Detailed instructions for downloading, installing, and configuring the software used in Suffield Academy's Computer Science courses.

Ant is an automated build tool written in (and for) Java. Our version also includes the JUnit testing framework for unit testing.

This file contains code to make the Emacs editor a little more friendly for beginners. You should install it at ~/.emacs so Emacs finds it automatically. You can do this by running the following command (all on one line):
curl -o ~/.emacs http://web.suffieldacademy.org/cs/software/dot.emacs

The GridWorld Case Study (GWCS) project for the AP exam.

Complete JavaDoc documentation for the ObjectDraw Java Library. We use the library to create graphical programs quickly and easily. If you need to know more about a particular class, you'll need to consult this documentation. Note that you only need to download this if you want a copy on your personal computer. You can always access the documentation online in our readings section.

Smultron is an open-source text editor written for Mac OS X. It includes many programmer-friendly features (such as syntax highlighting, function listing, and indenting). Recommended for first-time programmers who don't have a preferred editor.

Emacs is an editor that comes built-in on your Mac (just open the terminal and type "emacs"). AquaEmacs is a slightly friendlier version that has a GUI (instead of just the terminal), and a few Mac-isms that make it easier to use. If you're curious about Emacs, but don't want to try the pure command-line version, you may want to give this a shot.

jEdit is a programmers editor that is written in Java. It is quite complete, and features integration with other tools used to build software. Might be a little bit of overkill for beginners, however.

TextWrangler is the "lite" version of the powerful BBEdit application for Mac OS X. It costs nothing, and has all the basic features (such as syntax highlighting) that students need to edit program files.

SubEthaEdit is a lightweight graphical editor for Mac OS X. It has the basic features you need in a programmer's editor (such as syntax highlighting). It also contains some unique features, such as online collaboration with other users. More recent versions are available from the main website, but are not free for non-commercial use (that is, you have to pay for it).