View source for Algorithms and Data Structures

This page provides some additional resources that are relevant to my course on Algorithms and Data Structures on my main website. I keep this material here on the wiki to make sure it is current and up-to-date.

== Software Development Environment ==

This guide provides a step-by-step guide to downloading, installing, and using the software required to submit an assignment for the Algorithms and Data Structures course.  This environment is required to ensure that software developed by students can be compiled directly by the course instructor after it has been submitted.

=== Operating System ===

I assume you are running Windows 7.

=== C/C++ Compiler === 

Download the Microsoft Visual C++ Express compiler, version 10.0 (also known as Visual C++ 2010 or MSVC++ 2010).  It is important to use this version; earlier versions are no longer supported by Microsoft and later versions cause problems with some libraries. 

You can download the required compiler from [http://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/download-visual-studio-vs here].

Run the installer and follow the instructions.


'''Problem Alert'''

Some versions of Windows 7 may need the the Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 to be installed.   If you have problems with CMake (see below) this is almost certainly the cause.   To be on the safe side, you can install Service Pack 1 by following the instructions [http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=23691 here].  You can also check to see whether or not you have Service Pack 1 by checking the your version number:  from the Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express menu, select ''Help > About Visual C++ 2010 Express''.  You will see a message on the top right something like the following.

 Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
 Version 10.0.40219.1 RTMRel
 Microsoft .NET Framework
 Version 4.0.30319 RTMRel

The <code>RTMRel</code> means <code>Release To Manufacturing</code>.  If you have Service Pack 1 installed you would see something like the following.

 Microsoft Visual Studio 2010
 Version 10.0.40219.1 SP1Rel
 Microsoft .NET Framework
 Version 4.0.30319 SP1Rel

=== CMake ===

Download CMake binaries from [http://www.cmake.org/download/ here].   


You can opt for either the WIN32 installer or the Windows zip file.  The installer has the advantage that it gives you the option to update your system path automatically (which you should take by clicking the appropriate radio button during the installation process).

=== ADS Repository ===

Copy the full ADS repository to the <code>C:</code>  drive.  
This will be made available the next time the course is being run.

<!-- You can download a zip archive with all the files from  [http://www.vernon.eu/ADS.zip here]. -->

Copy it to <code>C:</code> drive and unzip it so that you have a directory called <code>C:\ADS</code> with a sub-directory structure explained in class (for our purposes here, there will be an   <code>assignments</code>  sub-directory and it will contain an example <code>assignment</code> sub-directory ... later on there will be <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment1</code> and <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment2</code>, and so on).  A <code>C:\ADS\lectures</code>  sub-directory will also be added with the code from the lectures.


The next step is to build a MSVC++ <code>.sln</code> solution file so that you can compile all the ADS executables. To do this, you need to run CMake against the <code>C:ADS\assignment</code> directory (where you will find the main <code>CMakeLists.txt</code> file).

* Launch the CMake GUI from the Windows 7 toolbar.

* In the ''Where is the source code:'' input (browse to)  <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment</code>

* In the ''Where to build the binaries:'' input (browse to) <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment\build</code>

* Select ''File > Delete Cache'' from the top menu (you '''must''' do this the first time in case there is an old invalid configuration in the ADS directory)

* Click ''Configure''

* Select Visual Studio 10 (2010) from the drop-down menu as the generator for the project

* Click ''Finish'' and watch CMake configure your project.  The dialogue box will still highlighted in red so ...

* Click ''Configure'' again and everything should be fine.

* Click ''Generate''  to create the MSVC++ <code>assignment.sln</code> file in <code>C:\ADS\Assignment\build</code>. Do this twice.


Now you are ready to launch MSVC++ and build the ADS assignment executables.  

* Go to the <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment\build</code> directory and open the <code>Assignment.sln</code> file.  This launches Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express.

* Select <code>Release</code> in the ''Solutions Configuration'' box.

* Select ''Build > Build Solution'' from the top menu, (if you don't see this and you see  ''Debug > Build Solution'' instead, it's probably because your IDE is set to basic settings. To change this, select ''Tools > Settings > Expert Settings'').


This will compile and link the programs in the the <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment\src</code> sub-directory and install then in the <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment\bin</code> directory. 


Check to see that the example  <code>Vernon</code> executable is there.  If it is not, then select  'Build > Configuration Manager'' from the menu and make sure the ''INSTALL'' check-box is ticked.   Now rebuild the project again.


You are now ready to run the example <code>Vernon</code>  application that is provided with the ADS release. To do this, double click the< code>Vernon</code> executable in <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment\bin</code>.   Open <code>input.txt</code> file and, after running <code>Vernon</code>, the <code>output.txt</code> file.


To develop your own assignment program, you need to edit the <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment\src\CMakeLists.txt</code> file and uncomment out the line with your name by deleting the <code>#</code> character at the beginning of the line.   Now, copy your source files (<code>.c, .cpp, .h</code>) to the directory with your name, and then run CMake again.  Then re-open the <code>Assignment.sln</code> file. Your files should now be visible and you can now compile your code and install it in the <code>bin</code> directory by selecting ''Build > Build Solution'' from the top menu.  Again, make sure that the ''INSTALL'' check-box is ticked when you select ''Build > Configuration Manager'' from the menu to ensure that your executable is installed in the <code>C:\ADS\assignments\assignment\bin</code> directory.

== Humour ==

[http://xkcd.com/1185/ Some Ineffective Sorts]