CIS630 Graphical User Interface Programming
Fall, 1996 Dr. Raymond P. Kirsch
Purpose
Windows 95 programming will be studied in this course.
Expert opinions appearing in the literature indicate that there is
a steep learning curve associated with Windows application development.
Many experts claim that it requires at least six full months of
intensive study before you can expect to be competent enough to
develop applications on your own. The purpose of this course is
to get you through the early part of this learning process.
When you complete this course you will have acquired an understanding
of the architecture underlying all Windows programs, you will know
how to delve into existing programs to understand how they work,
and you will have some exposure to developing applications on your own.
According to every expert, the benefit of perseverance with this
material is that you will possess a skill which is highly sought,
a skill which few programmers possess. Good luck!
Topics
Early in the course we will examine Windows 95 application using the
C / SDK approach. We will quickly move to the C++ / Microsoft
Foundation Class (MFC) approach where we will spend most of our time.
The two approaches will be compared and contrasted. We will investigate
what underlies the creation of a window and the interface to the user
via the mouse and keyboard. Single and Multiple Document Interfaces
(SDI and MDI), common controls (e.g., command buttons and edit controls),
dialog boxes, property sheets, timers, menus, tool and status bars,
drawing, resources, and wizards will also be covered. We will delve
into applications based on the Document-View Model, and possibly those
that utilize OLE 2.0. Students are expected to become "domain experts"
in one or more of these areas.
Text & Materials
Prosise, Jeff., (1996). "Programming Windows 95 with MFC." Microsoft
Press. $49.95. You will also need several 3 (" HD data disks
with labels attached to them.
Expectations
Everyone in the class is expected to participate actively and to
contribute to increase the overall knowledge of everyone in the class.
We will be covering roughly ten chapters in the Prosise text at the
rate of about one chapter per week. You should be prepared to discuss
key points, exercises and areas of personal interest at each class meeting.
At the beginning of the semester the instructor will lead most discussions
and activities. Students are expected to become increasingly more active
in leading the discussions. By the end of the semester students will be
responsible for classroom activity. The emphasis in the student-led portion
of the course will be on problem-solving experiences as they relate to Windows
95 programming in MFC.
Grading
20% weekly assignments (due two weeks from release; lateness -50%)
25% intermediate and final reports and code from personal exercises
25% ongoing class participation
10% presentations of your personal exercises
20% Midterm (28 Oct 96) and Final Exam (16 Dec 96) -- both must be taken
A = very significant contributions to increasing the overall knowledge of everyone in the class, B = reasonable and ongoing contributions