Introduction to Computing – B142L

B142L coursework assignment 1

Academic year 2008/9

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Coursework Title:	20 questions game
Coursework Due Date:	December 21, 2008
Lecturer:	C Nguyen

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COURSEWORK DESCRIPTION

Students are required to write a C program that implements a less complicated variation of the 20 questions game:

1. User interface to start a new game and quit the current game.
2. User interface to read the questions and select the answers for guessing animal names.
3. Algorithms to generate questions, make guesses and decide when the game has ended.
4. Records and displays the number of questions asked and the time elapsed for each game.

These websites provide more information about the 20 questions game:

• Early game on the radio
• Recent electronic game gadget
• Play the web version of the 20Q game gadget
• Description of game play and rules

This coursework contributes 35% to the B142L unit mark.

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COURSEWORK SUBMISSION

Students are required to submit their source code and user guide online using the Mosaic website.

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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

(1) Functionality and source code (50 marks)

Marks	Criteria
40–50	Program correctly implements all of the required game functions and the source code contains well written comments that clearly indicates the entire solution design.
35–39	Program correctly implements all of the required game functions and the source code contains well written comments that indicates most of the solution design.
30–34	Program correctly implements all of the required game functions and the source code contains comments that indicates some of the solution design.
25–29	Program correctly implements most of the required game functions and the source code contains some useful comments.
20–24	At a threshold level, program is able to guess at least 30 animals using at most 20 questions.
0–19	Program does not correctly implement the required functionalities.

(2) User interface (20 marks)

Marks	Criteria
16–20	Program has a consistent, creative and easy to use interface that provides friendly error handling and access to all game functions.
14–15	Program has an easy to use interface that provides friendly error handling and access to all game functions.
12–13	The user interface provides access to all game functions and has error handling to prevent unexpected program exits.
10–11	The user interface provides access to all game functions and has some error handling.
8–9	At a threshold level, the user interface permits access to play at least one complete game.
0–7	Program interface is makes the program difficult or impossible to use.

(3) User guide (20 marks)

Marks	Criteria
16–20	User guide has a distinctive personal style with effective use of graphics and very few grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.
14–15	User guide has an easy to follow style with effective use of graphics and very few grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.
12–13	User guide has a good structure with suitable graphics and few grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.
10–11	User guide has a good structure with some grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.
8–9	At a threshold level, the user guide provides all information necessary to use the program.
0–7	User guide provides insufficient information to use the program.

(4) Peer review (10 marks)

Marks	Criteria
10	At least one of the votes is for a coursework submission which received the top 5 highest marks.
5	At a threshold level, votes for 3 coursework submissions which best fit the coursework assessment criteria.