How to fail a programming assignment

Abstract

Computer programming courses at university usually require students to undertake assignments which involve the submission of a working program by a particular date. Each semester, for a variety of reasons, some students fail these programming assignments. This paper uses humour to illuminate some of the unsuccessful approaches to programming assignments taken by some of the computing students whom the author has taught.

Proglets for first-year programming in Java

“…[9] Proglets are a way of encouraging students in CS1 courses to begin programming. Because proglets allow students to create programs which do not necessarily meet the software engineering standards mandated for assignment quality code, proglets encourage students to gain competence and confidence without the fear of being branded a failure.…”