Transcript CIS 15 - Advanced Programming Techniques Using C Professor Yedidyah Langsam

CIS 15 - Advanced Programming
Techniques Using C
Professor Yedidyah Langsam
525NE
718-951-4161
[email protected]
icq: 10661149
AOL IM: BCCISProf
http://eilat.sci.brooklyn.cuny.edu
Required Texts



C Programming: A Modern Approach, King,
K. N., W. W. Norton & Co., 1996
Learning the UNIX Operating System, 4th
ed., Peek, J., et. al., O’Reilly, 1998
Data Structures Using C and C++, 2nd ed.,
Langsam, Y., et. al., Prentice-Hall, 1996
Supplementary Texts



The C Programming Language, 2nd ed.,
Kernighan, B. and Ritchie, D., PrenticeHall, 1988
Fun with Unix, Landy, S., Brooklyn College
Press
CIS 15 Class Notes, Langsam, Y.
Class Requirements



Midterm
Final
Programs (5-6)
30%
40%
30%
5 point penalty for each class day an
assignment is late.
Programs are to be an individual
effort.
Structured Programming Rules - 1

Code one statement per line

Use meaningful variables

Divide each program into functions

Each function should perform a
single task
Structured Programming Rules - 2




Use proper documentation
Each function must begin with a
comment
Avoid trivial comments - code should
read like English
Avoid clever code
Structured Programming Rules - 3



Use proper & consistent indentation
(3-5 spaces)
For functions - place { and } on
separate lines
For statements - place { on the same
line as the statement and line up the
} with the keyword
Structured Programming Rules - 4



Comment every }
Skip lines for clarity - but do not
double space
Separate all functions
Structured Programming Rules - 5


Use lowercase for all variables and
keywords
Use uppercase for all #defined
symbolic constants
Documentation - 1
Every program must begin with
complete documentation

Identification
–
–
–
–
–
Name
Instructor
Program number
Date submitted
Class & Section
Documentation - 2

Statement of Problem

Input & Output requirements

Algorithms used

Assumptions used and conditions
under which program will fail
Characteristics of C - 1

C is standardized (ANSI C)

C is ubiquitous

C is a low-level language

C is a small language

C is a permissive language
Characteristics of C - 2

Strengths
– Efficiency
– Portability
– Power
– Flexibility
– Standard Library
– Integration with UNIX
Characteristics of C - 3

Weaknesses
– C programs can be error prone
– C programs can be difficult to
understand
– C programs can be difficult to modify
Effective Use of C - 1

Learn how to avoid C pitfalls

Use software tools to make
programs more reliable (debuggers,
lint, etc.)

Take advantage of existing code
libraries
Effective Use of C - 2

Adopt a sensible and consistent set
of coding conventions

Avoid “tricks” and overly complex
code

Use ANSI C

Avoid non-portable features