Code Walks

Many companies ask employees to conduct "code walks" before code is committed to the code base. During a code walk a pair of programmers presents the code to a panel of reviewers. The goal is to find flaws in design, errors, algorithmic (performance) problems, and other bugs before the product gets released. Several downstream courses offer code walks.

Opportunity

This year, Fundamentals I will offer code walks for the first time. Two highly experienced tutors will conduct code walks on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

Signing up is entirely voluntary but a pairIf you work on problem sets alone, CC your head TA when you sign up so s/he can verify your status. must jointly present the code base and will get evaluated jointly. If you do well, you may collect up to three (3) extra points for the quiz category of the final grade per code walk. That is, you can make up for up to three (3) failed quizzes and/or collect up to 13 percent points of your final grade for a category that is worth 10 percent points. You cannot lose points due to a code walk.

Naturally, the presentations will help you improve your communication skills and feedback from these code walks can also help you improve your code base.

Presentations

The two of you will present your current Hungry Henry code to the panel via an overhead projector. The presentation must proceed in follow the "World Design Recipe" (data definitions, main function, rendering functions, event handling functions) and the "Function Design Recipe" for each of the functions.

Your code must be arranged in this way so that the presentation is easy to follow.

Finally it is imperative that your code is clean and that all superfluous junk is removed (un-used data definitions, templates, other disconnected material).

The panel will provide oral feedback and an email with high-level suggestions. You are obliged to address these and let the panel know how you went about it.

Sign up

Procedure

If you are selected for a code walk, you will receive email (at least) 24 hours ahead of time. You must bring a laptop with your current code base and any necessary adapters (probably needed for Mac hardware). Failure to do so means you cannot conduct the code walk.

Time and Location