Wednesday, August 31, 2011

The implementation of the FizzBuzz program took me about 10 minutes to implement.
Most of the time could be attributed to the fact that I had never really used eclipse before, and had a little
trouble seting up the workspace correctly.  Another reason why it took me a little longer was that I had to
remember how to program in Java becuase it has beena while since the last time I programmed in Java.
however, once I remembered the format it was relatively quick to get it working and obtain an output.
I had to make a slight adjustment to my original algorithm because ot was testing and printing the case of 3 before it
reached the case of 3 and 5 multiples.  So the fix was to put that test case before the test of 3.
package edu.hawaii;

Program:
public class FizzBuzz {
    public static void main (String [] args){
   
    for(int x = 1; x < 101; x++){
     if ((x % 3 == 0)&&(x % 5 == 0)){
            System.out.println("FIZZBUZZ");
        }
     else if (x % 3 == 0){
        System.out.println("FIZZ");
        }
    else if (x % 5 == 0){
        System.out.println("BUZZ");
    }
    else{
        System.out.println(x);
    }
        }
    }
}

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Open source software and the three Prime Directives

Overview:
The Java based package that I downloaded and installed from Sourceforge was a simple beat mapping application called OrDrumbox.  It supplies the user with a simple drum machine tool for their computer so that they may create simple computer based music.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ordrumbox/

Prime Directive 1:
First of all, the installation of the application was very simple and fast.  It took all of a minute to download and install, and also created an icon on the desktop to make access to it easy.  The interactive GUI that comes up once the application is started is actually quite sophisticated.  There are a number of controls that correspond to the drum sounds, and even a list of pre-programmed rhythms that can be selected and instantly loaded into the beat map.  There was obviously a lot of thought put into the structure of the application to make it a viable tool for users as an alternative to other expensive software on the market. This certainty was not the first software release due to the complexity and efficient design of the GUI.  Fulfills Prime Directive 1.

Prime Directive 2:
The user documentation for an application of this level is quite exceptional.  Within the help contents pull down tab of the application window is a link to a OrDrumbox website. The website has a simple user manual as well as screen shots to help guide the user, and downloads page for upgrades and tutorial videos.  This website was designed in order to keep the application self-sufficient and provide the user  with enough information to effectively navigate its different features.  Fulfills Prime Directive 2.

Prime Directive 3:
Unfortunately, the developer-level documentation is somewhat limited.  There is a simple forum page mostly consisting of topics of already existing features.  However, there is a contact link to the developers so I suppose if one wanted to attempt to create a plug-in or enhancement to the application, the developers have left it open-ended.  Does not completely fulfill Directive 3.