Description

In this lab, you will practice the process of problem solving and coding when you may not have all of the details of the problem. For some, this will seem easy. For others, there will be some challenge to grasp everything within the lab time.

Working independently or in groups of two students, you will write code to implement a Map data structure in Java.

A Map is a structure that stores key-value pairs, meaning that you want to store and retrieve pairs of data. The first bit of data is called the key. The second bit of data is called the value. Given the key, you can retrieve the value associated with that key. Keys are unique to the Map (meaning that you can’t have two entries with the same key) while values are not unique (meaning that you can have two keys that map to the same value).

In addition to a constructor, you should implement the methods get and put for your Map.

In your implementation, you cannot use any of the existing Java Map classes.

Preparation

Ensure that you have your Integrated Development Editor (IDE) for Java installed.

Resources

None required.

Procedure

Set up

None.

Lab steps

1. Ensure that you and your partner agree on an understanding of the problem.
2. List the elements of the problem statement that are not defined sufficiently-well to begin an implementation.
3. Select a resolution for the missing parts of step 2.
4. Decide on the approach you will use to implement the methods

• How you will store the data • What difficulties you will expect

5. Implement your solution.

Analysis

Identify how you will know that your implementation is working.

Reporting

1. In one file, list
   • Your team members
   • A list of items from the description that needed clarification
   • Your decisions on the items that need clarification
   • How you showed that your work (so far) is working
2. In that same file, briefly describe either
   • How you would approach this problem differently if you had to start new; or
   • What you did well in developing the implementation that you could use as an approach to implementing another problem.
3. Generate a PDF from the document.
4. Submit the PDF and your Java files in Brightspace in the Lab/Lab 1 section of the course page in Brightspace.

Note: Only one member of the group needs to submit the report.

Assessment

The assessment will be on a letter grade and will reflect how well you are demonstrating and executing on problem solving techniques that could be used in other situations. I am more concerned with your thinking about how to get a solution than on the code being complete solution.

 

Letter grade	Items           that needed clarification	Decisions on items for clarification	Implementation	Demonstration of work so far	Looking forward
A (Excellent)	Have                        thought through all the aspects       of                        the problem .	Resolution for unclear items are well thoughtout based on future direction of the work	The map implementation is complete and well-done. Well documented and easy to build on later. Guards against input validation problems.	There is a definite plan on how to show that the code works. All the                 cases                        are covered.	Have a strategy that will carry forward to other problems.
B (Good)	List               of                        items is                        relatively complete.	Reasonable conclusions made about each unclear item, along with signs of thinking through the conclusions.	The       map       im- plementation is complete and has all the relevant functionality working.	There is some notion of what’s needed to show the code is working. May not be fully implemented here.	Have                        identified what                        worked or should have worked      in                        this problem.
C (Satisfactory)	There          are enough       key items                        identified to             get                        started, but              more                        will arise             as                        you proceed.	There is a consistent set of conclusions made for the items.	General framework of the implementation is in place and the major components are done.	Has a notion of using testing on the code. Incomplete set of tests.	Show an awareness that some things                        might make            it                        easier or harder, but may not be able to identify them clearly.
D (Marginal Pass)	Approach seems to be to find the items as you go .	There          is                        some resolution to the items,          though some may	At least one of the methods is in place and on track to be working.	Provide some argument with some basis on why the code is working. Nothing formal or complete.	Minimal awareness that the strategy by which we approach a problem can make a difference on the solution.
F (Inadequate)	No discussion on items to clarify.	Lack of clarity on the resolution of the items.	Little code is done and/or is not in a state to work.	Little convincing argument beyond an assertion that the code works.	Little awareness of what can make the problem solving process go well.