Association of Information Technology Professionals
2003 National Collegiate Conference
Java Programming Competition Event

This resource page is designed to assist student contestants prepare for the AITP NCC annual Java programming competition event.

The Problem Statement
Java Competition Event Schedule

The Problem Statement

The problem statement for the Java Competition Event will be presented in three parts:

• Essential Use Cases
• UML Class Diagrams
• Text Problem Statement

All three parts will be required to solve the problem statement. There are resources available to help contestants with Java, Essential Use Cases, and the UML Class Diagrams listed below as well. Java language and IDE resources are provided below:

• Java Reference Resources

Problem statements and solutions to all of the past AITP NCC Java Programming Competition Events, including UML diagrams, are provided on this web site to assist contestants in the preparation for the annual Java Competition Event.

Essential Use Cases

The Java Competition Event will introduce the use of Essential Use Cases for the first time. Contestants should study the Unified Modeling Language Tutorials provided in the Resources column on the right hand side of this web page.

More specific information on Essential Use Cases may be obtained at the resource web link below:

Resource Link: Essential Use Case Resources [www.foruse.com]
Resource Link: Essential Use Case Tool - EuCase99 [www.foruse.com]

The Problem Statement

UML Class Diagrams

A comprehensive tutorial along with examples from past AITP NCC Java Programming Competition Events is provided on this web site. Contestants should study the Unified Modeling Language Tutorials provided in the Resources column on the right hand side of this web page. Additionally, contestants should review the past problem statement UML diagrams.

The Problem Statement

Text Problem Statement

A text (prose) problem statement accompanied with a scoring sheet will be provided to each team. The problem statement will be reviewed during the Contest Briefing during which a working solution will be shown to the contestants. The working solution is intended to be used as a proof-of-concept prototype to give the teams a general idea of what is expected. This contest will differ from the past two contests in that design issues and problem solving approach are going to play a much more important role.

The Problem Statement

Java Reference Resources

The Java Competition Event will use a problem statement adapted from content covered in the Deitel & Associates text books. The Integrated Development Environment (IDE) used in the competition event will be TextPad.

More specific information may be obtained at the resource web link below:

Resource Link: Resources

Top The Problem Statement

Java Competition Event Schedule

There are five scheduled events at the AITP National Collegiate Conference that are specifically related to the Java Competition Event (Listed in chronological order):

• Pre-Competition Event Briefing
• Competition Event Briefing
• Competition Event
• Competition Event Debriefing
• Luncheon and Award Ceremony

Top Java Competition Event Schedule

Pre-Competition Event Briefing

The 2003 conference continues the Java Competition Event practice of braking the event into three sessions. The first breakout session will cover both Essential Use Cases and UML Class Diagrams, which will be used in the competition event.

Notes may be taken during the Pre-Competition Event Briefing.

Resource Link: Contest Environment - Date and Time

Competition Event Briefing

The second session consists of two parts: The first part is the actual Java Programming Competition Event briefing. The second part is the actual Java Programming Competition Event (which will take place in the same room). The problem statement will be handed out in sealed envelopes. Each envelope will contain a team number. Each team will register their team with one of the contest event proctors. Once all of the teams are registered, the problem statement will be presented by the Java Programming Competition Event Coordinator. The presentation will provide coverage of the contest packet contents followed by a working solution to the problem statement that has been prepared by the contest event staff. Following the contest problem statement briefing, the teams will be provided an opportunity to ask questions.

The Competition Event Briefing serves as a mechanism to make sure that all of the teams are provided the same information at the same time. This is the only way to make sure that each team is treated fairly and equally. Questions relating to the problem statement will only be addressed during the briefing.

Instructions that relate specifically to the Java Competition Event will also be provided - failure to follow these instructions may result in disqualification. Each team should pay very close attention to make sure that they understand the verbal instructions.

Notes may be taken during the Competition Event Briefing.

Java Competition Event Schedule

Competition Event

Once the Competition Event Briefing has concluded, the actual Java Programming Competition Event will begin. No talking will be allowed and no additional questions will be answered. There will be people available to provide technical assistance in the event of a workstation related problem. Remember, an important aspect of the contest is evaluating how each team follows instructions and can interpret the specifications. Problem statement related questions will not be answered once the contest begins since the ability of each team to read, listen, and interview during the briefing are all factors that contribute to the scoring and solution evaluation process.

Each team may keep their problem statement material as well as any notes.

Each team must turn in their score sheet, floppy disk with saved solution, and required print outs.

Each team must make sure that their team number is placed where required within their Java code and on relevant material that is turned in. Each team must make sure that their is no information turned in (including within the Java code) that identifies either the team members or their school (and community). Failure to comply with these two requirements will result in disqualification.

Java Competition Event Schedule

Competition Event Debriefing

This breakout session will provide an opportunity for the Java contestants, faculty, and other interested parties to go over the problem statement and solution prepared by the Java Competition Event staff. A question and answer session will follow - the winners and honorable mentions will not be identified nor will scoring details be addressed.

Java Competition Event Schedule

Award Ceremony

The AITP NCC Competition Events Award Ceremony will take place immediately after lunch (in the same room that the lunch is served). Immediately following the conclusion to the award ceremony, each team may pick up their score sheet to see how they performed - the score sheets will also contain comments from the judges. A photo session for the top three teams and the honorable mention teams will also take place at this time. Team photos with names and school affiliations will be posted on this web site in the Photo Album section (refer to the menu bar located in the left hand column on this web page).

Top Java Competition Event Schedule