Project 1 - Workstation Configuration

Let’s get ready to code! To make sure we are ready for the labs and the projects for this class, let’s configure your workstation/environment with the required toolsets and construct a few small Python program.

We will test our configuration out using the Pacman game, which was developed by Berkerly AI (http://ai.berkeley.edu).

Tasks

1. Install and/or verify that you have Python and the required packages on your computer. The recommended version is 3.10.16 and the minimum version is 3.10.2. Optionally install an IDE for Python (highly recommended). VS Code is a very popular option.

2. Download and run the Pacman game and take a screenshot to show that you workstation is properly configured.

3. Write a small Python program (see below).

Submit files to gradescope

Files

• Download workstationConfig.zip . This file contains the many of the components for the Pacman game so you can test that the game operates properly on your workstation. It also contains the shopSmart.py (UNFINISHED) and buyLotsOfFruit.py (UNFINISHED) files you will need to complete (plus a few support files).

Introduction

CS Lab Computers

All CS lab computes running Ubuntu have the required Python software and packages (imports) for this class. If you do not have a laptop that you can bring to class that supports the software and configuration described in this assignment, please contact me. Having a functional computer during class is a requirement of this class.

Unix/Mac versus Windows

Provided code for this class may occasionally contain UNIX/Mac specific shell scripts. Code for this class also utilizes GUIs, which typically do not run well under VMs.

If you are going to be running Windows, it is advised that you setup and configure the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Here are some instructions from Microsoft.

If you are going to run Windows, I will not be able to offer a lot of support (since I do not know Windows well nor do I use it). I can offer some basic support and also remind you that the CS lab computers will completely support this class.

Task 1: Install Python and Required Packages

Python 3.10.16 is recommended for this class (a minimum version of 3.10.2). You can download Python for Mac or Windows from python.org's Download page.

Virtual Environments with Python

Python supports its own idea of a virtual environment, which allows for sets of packages to be managed independently from one another and without administrative rights on the computer (which is more secure). You can create Python environments both using venv (Python’s tool) or more advanced managers such as Conda. Since Conda is universal and works both on Windows and MacOS, it is recommended and it is what is utilized in this assignment.

Installing Conda

1. Download Conda here and install it.

2. Start Anaconda by selecting the Anaconda-Navigator. From this app you will create your virtual environment. Select the environments on the left side of the navigator (circled below).

   

3. Create a virtual environment. Click on the “create” button shown below.

4. Create the environment with a reasonable name and an appropriate Python version.
   

Configuring the Virtual Environment

Open a terminal window and navigate to a folder where you will create your virtual environment for this class.

conda activate cs444_s25_e3
python -m pip install --upgrade pip
curl -O https://w3.cs.jmu.edu/molloykp/teaching/cs444_s25/pas/workstationConfig/cs444Requirements.txt
python -m pip install -r cs444Requirements.txt

IDEs – Microsoft Visual Studio Code

I recommend using Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code. During the development process, you will need to run games that have graphical interfaces (like Pacman) or display/analyze plots created with matplotlib. Neither of these processes work well when using VSCode with remote-ssh. One reason this document was created is to enable you to have a local version of this environment to address this issue.

To enable VSCode to use your new Conda Python environment, follow these steps:

1. Open VSCode on your computer.
2. Edit any .py file now in VSCode. In the lower right corner, you should be able to select your venv environment. If the correct one is not shown, click on it and select it from the list that is presented.

Task 2: Testing your Environment

To test your enviornment, unzip workstationConfig.zip . If you are using VSCode, you can open the workstation folder this creates by going to Open and then Open Folder.... From the terminal (either directly or from within VSCode), run the pacman.py file as shown below.

python pacman.py 

If all is well with your installation, a game of Pacman will start. Navigate pacman using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

Take a screen capture of pacman operating on your computer and name this file pacman_capture.pdf. You will be uploading this file to Gradescope.

Task 3: Intro to Python Programming

Complete the one function in buyLotsOfFruit.py and another function in shopSmart.py so that it complies with its docstring (comment block after the function definition). This code introduces you to the idea of dictionarys in Python (hashmaps) and also has you write a simple for loop. Note: typically Python does not use camel case and prefers that underscores are used to separate out words, alas, some habits are hard to break.

Python utilizes docstrings for documentation (much like Java uses Javadoc).
Here are the CS 149 instructions for docstrings which may prove helpful in your Python programming career.

You can test your code by running buyLotsOfFruit_test.py file, which is included in the

Submission and Grading

Grading

Submit the following items to gradescope.

• The screen capture of your workstation running the Pacman game and name this file pacman_capture.pdf.
• Submit your completed buyLotsOfFruit.py file.
• Submit your completed shopSmart.pyfile.