Glendale Community College

CS/IS 135 - PROGRAMMING IN C/C++ - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is CS/IS-135 an online class?

A: Yes. CS/IS-135 is an ONLINE class, which means we will not meet in a classroom or synchronously online (remotely) for live lectures.

Q: Do you have office hours?

A: Yes. I will hold office hours via Zoom every week. Check the Canvas for office hour schedule announcements.

Q: Do I need the textbook listed in the syllabus?

A: Yes. While there is plenty of information on C++ on the Internet, some students like having a textbook to study from. It gives you the following:

• A structure for studying material progressively throughout the class modules.
• I'll be recording video lectures that follow PowerPoint slide notes which are based on the material from the textbook.
• I'll be assigning programming assignments from the textbook to be submitted in HyperGrade. While the text of the assignment will be posted, some students need the examples from the textbook to learn from.

You don't need to have the physical textbook. You can choose the electronic version, or even rent temporarily to save some money.

Q: Which edition textbook do I need?

A: 10th edition is preferred. 9th edition will also do, but some of the material may be outdated or may not match the references used in the class.

Q: Do lecture notes contain the same information as the textbook?

A: No. Lecture notes are used for lecture discussion purposes. To properly study the material you need to have the textbook.

Q: What resources/materials do I need for this class?

A: You will need the following resources:

• The textbook (either 9th or 10th edition will do)
• Access to your GCC email
• Access to GCC Canvas
• Access to HyperGrade
• A computer that can satisfy the requirements of the IDE software (a computer with either one of Linux, Mac, or Windows operating system)
• Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software installed that supports C/C++ development
• Internet access
• Working and reliable Internet browser
• Backups (I recommend having an online and a local backup of your work at all times). An online backup could be on Dropbox or Google drive. A local backup could be on an external disk or USB drive.

Q: What software do I need for this class?

A: You will need the following on your computer:

• Working and reliable Internet browser
• Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software installed that supports C/C++ development

Q: What IDE should I use?

A: You can use any IDE that you like or you're familiar with. The IDE doesn’t really matter for compatibility. Any IDE will do.
    When submitting your assignment, you will only be submitting the source code to HyperGrade. It doesn’t matter which IDE you used to create the project.
    That being said, you can use Visual Studio Code (VSCode) (most popular one), which works on all platforms: Windows, MacOS, Linux.
    I personally use JetBrains CLion (you might notice it on some of the lecture videos), which is also compatible with those three platforms.
    There are other options too. Just do some research on the Internet.

Q: What is the CSIS-135 course code in HyperGrade?

A: 10935

Q: Do I need to pay for HyperGrade?

A: Yes. HyperGrade is a third party service and has no relationship to GCC, other than that some GCC classes use it for online programming assignments. It is a paid service for students, and as of February 2024 it is $19 per student per class.

Q: What are exam formats?

A: Both midterm and final exams will have two parts. The first part is a multiple choice test in Canvas. The second part is a programming assignment, similar to lab and homework programming assignments, published in HyperGrade. The Canvas exam will be time limited and you will need to complete it on the day of the exam (not earlier and not later). You will also have 24 hours to complete the HyperGrade programming assignment both for midterm and final exams.

Q: I'm not able to find what I'm looking for on Canvas or on HyperGrade. What should I do?

A: Please notify me if something is missing. Also, please be patient, as some of the course content is being developed while the course is in progress.

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