Java IO and testing made simple

ABSTRACT

We present software tools that support robust input processing and comprehensive testing in Java. The software includes the JPT library that supports error-checked typed input via console or GUI for all primitive types. This provides a robust encapsulation of typical interactive input requests encountered in introductory programming courses.The Java Power Framework and its extension allow the user to develop a comprehensive test suite independent of the target classes. The type-safe input framework allows us to implement an external iterator interface for several types of input data sources, including the console, a GUI, a file, and an internal data structure. Student's programs that implement various algorithms can then process data independently of its source: running tests on existing data structures; creating inputs interactively; or running stress tests and timing tests on large input files.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.1 PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES
      D.1.5 Object-oriented Programming

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques
      D.2.3 Coding Tools and Techniques
          Subjects: Object-oriented programming

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Languages

Keywords:
CS 1/2, courseware, curriculum issues, object-oriented issues