CSE 314: Business Programming with File Processing U 4

Text:	COBOL for the 21^st Century, 10^th Ed. bu Stern, Stern & Ley
Prerequisites:	CSE 214 Data Structures for Information Systems or permission of instructor.
Grader:	TBA

Course Description

Business data processing principles and programming: sequential file processing algorithms, sorting, data validation.  COBOL is taught.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course a student should:

• understand and be able to use the following algorithms: single and multiple control breaks; matching, verification, and merge/purge; 1- and 2-dimensional tables
• be able to design and code well-structured COBOL programs and subprograms to process sequential files using any or all of the following program design tools: system flowcharts, hierarchy (structure) charts, flowcharts, pseudocode, print or screen charts
• be able to use a COBOL reference card
• be able to write simple makefiles
• understand the binary, decimal and hexadecimal numbering systems and be able to convert between systems
• be prepared to take additional courses involving sequential and random file processing, and databases
• demonstrate academic integrity in all aspects of the course

Computer Usage

The software for this course includes X-Windows running under UNIX and the AcuCobol COBOL compiler.  The CSE Department has two buildings where you can access the COBOL compiler.  For more detailed information about the labs and hours open, see the following website:

http://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/cs/operations/labs.htm

Lab rooms are located in Baker 310 and Caldwell 112A.   However, many classes are scheduled in these lab rooms that make it difficult for you to stay and work (you will be required to leave should a class be scheduled in these labs.)  Be sure to check the above link for hours that classes are scheduled in these lab rooms (see the "Closed Lab Hours" link).  During the hours the lab is open, a lab consultant will be available to help with any machine problems.   The consultant can also help with problems in using the operating system, the editor, the debugger, and syntax questions.   The type of consultant (unix, java, or NT) is also noted in the above website - you need a unix consultant!   You are not to ask the consultant for help in solving the problem in any way (see academic misconduct below)!

Code of Conduct

The code of student conduct is established to foster and protect the core missions of the university, to foster the scholarly and civic development of the university's students in a safe and secure learning environment, and to protect the people properties and processes that support the university and its missions.   Misconduct includes, dishonest, disruptive or disorderly behavior, as well as academic misconduct.  The code of conduct in its entirety can be found at:  http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/resource_csc.asp

Academic Misconduct

In accordance with Faculty Rule 3335-23-04, all instances of alleged academic misconduct will be reported to the department chairperson and the Committee on Academic Misconduct.  Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, giving or receiving information during an exam, "hard coding" your program, submitting plagiarized work (i.e. someone elses work) for academic requirements.  See the following website for more detail (http://oaa.osu.edu/coam/home.html).  Students are required to do assignments alone.  This allows for some consultation, but the required materials (including algorithm, structure chart and other external documentation, and source code) must be entirely your own work.  Students suspected of copying or working together will be referred to the Committee on Academic Misconduct.

You are responsible for all the material you submit for grading. Your instructor reserves the right to ask you to explain your work, both on exams and labs,including your approach to the program, its logic, use of variable names, etc.  The reason for this policy is that, based on past experience, some students show extraordinary programming skills in completing the labs, but little knowledge on quizzes and tests.  Be sure to do your own work, and plan on putting significant time and effort into this course.

Fairness to Students

I strive to treat students with dignity and fairness and to be particularly sensitive to the diversity that exists within the student body.   In helping students, I hold to the idea that I will only do for one student what I can do for all students.  Also, students with disabilities who request help will be given reasonable accommodation with the assistance of the University Office of Disability Services (292 - 3307).

Grades

I will post scores to my web page so that students can monitor their progress against the rest of the class and check the accuracy of their records. The scores are posted using a  code given by the student. No personal information will be included on this website... just the code and the scores.  If you would prefer that your scores not be posted, please be sure to let me know.

PARTICIPATION – 5% (~50 pts) EXAMS 2 Quizzes - 100 pts (50 pts each) Midterm – 250 pts Final - 300 points  *** You must pass the final in order to pass the class

PROJECT – 30% * 6-7 labs for the quarter * each lab will be worth between 10 and 60 points based on the difficulty level  (20,40,4x50,40)

    Participation

• Participation points will always be announced.  Points are given based on participation which can include attendance, homework, or other duties/questions assigned in class.  No make-up points are allowed.  The 5% amount counted toward your grade constitutes approximately 50 points in the grading scheme, however, more than 50 points will be given per quarter.

    Quizzes

• Quizzes are 30-40 minute tests to keep the students up-to-date on the material and to be sure the lab material is being understood.  A quiz will be announced in class and posted on the announcement page.  Normally, the two quizzes will be given in week 4 and 9.

    Score Policy

• If you have a concern about a grade you receive, you must contact the instructor within a week of when the grade was given back.  After the one week mark, no grade concerns will be considered.

    Make-ups NO MAKE-UP EXAMS ARE GIVEN!

• It is the policy of this course that no make-ups will be allowed for project portions or exams.  It is your responsibility to know when assignments are due and when the exams will be given. There are NO exceptions (not even for extraordinary circumstances as described below).

    Extraordinary Circumstances

• At times there are extraordinary circumstances for missing an assignment. Your instructor will deal with these matters on a case-by-case basis. Paperwork will always be required for verification. Please follow the procedure below:

•  Notify your Instructor of a problem. Notification must be made and confirmed prior to the assignment due date by e-mail, phone or in person. Leaving a voice mail or e-mail is not enough.

• In a case where you are unable to notify the proper person (ex. documented medical/family emergency), notification must be made as soon as possible and paperwork given for verification.
  

Project

The project is a problem that you will be building on for the duration of the quarter. That means you need to finish each part to be able to go on to the next assignment. If you should have problems completing one assignment, you need to contact the instructor immediately for help in finishing the late portion of the project before continuing on to the next assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to seek out this help from the instructor in the appropriate time frame. The due date for the next portion of the project will not be delayed due to lack of progress on a previous part of the project.

Project assignments will be graded in at least the following areas:

• Correct results
• Follows coding standards (style)
• Internal documentation - comments, variable names, etc.
• External documentation - structure chart, print chart, etc.
• Maintainability/Readability
• Complexity

A penalty of 20% will be assessed for the first day the project assignment is late and an additional 30% for the second day the project assignment is late. After two days, the project assignment cannot be turned in for points. Labs are due by midnight on the due date. Also, if you do not use the correct names for your files as listed in the lab handout, a 20% penalty will be deducted from your final score for this lab.

Homework

Homework problems may occasionally be given out. These are for your benefit and solutions will be posted. Only if used toward participation points will these materials be collected prior to the posting of the solutions. The HW questions are given so that you have an idea of what the instructor feels are important points of study.

Grading Scale

Final grades are at the discretion of the lecturer. Be sure to keep all graded material until you have received your final grade in the course.  In past quarters, a ten point scale was the normal letter grade assignment designation.

Final letter grades will be awarded in accordance with University Rule 3335-7-21.  

"A," "A-" The instructors judged the student to have satisfied the stated objectives of the course in an excellent manner. The student's performance was judged to be in this range of high quality based upon a comparison with other students in the course, and/or with students who have taken the course previously, and/or the instructors' expectations relative to the stated objectives of the course, based upon their experience and expertise.

"B+," "B," "B-" The instructors judged the student to have satisfied the stated objectives of the course in an above average manner. The student's performance was judged to be in this range of above average quality based upon a comparison with other students in the course, and/or with students who have taken the course previously, and/or the instructors' personal expectations relative to the stated objectives of the course, based upon their experience and expertise.

"C+," "C," "C-" The instructors judged the student to have satisfied the stated objectives of the course in an average manner. The student's performance was judged to be in this range of average quality based upon a comparison with other students in the course, and/or with students who have taken the course previously, and/or the instructors' personal expectations relative to the stated objectives of the course, based upon their experience and expertise.

"D+," "D" The instructors judged the student to have satisfied the stated objectives of the course in a low but acceptable manner. The student's performance was judged to be in this range of below average but acceptable quality based upon a comparison with other students in the course, and/or with students who have taken the course previously, and/or the instructors' personal expectations relative to the stated objectives of the course, based upon their experience and expertise.

"E" The instructors judged the student not to have satisfied the stated objectives of the course. Credit for a course in which the mark "E" has been received can be obtained only by repeating and passing the course in class (see rules 3335-7-23 to 3335-7-28 of the Administrative Code).

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR GRADE

This is a hard course.  Some students can accept the rules of the language as presented to them, however, have a difficult time applying the concepts.  This challenge is different for each individual student.  Some suggestions for doing your best in this class include:

Come to class.  This is without a doubt the best thing you can do for your grade.  Those students that do exceptionally well in the class (B or above) are always the students that come regularly to class.  I’ll be the first to admit that lectures can be a little dry sometimes, but coming regularly will always improve your grade.

Ask questions in class.  Class is a lot more engaging for you and the lecturer if you are an active participant in the class.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions!  If you don’t understand something, there are at least five other people in the class that don’t understand it either.

Create a study group to help you study and learn the class material.  One of the best questions to ask each other starts with, "What if..."  Make up questions that you think would be good test questions and share them with each other. 

Ask your instructor for help. Please be sure to make an appointment if you feel that the class material is becoming overwhelming.  There are several different ways to explain different concepts.  During an appointment, it is also possible to relate the class material to you on a more personal level that may help you to understand the information better.  Some students may occassionally need  this type of personal attention in order to understand the material – but you need to ask for it.