New Concepts to be applied for the assignment

• Defining and calling a single function that takes parameters and returns a value.
• If you want credit for your work: Do not use any pre-created functions/methods unless you are given explicit permission to do so. [Generic list of allowable pre-created code in the form of python libraries]

Only new concepts that need to be applied in the assignment are listed, concepts previously applied in other assignments may need to used in the implementation of your solution.

Functional assignment requirements

Up to this point you have only been using functions that have already been defined with the Python programming language such as: print() and input(). For this assignment you will be defining  (writing the body) a new function called smaller(). JT's hint: knowing your terminology is always important before starting an assignment. It is imperative that you complete this prerequisite work for this assignment otherwise you will have trouble understanding the following requirements.

• To get credit for this assignment you must use the starting code provided in file [miniAssignment3A.py]
• Define the header for function smaller() that takes as its arguments two parameters which are assumed to be integer values although the type is not specified in the header. (Worth 1.0 GPA)
• Inside the body of the function:
  •  It will determine which of the arguments is smaller (this feature must be correct in order to get credit for the remaining features that follow). (Worth 1.5 GPA)
  • The smaller value will be returned (either argument can returned if both are equal). This feature must be correct in order to get credit for the remaining features that follow. (Worth 0.5 GPA)
• Write the call to function smaller at the specified location in the body of the start() function. The function return value will be stored in num3 (this feature must be correct to get credit for the following feature). (Worth 0.4 GPA)
• Display the smaller number at the specified location in the start() function along with the original two numbers. (Worth 0.6 GPA)

The program already prompts the user for the two numbers, function smaller must take as arguments the two numbers entered by the user and determine which of these values is smaller.

Non -functional assignment requirements (style and documentation).

You should still practice applying good style in your solution as well as writing documentation. Unlike the full assignments you will be just graded on program functionality for the mini-assignments.

• Naming conventions: You should employ good naming conventions for identifiers (variables and constants).
• Documentation: contact information (your name, student identification number and tutorial number). This should be specified in the header of the program (very top in the form of Python documentation). In addition your documentation should specify:
  • What does the program do.
  • What are it's limitations e.g. the program doesn't perform type checking (crashes when non-numeric information is entered)
  • The version number of the program (dates are acceptable)
• Named constants should be used as appropriate.
• The program code should have appropriate white space (specified in the "Intro to programming lecture") and alignment (specified throughout the lecture notes)
• Finally your program should follow the 5 rules of thumb for designing software (Jakob Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics) which were included at the notes on 'Repetition' e.g. prompts to the user to enter the required information should be clear to the user as to what is required, good error messages should be provided for erroneous input etc.

Marking and grading

• What to submit: In a typical semester submitted programs must run on the computer science network running Python 3.x. If you write you code in the lab and work remotely using a remote login program such as Putty or SSH then you should be okay (assuming you don't login to a non-Linux computer). If you choose to install Python on your own computer then it is your responsibility to ensure that your program will run properly here. Remote learning version: If it won't run using Python 3.x on any computer then it won't be awarded credit. It's up to you if you wish use the graphical program builder IDLE (or another development environment rather than a simple text editor) to write/run your programs but if you do you submit your program in the form of text ".py" file or files.
• Late assignments or components of assignments: will not be accepted for marking without approval for an extension beforehand. Alternate submission mechanisms (non exhaustive list of examples: email, uploads to cloud-based systems such as Google drive, time-stamps, TA memories) cannot be used as alternatives if you have forgotten to submit work or otherwise have not properly submitted into D2L. Only files submitted into D2L by the due date is what will be marked, everything else will be awarded no credit. The final cut off date for mini-assignments is the due date because no late submissions are allowed for these smaller programs.
• Extensions may be granted for reasonable cases by the course instructor with the receipt of the appropriate documentation (e.g., a sworn declaration with a commissioner of oaths). Typical examples of reasonable cases for an extension include: illness or a death in the family. Example cases where extensions will not be granted include situations that are typical of student life: having multiple due dates, work commitments etc. Tutorial instructors (TAs) will not be able to provide extension on their own and must receive permission from the course instructor first. If you request an extension from me let me know the name of your tutorial instructor and the tutorial number because the markers won't accept late submissions without directly getting an email from me.
• How you will be graded for full assignments. Similar to many mini-assignments the grading is simple and doesn't require a separate spreadsheet. Instead you can look in D2L Dropbox under the appropriate sub-link you can see the numeric grade point for your submission along with any comments that the marker may have added.
• Questions about grading afterward: Assignments will be marked by your tutorial instructor (the "Teaching Assistant" or "TA") for your tutorial section. When you have questions about marking this is the first person that you should be directing your questions towards. If you still have question after you have talked to your TA, then you can talk to your course (lecture) instructor but please indicate in your email that you first contacted your TA.

Method of submission:

You are to submit your assignment using D2L [help link]. Make sure that you [check the contents of your submitted files] (e.g., is the file okay or was it corrupted, is it the correct version etc.). It's your responsibility to do this! (Make sure that you submit your assignment with enough time before it comes due for you to do a check). If don't check and there were problems with the submission then you should not expect that you can "learn your lesson" and simply resubmit.

D2L configuration for this course

• Multiple submissions are allowed for this assignment (all versions are kept in D2L): You can (and really should) submit work as many times as you wish before the due date. However only the latest version of all the files is what will be marked, everything else will be ignored (because it is not fair to your marker to sort through multiple versions of your files).

• Do not use compression utilities (such as zip) or archiving utilities (such as tar) otherwise your submission may not be marked. The space savings in D2L is not worth the extra time required by the marker to process each submission.

Mini-assignments cannot be submitted late for credit

• Please make sure you submitted it properly before the deadline (the onus is on you to do this).

• If you don't do this:

  • D2L will "cut you off" after the deadline (and you get zero credit).

• Don't try to email to the marker or myself after the deadline because bypassing requirements like this won’t allow you to be awarded credit.

Collaboration:

Assignments must reflect individual work; group work is not allowed in this class nor can you copy the work of others. Some "do nots" for your solution: don't publically post it, don't email it out, don't show it to other students.  For more detailed information as to what constitutes academic misconduct (i.e., cheating) for this course please read the following [link].

Use of pre-created Python libraries:

Unless otherwise told you are to write the code yourself and not use any pre-created functions (or methods). For most assignments the usual acceptable functions include: print(), input() and the 'conversion' functions such as int(), float(), str(). Look at the particular assignment description for a list of other functions/methods that you are allowed to use and still get credit in an assignment submission. If it's not listed then you should assume that you won't be able use the function and still be awarded credit.