Syllabus for CS6204

CS 6204 (3 credits, index 0677): Java and the World-Wide Web

Overview

This course presents current and emerging technologies for the World-Wide Web. The emphasis is on understanding the operation of the World-Wide Web at many different levels including its protocols, programming languages, history and future. The course is intended to convey both underlying principles and practical, hands-on work. Students will learn how to write Java applets, how to set up and maintain a World Wide Web site, and how present and future versions of the Web's HTTP protocol works.

Instructors

Prof. Marc Abrams (abrams@vt.edu) works on configuring caching proxy servers to reduce delays in fetching Web documents, automatic generation of Java interfaces, making java applets collaborative, and characterization of how people use the Web. Prof. Dennis Kafura (kafura@cs.vt.edu) brings to the course expertise in distributed systems, protocols, Web tool development, and object-oriented programming. Both instructors are Associate Professors in Computer Science at Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus.

Prerequisites

CS6204 is fairly self-contained; the only formal background required is a knowledge of the C or C++ programming language for the Java portion of the course. In addition a knowledge of how to use a Web browser and familiarity with general use of either Windows 95, Windows NT, or UNIX is needed.

Computer Resources

CS6204 students must have access to a computer that can run a World-Wide Web browser, with Internet access via a modem or other network connection.

For the student's convenience, the computer should also run the Java Development Environment (JDK). The JDK is available free for SPARC Solaris, Windows NT/95 and for Apple Macintosh, and can be downloaded from the Web.

However, accounts on a Sun Solaris computer at the Blacksburg campus will be provided to CS6204 students. Those accounts are typically used for the Web server installation assignment, for the Web page design assignment, and for writing Java applets for users of computers that cannot run the Java Development Environment.

Evaluation Method

Students will be asked to complete projects and homework assignments. There will be no exams in the course.

A grade is assigned simply on the basis of how many of the assignments a student completes. A student that completes all assignments with no obvious deficiency will receive an A.

Texts

• Horstmann Cornell, Core Java, Sunsoft Press, 1996, ISBN 0-13-565755-5.
• James E. Powell, HTML Plus!, Wadsworth, 1997, ISBN 0-534-5126-2.
• Lincoln D. Stein, How to Set Up and Maintain a World Wide Web Site -- The Guide for Information Providers, Addison Wesley, second edition, 1997, ISBN 0-201-63462-7.

Class Meeting Schedule

The course will be offered on the Saturdays listed below. Half of the course meetings will be taught in on-site meetings, and the rest through two-way video conferencing (VTEL).

Each meeting will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in room 113, then a one hour lunch break, then 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Return to CS6204 home page.

Last modified on 24 April 1997.

Send comments to abrams@vt.edu.
[This is http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~jwww/spring.97/syllabus.html.]