CS 470/670 Artificial Intelligence
Assignments
Fall 2008

For programming assignments, please make sure that you've budgeted enough time for your assignments. It is recommended that you should begin immediately with all the assignments as soon as they are assigned. For each assignments, you can pick any language in the following list:

• Java (recommended)
• Standard C/C++, e.g., GNU C/C++
• Microsoft Visual C++

You may use any standard conferment compiler and/or any development environment you like, such as Eclipse for Java or Visual Studio for MS Visual C++. However, all programming assignments submitted are required to compile under:

• Java JDK 1.5 or later on any platform
  • To install JDK on your computer, please download Sun microsystem's JDK from Java Website, then install it in your computer.
  • For writing a Java application, you can use any text editor such as Pico/Vim/Emacs on Sun OS and GNU/Linux or Notepad on Windows. You can also use IDE such as Eclipse or Netbeans. However, you may need to install the JDK first.
• gcc/g++ 3.3 or later on Sun OS 5.8, GNU/Linux such as Ubuntu, or Microsoft Windows using Cygwin
• CS department provides gcc 3.4.2 in the Unix server, named users.cs.umb.edu. You can use your unix account to access the server using ssh. Please consult this FAQ how to access the Unix server from off-site.
• Most GNU/Linux distributions, i.e., Fedora or Ubuntu, come with the gcc/g++ compilers. However, you may need to install additional packages, such as developer tools, from your installation CD
• If you use Microsoft Windows, you can install Cygwin. Cygwin comes with gcc/g++, but you may need to install additional packages. You can select gcc/g++ packages when you install Cygwin or using Cygwin setup tool to install the packages later.
• Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 (AKA. Microsoft Visual C++ 9.0). However, you CANNOT use any Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) Library. In the other words, you should always create your project as Win32 Console Application project.
  • You can get a free copy of Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Express from the product website at Microsoft.com
  • To create a Win32 Console Application, please follow these steps
    • Start Microsoft Visual C++ 2008, then select menu File -> New -> Project -> Win 32 Console Application
    • Name your project, i.e. Hello, and then click OK
    • The overview dialog will show, click Next
    • The Application Settings dialog will show, select "console application" for Application Type and "empty project" for Additional Options. Then, click Finish.
    • A new project window will be opened, from the menu bar, select Project -> Add New Item -> Visual C++ -> C++ File (.cpp), give a name to the file, then click OK.
    • Write down your code in the opened window, save the file, then debug it using Debug->Start Debugging.

As the tradition of UMB CS Department, you need to include a text file, named README, in your submission. Inside the file, please specify your programming environment, i.e., what is your operating system, programming language, compiler version, or tools that you use for your assignment. So the TA can correctly evaluate your assignment. Also, please provide a short description, i.e., a paragraph or two, about your assignment, for example, what is your approach for the assignment, what are the the problems you have, any suggestion for the assignment is also welcome as well.

It is your responsible to ensure that your programs compile and execute correctly in the appropriate environment. TA will only check your program with appropriate environment. Any problems caused by non-compatible compilers can not be considered grounds for any extensions, or for leniency in grading.

© Wei Ding, 2008, all rights reserved. This document is made available for use by the students of CS 470/670 at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Copying, distribution or other use of this document without express permission of the author is forbidden. You may create links to pages in this web site, but may not copy all or part of the text without permission of the author.