A0: Using D2L

Due at 4 PM. For assignment due dates see the main grid on the course webpage.

Learning objectives:

1. Viewing/changing the suffix of a file.
2. How to submit assignments using D2L (most students already know how to this but this is an opportunity for those who have never used to D2L to become familiar with it).
3. How to properly check if a submission "was properly submitted" (main learning objective as most students do not do check or do not correctly check). Getting in the habit of properly checking submissions will give you the assurance that your file was okay because what you download should match what your marker downloads.

Although this assignment is not evaluated for credit it's important to complete it (especially the second learning objective) because you won't be able to resubmit your work if there was any problems with the graded full or mini-assignments. (What you submit into D2L by the due time is what will be marked).

Tasks

1. Upload a "dot-py" file (ends in file name extension .py) using D2L. This is python file but for this assignment you don't have to write a python program. The file can contain any information, it can even be empty but it must end in .py.
   1. An easy way to create a file of this type is to use a python editor such as IDLE. Here's a [brief resource] for getting python and starting IDLE in Windows.
   2. How to view (and thus change) file name extensions:
      1. Microsoft created help link
      2. Apple created help link
   3. If you help using D2L here's a UC-IT created D2L tutorial]
2. Verify that the document was properly uploaded (file not corrupt, version correct) by downloading the document from D2L: [Tam created help guide]
3. Modify the original file and upload it again into D2L again.
4. Download the most recent file and verify that the modified version is the one that has been uploaded. To be extra sure of your submission try to do the upload and download check using a separate device. (If you did something wrong like submitting a Windows shortcut file instead of the actual file then you will be able to access the file via the shortcut but your marker will not because the original file only resides on your device if only the shortcut was uploaded).
   • For Windows users: do not 'check' your python program by clicking on the file. This is just results in pop up window appearing and quickly dissappearing.
     • By default when you click on an icon in Windows the operating system runs the program associated with that file type.
     • When you install python on your computer the [default program for .py files is the program 'python'] is to run 'python' on the file i.e. the instructions in the file executes in a new window and then the window closes when the program ends the window closes. [Illustrative video from the programming intro lecture]
     • Instead if you want to check the contents of the file you open it in an editor (IDLE, Notepad, WordPad...in the latter two cases you have indicate that the file type those programs should look for is "all file types" otherwise Notepad only 'looks' for .txt files and WordPad only 'looks' for .rtf files).
5. Future assignments: after a successful upload and after grading is done how to [find your TA marking feedback] after an assignment has been submitted and the marks have been published. [The TA grading deadlines are on the main grid of the course website]