Homework #1 FAQ

Answers to various questions about Homework #1.

When is the project due?

The project is due at 11:59:59 on Friday, 9/18/98, contrary to the date in the homework specification.

How do I submit our project?

You should submit files containing your Lisp source with the extension .lsp. You should also submit a copy of the wumpus worlds you used to test your program, to give us examples of your file format. These files should have the extension .wumpus. Your files should be in UNIX format; you will have to FTP them from your Windows computer to a UNIX workstation to submit them. At the UNIX prompt, you should do the following, where world.wumpus is a file containing a sample wumpus world, and wumpus.lsp contains your source:

~/lisp> tar cvf wumpus.tar wumpus.lsp world.wumpus
~/lisp> gzip wumpus.tar
~/lisp> uuencode wumpus.tar.gz wumpus.tar.gz > wumpus.tar.gz.uu
~/lisp> mail -s "Lisp: Homework #1" flynnk@rpi.edu < wumpus.tar.gz.uu
~/lisp> mail -s "Lisp: Homework #1" lij3@cs.rpi.edu < wumpus.tar.gz.uu

As you can see, I'd like you to tar, gzip, and then uuencode your files. If you have any questions about this process, email me by Friday morning.

You should also include a brief README listing the names of your group members, and anything special we should know about your code.

How long will this project take?

I estimate that a team of two, working in tandem could develop this project in as few as 5 hours, assuming you know the material well. For students who are not as familiar, it could take somewhat longer. Start early! If you haven't started yet, do so now.

Is this project even possible?

Yes. I've done it. :)

How do I do File I/O?

There are several slides in Lecture #3 about File I/O. I strongly suggest you read Chapter #7 in Graham. It is rather short; it is my thought that File I/O is rather dull and straightforward, so I will not be covering it explicity in class. If you have difficulties, contact me.

Does the Wumpus move?

No.

Do we have to write an agent to solve the problem?

No. The user will actually be playing the game. That's project #2. :) You merely have to accept input from the user and update the world accordingly. For example, the user types "Forward" and the Adventurer moves forward.

How about error checking?

You should do reasonable error checking, such as default conditions for your (cond) statements, but I'm not requiring complex error handling -- we won't try to break your program when we're grading it. On the other hand, if we do not understand the interface and make an error, error handling will give us a hint...

I'm completely lost! Where do I begin?

Earlier! Seriously, though, consider Step 2, reading in the file. You will have to store the Wumpus world in a data structure. Given the layout of the world, what would be a good structure? What static and dynamic information do I need to keep? The static information might include the locations of the pits, for example. How do I have that in the file?

Will the deadline be pushed back again?

No. Students with individual problems should see me. If I push the deadline back any further, you will not have time for the other course projects.

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flynnk@rpi.edu