photo credit: schedetzki

Challenge: Create three lists of buzzwords typically used by business consultants. Randomly select three words and put in a sentence to form something ridiculous that a business consultant might say with an air of authority.

My solution:

package phraseomatic;

/**
 *
 * @author kirkster
 */
public class Main {

    /**
     * @param args the command line arguments
     */
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // create three word sets to build from
        String[] wordListOne = {"24/7", "multi-Tier", "30,000 foot", "B2B", "win-win", "front-end", "web-based", "pervasive", "smart", "six-sigma", "critical-path", "dynamic"};
        String[] wordListTwo = {"empowered", "sticky", "value-added", "oriented", "centric", "distributed", "clustered", "branded", "outside-the-box", "positioned", "networked", "focused", "leveraged", "aligned", "targeted", "shared", "cooperative", "accelerated", "semantic"};
        String[] wordListThree = {"process", "tipping-point", "solution", "architecture", "core competency", "strategy", "mindshare", "portal", "space", "vision", "paradigm", "mission"};

        // determine how many words in each list
        int oneLength = wordListOne.length;
        int twoLength = wordListTwo.length;
        int threeLength = wordListThree.length;

        // generate three random numbers
        int rand1 = (int) (Math.random() * oneLength);
        int rand2 = (int) (Math.random() * twoLength);
        int rand3 = (int) (Math.random() * threeLength);

        // build a phrase
        String phrase = wordListOne[rand1] + " " + wordListTwo[rand2] + " " + wordListThree[rand3];

        // print out the phrase
        System.out.println("Consultant says: \"We need a " + phrase + "!\"");
    }

}

Here is the output:

Phrase-O-Matic pumps out business consultant wisdom

This programming challenge is from the Head First Java book, which I studied and practiced spring 2009. The end result itself is not terribly sexy, but I liked the algorithm construction process. My programming curriculum changed course during the first year, and they eliminated our Java classes. I was still curious about Java, so I took it upon myself to self-learn Java. This was one of my first products.

I post these self-instructional challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it. Finally, self-instructional challenges are interesting and different than academic challenges because I sought, discovered, and performed them on my own volition without anyone else telling me to do so. I did it because I wanted to learn and practice.

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4.9: This is a modification of Chapter 3’s Problem 15, which was:

Write a program that can be used as a math tutor for a young student. The program should display two random numbers to be added, such as

   247
+ 129
------

The program should then pause while the student works on the problem. When the student is ready to check the answer, he or she can press a key and the program will display the correct solution, for example:

   247
+ 129
------
   376

This time, write a program that can be used as a math tutor for a young student. The program should display two random numbers that are to be added. The program should wait for the student to enter the answer. If the answer is correct, a message of congratulations should be printed. If the answer is incorrect, a message should be printed showing the correct answer.

My solution:

/* Chapter 4 Challenge 9
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 3, 2007
   Math Tutor - Enhanced
*/

#include <iomanip>
#include <cstdlib>
#include <ctime>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  char ch;
  srand(time(0));
  const int SEED = 999;
  int num1, num2, num3, answer;

  num1 = 1 + rand() % SEED;
  num2 = 1 + rand() % SEED;

  cout << "Enter your answer after the problem appears:" << endl;
  cout << setw(5) << num1 << endl;
  cout << "+ " << setw(3) << num2 << endl;
  cout << "_____" << endl;
  cin >> answer;
  num3 = num1 + num2;
  cin.get(ch);

  cout << setw(5) << num3 << " is the correct answer, ";

  if (answer == num3)
    {
      cout << "great job!" << endl;
    }
  else if (answer > num3)
    {
      cout << "your answer (" << answer << ") was too high." << endl;
    }
  else
    {
      cout << "your answer (" << answer << ") was too low." << endl;
    }

  return 0;
}

Note: This programming challenge is from an initial C++ programming course I took in Fall 2007. The Chapter (4) was titled “Making Decisions”.

I post these old academic challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it.

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photo credit: FABIOLA MEDEIROS- direção de arte

This programming challenge is from an initial C++ programming course I took in Fall 2007. The Chapter (4) was titled “Making Decisions”.

I post these old academic challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it.

4.7: Write a program that asks the user to enter a number of seconds.

There are 60 seconds in a minute. If the number of seconds entered by the user is greater than or equal to 60, the program should display the number of minutes in that many seconds.

There are 3,600 seconds in an hour. If the number of seconds entered by the user is greater than or equal to 3,600, the program should display the number of hours in that many seconds.

There are 86,400 seconds in a day. If the number of seconds entered by the user is greater than or equal to 86,400, the program should display the number of days in that many seconds.

My solution:

/* Chapter 4 Challenge 7
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 2, 2007
   Time Calculator
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  int seconds;
  float minutes, hours, days;

  cout << "Please enter a number of seconds." << endl;
  cin >> seconds;

  if (seconds >= 86400)
    {
      days = seconds / 86400.0;
      cout << "You entered " << seconds << ", which equals "
	   << days << " days." << endl;
    }

  else if (seconds >= 3600)
    {
      hours = seconds / 3600.0;
      cout << "You entered " << seconds << ", which equals "
	   << hours << " hours." << endl;
    }
  else if (seconds >= 60)
    {
      minutes = seconds / 60.0;
      cout << "You entered " << seconds << ", which equals "
	   << minutes << " minutes." << endl;
    }
  else
    cout << "You entered " << seconds << " seconds." << endl;

  return 0;
}

Here is the capture script I turned in for grading:

Script started on Tue 02 Oct 2007 12:06:37 PM MDT
$ cat chap4chlg7.cc
/* Chapter 4 Challenge 7
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 2, 2007
   Time Calculator
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  int seconds;
  float minutes, hours, days;

  cout << "Please enter a number of seconds." << endl;
  cin >> seconds;

  if (seconds >= 86400)
    {
      days = seconds / 86400.0;
      cout << "You entered " << seconds << ", which equals "
	   << days << " days." << endl;
    }

  else if (seconds >= 3600)
    {
      hours = seconds / 3600.0;
      cout << "You entered " << seconds << ", which equals "
	   << hours << " hours." << endl;
    }
  else if (seconds >= 60)
    {
      minutes = seconds / 60.0;
      cout << "You entered " << seconds << ", which equals "
	   << minutes << " minutes." << endl;
    }
  else
    cout << "You entered " << seconds << " seconds." << endl;

  return 0;
}
$ g++ -o chap4chlg7 chap4chlg7.cc -s
$ chap4chlg7
Please enter a number of seconds.
59
You entered 59 seconds.
$ chap4chlg7
Please enter a number of seconds.
62
You entered 62, which equals 1.03333 minutes.
$ chap4chlg7
Please enter a number of seconds.
3599
You entered 3599, which equals 59.9833 minutes.
$ chap4chlg7
Please enter a number of seconds.
3604
You entered 3604, which equals 1.00111 hours.
$ chap4chlg7
Please enter a number of seconds.
86399
You entered 86399, which equals 23.9997 hours.
$ chap4chlg7
Please enter a number of seconds.
86401
You entered 86401, which equals 1.00001 days.
$ chap4chlg7
Please enter a number of seconds.
123456789
You entered 123456789, which equals 1428.9 days.
$ exit
exit

Script done on Tue 02 Oct 2007 12:07:33 PM MDT

I later went back and expanded my solution to output in more formats at each level:

/* Chapter 4 Challenge 7 (Expanded Solution)
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 2, 2007
   Time Calculator
*/

#include <iomanip>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  int seconds;
  int minutes, hours, days;

  cout << "Please enter a number of seconds." << endl;
  cin >> seconds;

  if (seconds >= 86400)
    {
      days = seconds / 86400;
      cout << "Number of days: " << setw(8) << days << endl;
      seconds = seconds % 86400;
      hours = seconds / 3600;
      cout << "Number of hours: " << setw(7) << hours << endl;
      seconds = seconds % 3600;
      minutes = seconds / 60;
      cout << "Number of minutes: " << setw(5) << minutes << endl;
      seconds = seconds % 60;
      cout << "Number of seconds: " << setw(5) << seconds << endl;
    }
  else if (seconds >= 3600)
    {
      hours = seconds / 3600;
      cout << "Number of hours: " << setw(7) << hours << endl;
      seconds = seconds % 3600;
      minutes = seconds / 60;
      cout << "Number of minutes: " << setw(5) << minutes << endl;
      seconds = seconds % 60;
      cout << "Number of seconds: " << setw(5) << seconds << endl;
    }
  else if (seconds >= 60)
    {
      minutes = seconds / 60;
      cout << "Number of minutes: " << setw(5) << minutes << endl;
      seconds = seconds % 60;
      cout << "Number of seconds: " << setw(5) << seconds << endl;
    }
  else
    {
      cout << "Number of seconds: " << setw(5) << seconds << endl;
    }

  return 0;
}

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photo credit: quinn.anya

This programming challenge is from an initial C++ programming course I took in Fall 2007. The Chapter (4) was titled “Making Decisions”.

I post these old academic challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it.

4.5: Test Scores and Letter Grade:
Write a program that has variables to hold three test scores. The program should ask the user to enter three test scores and then assign the values entered to the variables. The program should display the average of the test scores and the letter grade that is assigned for the test score average. Use the following grade scheme: 90 or greater = A, 80-89 = B, 70-79 = C, 60-69 = D, Below 60 = F. Assume valid user inputs.

My solution:

/* Chapter 4 Challenge 5
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 2, 2007
   Test scroes and grade
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  float test1, test2, test3, avg;

  cout << "Please enter your three test scores each separated by a space.\n";
  cin >> test1 >> test2 >> test3;

  avg = (test1 + test2 + test3) / 3;

  cout << "Your test average " << avg << " earned you an ";

  if (avg > 90)
    {
      cout << "A." << endl;
    }
  else if (avg > 80)
    {
      cout << "B." << endl;
    }
  else if (avg > 70)
    {
      cout << "C." << endl;
    }
  else if (avg > 60)
    {
      cout << "D." << endl;
    }
  else
    {
      cout << "F." << endl;
    }

  return 0;
}

Here is the capture script I turned in for grading:

Script started on Tue 02 Oct 2007 11:21:02 AM MDT
$ cat chap4chlg5.cc
/* Chapter 4 Challenge 5
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 2, 2007
   Test scroes and grade
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  float test1, test2, test3, avg;

  cout << "Please enter your three test scores each separated by a space.\n";
  cin >> test1 >> test2 >> test3;

  avg = (test1 + test2 + test3) / 3;

  cout << "Your test average " << avg << " earned you ";

  if (avg > 90)
    {
      cout << "an A." << endl;
    }
  else if (avg > 80)
    {
      cout << "a B." << endl;
    }
  else if (avg > 70)
    {
      cout << "a C." << endl;
    }
  else if (avg > 60)
    {
      cout << "a D." << endl;
    }
  else
    {
      cout << "an F." << endl;
    }

  return 0;
}
$ g++ -o chap4chlg5 chap4chlg5.cc -s
$ chap4chlg5
Please enter your three test scores each separated by a space.
44.5 84.5 99.9
Your test average 76.3 earned you a C.
$ exit
exit

Script done on Tue 02 Oct 2007 11:21:41 AM MDT

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photo credit: shaire productions

This programming challenge is from an initial C++ programming course I took in Fall 2007. The Chapter (4) was titled “Making Decisions”.

I post these old academic challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it.

4.4: Area of Rectangles: The area of a rectangle is the rectangle’s length times its width. Write a program that asks for the length and width of two rectangles. The program should tell the user which rectangle has the greater area, or if the areas are the same.

My solution:

/* Chapter 4 Challenge 4
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 2, 2007
   Comparing rectangle areas
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  float width1, width2, length1, length2, rect1, rect2;

  cout << "Enter inches width of first rectangle: ";
  cin >> width1;
  cout << "Enter inches length of first rectangle: ";
  cin >> length1;
  cout << "Enter inches width of second rectangle: ";
  cin >> width2;
  cout << "Enter inches length of second rectangle: ";
  cin >> length2;

  rect1 = width1 * length1;
  rect2 = width2 * length2;

  if (rect1 > rect2)
    {
      cout << "Rectangle 1 (" << rect1 << ") is " << rect1 - rect2
	   << " area inches larger than rectangle 2 ("
	   << rect2 << ")." << endl;
    }
  else if (rect1 < rect2)
    {
      cout << "Rectangle 2 (" << rect2 << ") is " << rect2 - rect1
	   << " area inches larger than rectangle 1 ("
	   << rect1 << ")." << endl;
    }
  else if (rect1 == rect2)
    {
      cout << "Rectangles 1 and 2 are equal at "
	   << rect1 << " area inches." << endl;
    }

  return 0;
}

Here is the capture script I turned in for grading:

Script started on Tue 02 Oct 2007 10:49:54 AM MDT
$ cat chap4chlg4.cc
/* Chapter 4 Challenge 4
   Written by Kirk Hingsberger
   October 2, 2007
   Comparing rectangle areas
*/

#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

int main()
{
  float width1, width2, length1, length2, rect1, rect2;

  cout << "Enter inches width of first rectangle: ";
  cin >> width1;
  cout << "Enter inches length of first rectangle: ";
  cin >> length1;
  cout << "Enter inches width of second rectangle: ";
  cin >> width2;
  cout << "Enter inches length of second rectangle: ";
  cin >> length2;

  rect1 = width1 * length1;
  rect2 = width2 * length2;

  if (rect1 > rect2)
    {
      cout << "Rectangle 1 (" << rect1 << ") is " << rect1 - rect2
	   << " area inches larger than rectangle 2 ("
	   << rect2 << ")." << endl;
    }
  else if (rect1 < rect2)
    {
      cout << "Rectangle 2 (" << rect2 << ") is " << rect2 - rect1
	   << " area inches larger than rectangle 1 ("
	   << rect1 << ")." << endl;
    }
  else if (rect1 == rect2)
    {
      cout << "Rectangles 1 and 2 are equal at "
	   << rect1 << " area inches." << endl;
    }

  return 0;
}
$ g++ -o chap4chlg4 chapr4chlg4.cc -s
$ chap4chlg4
Enter inches width of first rectangle: 2
Enter inches length of first rectangle: 3
Enter inches width of second rectangle: 3
Enter inches length of second rectangle: 4
Rectangle 2 (12) is 6 area inches larger than rectangle 1 (6).
$ chap4chlg4
Enter inches width of first rectangle: 4
Enter inches length of first rectangle: 3
Enter inches width of second rectangle: 3
Enter inches length of second rectangle: 2
Rectangle 1 (12) is 6 area inches larger than rectangle 2 (6).
$ chap4chlg4
Enter inches width of first rectangle: 2
Enter inches length of first rectangle: 3
Enter inches width of second rectangle: 2
Enter inches length of second rectangle: 3
Rectangles 1 and 2 are equal at 6 area inches.
$ exit
exit

Script done on Tue 02 Oct 2007 10:50:40 AM MDT

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photo credit: davidChief

This programming challenge is from a Lynda.com instructional video, featuring Dori Smith, which I studied/practiced last summer but once again spring 2009. I do not mean to just re-post the wonderful Lynda.com code, but rather add instructional value to it by way of clearer variable names and explanatory comments. The end result itself is not terribly sexy, but I liked the algorithm construction process.

I post these self-instructional challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it. Finally, self-instructional challenges are interesting and different than academic challenges because I sought, discovered, and performed them on my own volition without anyone else telling me to do so. I did it because I wanted to learn and practice.

Challenge: Create a simple script to randomly pull and display an image on a web page.

The HTML solution:

<html>
<head>
	<title>NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day Gallery</title>
	<script type="text/javascript" src="script.js"></script>
	<link rel="stylesheet" rev="stylesheet" href="styles.css" />
</head>
<body>
	<img src="images/spacer.gif" id="aRandomPicture" alt="a Random image" />
</body>
</html>

The JavaScript solution:

// run randomPic function whenever page loads
window.onload = randomPic;

// setup array of image files
var myPics = new Array("images/1.jpg", "images/2.jpg", "images/3.jpg", "images/4.jpg", "images/5.jpg", "images/6.jpg", "images/7.jpg", "images8.jpg");

function randomPic() {
	// generate random number based on image quantity
	randomNumber = Math.floor((Math.random() * myPics.length));
	// set the image src attribute to a random pic in the image array
	document.getElementById("aRandomPicture").src = myPics[randomNumber];
}

It’s as simple as that!

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If you are having difficulty getting a particular CSS style to “appear”, one thing to check is your specificity. CSS specificity is a four digit score for resolving cascade conflicts. You can actually add up the specificity score to determine which conflicting style should prevail. The four digit score is comprised of inline style, id, class, and element. You can express it as #, #, #, #. Examples are provided below.

For example, what gets displayed when you have two conflicting styles specified for the same element?

li { background-color: blue; }
li { background-color: yellow; }

Of course we know intuitively and through practice that the second style is displayed because it is read after the first and so it “overwrites” that first style. Less intuitively, you should know that the second wins because it has the same level of specificity as that first style. The two styles above each have the score 0, 0, 0, 1 because they are not inline styles, they have no id or class specification, and they specify only one element each.

Specificity refers to how specific you identify an element. Referring to just ‘li’ is just the single list item element, you are not referring to additional element information. This is like specifying different styles based on nesting, such as ‘div a’ vs. ‘p a’. Those could have two different styles because they have different nesting.

For another example, which style do you think will get displayed?

ul li { background-color: blue; }
li { background-color: yellow; }

The first style will win over the second because of greater element specificity, despite the potential of overwriting later in the script. The first style’s specificity score is 0, 0, 0, 2 while the second style’s score is still just 0, 0, 0, 1. That tiny extra specificity causes the first style to win out and get displayed. Now the power of specificity should be dawning on you, and why specificity can cause frustrating display problems in a large stylesheet. Let’s explore further.

Which style do you think will get displayed?

.nav li { background-color: blue; }
ul li { background-color: yellow; }

Of course the first style wins again because the class selector has greater specificity than the element selectors. The score is 0, 0, 1, 1, versus 0, 0, 0, 2.

Which style do you think will get displayed?

#nav li { background-color: blue; }
.nav ul li { background-color: yellow; }

Of course the first style wins again because the id selector has greater specificity than the class selector. The score is 0, 1, 0, 1, versus 0, 0, 1, 2.

Which style do you think will get displayed?

#nav .nav div ul li { background-color: yellow; }
...
<body>
<div id="nav"><ul><li style="background-color: blue;">Data</li></ul></div></body>

The inline style gets displayed here (though only on the elements containing the inline style) because inline styles have slightly higher specificity than id, class, or element styles specified in header styles or external stylesheets (remember ‘cascading’ is a key concept). The score is 1, 0, 0, 0 versus 0, 1, 1, 3. Although the specificity is greater here, you realize inline styles are an evil thing because you are mixing style with content. You should know the rule exists and how it works, and then pledge to never take it that far unless you are debugging code.

Speaking of debugging code, what if you specify something as much as you reasonably can, yet you cannot get it to display? Rather than dropping it into an inline style, you can use the !important keyword in your style, which functions as a kind of override function as far as specificity goes.

Which style do you think will get displayed?

#nav .nav div ul li { background-color: blue !important; }
#nav .nav div ul li { background-color: yellow; }

Of course the first style wins again because of the !important keyword (yes, it will also beat an inline style specification). This case indicates you have conflicting styles in your stylesheet and you need to check specificity to target what is conflicting. If your style does not display when you use !important, it indicates you have another problem like misspelling an element, class, or id.

After you have fixed the conflict, go back and remove the !important keyword or you will forever be chasing your tail across stylesheets with more and more !important declarations. Use !important only for debugging purposes.

Finally, remember specificity only comes into play when styles conflict. You can have dozens of separate style statements work beautifully together so long as they are specifying different style elements (such as background-color, font-style, color, padding, etc.) It is only when they specify the same style elements with conflicting values does the specificity score become important.

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photo credit: NUCO

This programming challenge is from the Head First Java book, which I studied and practiced spring 2009. The end result itself is not terribly sexy, but I liked the algorithm construction process. My programming curriculum changed course during the first year, and they eliminated our Java classes. I was still curious about Java, so I took it upon myself to self-learn Java. This was one of my first products.

I post these self-instructional challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it. Finally, self-instructional challenges are interesting and different than academic challenges because I sought, discovered, and performed them on my own volition without anyone else telling me to do so. I did it because I wanted to learn and practice.

Challenge: Create a simple program which outputs the classic “99 Bottles of Beer” song, counting down from 99 to 0 bottles. In addition to outputting the correct number of bottles in each chorus, output the correct plural or singular form of “bottle” where appropriate to the number remaining. When there are no more bottles left then state final line.

My solution:

package bottlesofbeer;

/**
 *
 * @author kirk
 */
public class Main {

    /**
     * @param args the command line arguments
     */
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // initialize starting number of bottles on wall
        int beerNum = 99;

        // initialize plural form of bottle used most often
        String word = "bottles";

        while (beerNum > 0) {
            // if only 1 bottle is left then change to singular form
            if (beerNum == 1) { word = "bottle"; }

            // output song chorus using current variable states
            System.out.println(beerNum + " " + word + " of beer on the wall,");
            System.out.println(beerNum + " " + word + " of beer!");
            System.out.println("Take one down, pass it around.");

            // decrement beerNum cuz we took one down and passed it around
            beerNum--;
            if (beerNum == 1) { word = "bottle"; }

            // so long as there are still bottles on the wall
            if (beerNum > 0) {
                System.out.println(beerNum + " " + word + " of beer on the wall!");
                System.out.println();
            }
            // when there are no more bottles on the wall
            else {
                System.out.println("No more bottles of beer on the wall!");
            } // ends if/else
        } // ends while loop
    } // ends main method
} // ends class

Here is the output:

99 Bottles of Beer Song output via Java

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photo credit: pawpaw67

This programming challenge is from a Lynda.com instructional video, featuring Dori Smith, which I studied/practiced last summer but once again spring 2009. I do not mean to just re-post the wonderful Lynda.com code, but rather add instructional value to it by way of clearer variable names and explanatory comments. The end result itself is not terribly sexy, but I liked the algorithm construction process.

I post these self-instructional challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it. Finally, self-instructional challenges are interesting and different than academic challenges because I sought, discovered, and performed them on my own volition without anyone else telling me to do so. I did it because I wanted to learn and practice.

Challenge: Create a JavaScript image slideshow with next and previous links that use an array. Loop the script so the slideshow never reaches an end.

The HTML solution:

<html>
<head>
	<title>NASA Patches Slideshow</title>
	<script type="text/javascript" src="script.js"></script>
	<link rel="stylesheet" rev="stylesheet" href="styles.css" />
</head>
<body>
	<div align="center">
		<h1>NASA Patches Slideshow</h1>
		<img src="images/nasa.jpeg" id="currentPicture" width="201" height="155" alt="Slideshow" />
		<h2>
        	<a href="previous.html" id="prevLink">&laquo; Previous</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;
            <a href="next.html" id="nextLink">Next &raquo;</a></h2>
	</div>
</body>
</html>

The JavaScript solution:

window.onload = initLinks;

// create array of pictures/strings
var myPics = new Array("images/nasa.jpeg", "images/columbia1.gif", "images/columbia2.jpeg", "images/columbia3.jpg", "images/columbia4.jpeg", "images/challenger.jpeg");

// track currently displayed image, set to 0
var thisPic = 0;

// handle behaviors when next and previous links are clicked
function initLinks() {
	// when prevLink is clicked, call function to fetch the previous pic
	document.getElementById("prevLink").onclick = processPrevious;
	// when nextLink is clicked, call function to fetch the next pic
	document.getElementById("nextLink").onclick = processNext;
}

// called when prevLink is clicked
function processPrevious() {
	// if we are on slide 0
	if (thisPic == 0) {
		// then set thisPic to be same value as array length (meaning last picture)
		// this allows looping around the collection not reaching an end
		thisPic = myPics.length;
	}
	// decrement thisPic to be one less than last pic so as to point to previous
	thisPic--;
	// set source of page's displayed picture to be new current
	document.getElementById("currentPicture").src = myPics[thisPic];
	// js handled the work, so prevent next page from being fetched
	return false;
}

// called when nextLink is clicked
function processNext() {
	// incerement thisPic to be one more than last pic so as to point to next
	thisPic++;
	// if we are on last picture in array
	if (thisPic == myPics.length) {
		// then set thisPic to be original value in array (meaning first picture)
		// this allows looping around the collection not reaching an end
		thisPic = 0;
	}
	// set source of page's displayed picture to be new current
	document.getElementById("currentPicture").src = myPics[thisPic];
	// js handled the work, so prevent next page from being fetched
	return false;
}

Here is a screenshot example of a previous slideshow image:

Example of the previous image fetched

Here is a screenshot example of a next slideshow image:

Example of the next image fetched

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photo credit: wEnDaLicious

This programming challenge is from a Visual Basic.Net programming course I took in Spring 2008. The Chapter (1) was titled “Introduction to Visual Basic .Net 2005″.

I post these old academic challenges for a few reasons. One is to demonstrate my programming learning, experience, and progression. Another reason is to make sure my code and solutions are indexed by search engines, so that other beginning programmers may get help if they need it.

1.5: Create a project to display the daily specials for “your” diner. Make up a name for your diner and display it in a label at the top of the form. Add a label to display the appropriate special depending on the button that is pressed. the buttons should be:

• Soup of the Day
• Chef’s Special
• Daily Fish

Also include an Exit button.

My solution code:

' Assignment 1
' Problem 1.5
' Kirk Hingsberger
' Display Menu Specials

Public Class specialsForm
    Private Sub exitButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles exitButton.Click
        ' Exits program
        Me.Close()
    End Sub

    Private Sub soupButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles soupButton.Click
        ' Display Soup of Day
        Me.specialsTextLabel.Text = "Kirk's Diner is offering hot hot water as our soup of the day."
    End Sub

    Private Sub chefsButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles chefsButton.Click
        ' Display Chef's Special
        Me.specialsTextLabel.Text = "Kirk's Diner is offering yesterday's leftovers as our premium chef's special today."
    End Sub

    Private Sub fishButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles fishButton.Click
        ' Display Daily Fish
        Me.specialsTextLabel.Text = "Kirk's Diner is offering fillet of oscar as today's daily fish special."
    End Sub
End Class

My solution’s build screenshot:

Press a button to get a diner special

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