then the folder with your name on it that I've shared with you via e-mail.
  2. Select and copy your submission LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.zip or LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.tar into this folder. Dropbox will automatically sync the new submission with the shared folder.
  3. Once you submit your files, do not touch them after the due date and time until you receive your grade.  This will ensure that the timestamp reflects the accurate submission time and your assignment is considered on-time.
Upload using the Dropbox Website (The safe way to submit on Linux):
  1. From any web browser, sign in to dropbox.com
  2. Choose the shared course folder with your name on it, and click the upload button.
  3. Select your submission LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.zip or LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName.tar file, and upload it into the shared folder.


Step 5.)  Verify your submission

I recommend verifying your submission using the dropbox.com website, since this will ensure it was uploaded correctly.
  1. On the dropbox.com website, make sure that your shared Dropbox folder is still shared with me.
  2. If everything was done correctly, your shared Dropbox folder should contain the zip or tar file you submitted.  Download this submission file to your computer and decompress it.
  3. The archive should have decompressed into a single directory called LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName that contains all of your source and compiled class files for the project.  Verify this.
  4. Go into the LastnameFirstname-AssignmentName directory and try running your assignment.  Make sure it works.  If you included a README file, use the instructions you wrote in it to test that they work.