CS211: Course Management System

What and where is CMS?

• CMS (Course Management System) is the Department of Computer Science's software for helping courses manage submission of assignments, coordinate grading, and post grades and other related material.
• To access the system, click on the CMS link to the left. We strongly recommend that you write down its URL, http://cms.csuglab.cornell.edu/, in case this document becomes inaccessible.
• Before submitting any work, you must read the instructions below!

Required format for assignments

Unless otherwise posted, we require the following specifications to expedite grading:

• You must include all Java programs and solution write-ups. This means that you include every file with a .java extension along with other work we might have assigned. You must include all Java programs, including those that we have supplied!
• You must submit code that at compiles, even if you have trouble getting it to run properly. We will be recompiling all of your code and running it.
• All files must have an extension that relates to its contents. For example, Java=.java; MATLAB=.m; Text=.txt ; PDF=.pdf;Zip=.zip.
• Do not include package declarations for non-API files/classes, like import cs1.Keyboard; and package cs1;.
• Do not include extraneous files: .class files, files that your IDE produces, or any other file that does not pertain to the assignment. You may include a readme.txt file, as explained below.
• Write each class in a separate file. The name of the class must match the name of the file.
• Name your class with the primary main method with the name that the assignment requires, if there is such a requirement.
• Do not use labeled breaks regardless of where you see them in lecture.
• Do not use currency symbols in your variable names. Yes, Java allows them, but we don't!
• Do not include extraneous text in your programs, like debugging statements and superfluous comments. Also, if you answer discussion questions inside a program, you must comment out the text, because we are running all of your code.
• Do not use "fancy" formatting in discussion questions. Use ASCII text format (see link to learn about writing resumes, too). If you absolutely must format your discussion answers, print your work to PostScript or PDF.
• You may include a brief readme.txt if there special features or issues about your code that you need to communicate to the grading staff.
• Place a comment block at the top of each file that you have created. The block must give the assignment number, due date, and creator(s) name(s), Net-ID(s), and CUID(s). For example,
  
  /**********************************
* Assignment #0: Example format
* Date: 1/1/1111
*
* Tad Morose: tm0, 123456
* Luca Tureilli: lc0, 654321
**********************************/

How to access the system

• You must submit a CS211 Waiver Form to the course administrator ASAP so that you can be entered into the CMS database. If you are not entered, not only can you not see your grades, but you cannot submit anything! Also, make sure that you know your Cornell Net-ID and password.
• CMS will always authenticate the user for security. Generally, we recommend that you run SideCar before accessing CMS. However, you may use just Kerberos, which means that you will need to enter your Net-ID.
• To access CS211 on CMS, click on the CMS link on the left or go to http://cms.csuglab.cornell.edu/. After accessing CMS, select CS211.

How to submit something on CMS

Zip all of your work, even if it is only one file. If you do not zip your work, the system prevents us from accessing the file.

How to do everything else on CMS

Refer to the Help links, which are accessible in CMS after you log in. The most important thing to note is that to form a group, you need all people to log onto the system well before the due date!