How to run a program at the school or from home

Software

The C compiler that is available at the school is part of Microsoft Visual C++.

The labs that have Microsoft Visual C++ software are

• PC413
• PC411
• PC322
• BA150
• The JCCL (ECS241)

There may be other labs that have this software.

You do not have to work on your programs at school if you have a C compiler at home. You do not need to use  Microsoft Visual C++. However, if you use some other software, then it is your responsibility to make any modifications to your source code before you hand it in so that it will run in Microsoft Visual C++.

Creating a new project

If you follow my suggestion in Saving Source Files below, then you will need to create a new project each time you want to work on your project.

To start a new project in Microsoft Visual C++,

• Select File from the menu
• Select New from the pop-up menu
• Select the Project tab
• Select Win32 Console Application
• Change the contents of the location box
  • In school labs other than the JCCL (ECS241): accept whatever is the default value for the Location text box. However, write it down so you know where your files are. Do not leave your files on the computer when you are done, as someone could copy your homework. If homework assignments are copied, then both will be given a zero. It is your responsibility to be sure that no one has the chance to copy your files. So, be sure that you follow the instructions about Saving Source Files below.
  • In the JCCL: change the Location text box to U:\.
  • From home: you may choose any directory for the Location.
• Fill in the name of the project in the Project text box
• Click the OK button

Opening a previous project

If you are working at home or in the JCCL, then you can use the same project workspace over and over again.

• Select File menu
• Select Recent Workspaces
• Select the name of the previous project
• If you are working on the same file as the last time, then there is nothing else to do. If you want to use this workspace to start a new project then follow these steps.
  • In the left panel, click the tab for File View
  • Select the name of the old file
  • Press the Delete key. The file will still be saved, it is just being deleted from the project.
  • Follow the steps below for adding a file to your workspace.

Adding a file to a new project

Once you have created a project, you will need to add your source file to it. There are two possibilities

1. You are starting a new project, and need to create a new source file.
   • After you have opened or created the project, select Project from the menu
   • Select Add To Project from the pop-up menu
   • Select New from the silde-out menu
   • Select C Source File
   • Fill in the File Name text box
   • Change the Location text box :
     • From school labs other than the JCCL (ECS241): Change the Location text box to the A:\ directory. I recommend that you follow my suggestion described in the Saving Source Files section below.
     • From the JCCL: select the project directory. It will be a subdirectory of the U:\ drive.
     • From home: select the project directory. It could be anywhere on your system.
   • Click the OK button
2. The source file already exists and you want to add it to the project.
   • After you have created the project, select Project from the menu
   • Select Add To Project from the pop-up menu
   • Select Files from the silde-out menu
   • Click the arrow for the drop-down window at the top and select
     • From school labs other than the JCCL (ECS241): A:\
     • From the JCCL: select the previous project directory. It will be a subdirectory of the U:\ drive.
     • From home: select the previous project directory. It could be anywhere on your system.
   • Choose the name of your source file from the list that is displayed
   • Click the OK button

Saving Source Files

I recommend that you always save your source files on the A:\ drive when you are working in a lab at school other than the JCCL.

However, do not save your project files on the A: drive, since there isn't enough storage even for the simplest of C programs.

So, save the project information in teh default location, but save your source files in A:\.

There is another issue at stake here: if you save your source (.c) files in c: drive, then they will be accessible by the next person to use the computer that you vacate. They could copy your code without your knowlege. However, this doesn't exonerate you if your code is copied. Do not leave copies of your source on the C: drive. The safest thing to do is to delete your project file whenever you are vacating a computer

• From the Start menu, select Programs
• Select Windows Explorer
• find the default directory where your project files are located
• select the project directory that you were just working in
• press the Shift-Delete key. This will delete the directory without copying it to the recycle bin.
• answer Yes To All or Yes for any prompts that you get