Working in Your Course IDE

Working in Your Course IDE

The Module Three Assignment uses several file types in VS Code. Each file type supports a different part of the assignment workflow.

The Codio Virtual Desktop (CVD) is the IT 140 reference environment. A supported local computer configured through the Module One Setup Tasks can also be used.

Open the Assignment Folder, Not an Individual File

Open the repository folder in VS Code:

~/Repos/it140-m3-assignment

The Explorer should show it140-m3-assignment as the top-level folder. Opening the whole repository lets relative links, extensions, Git integration, and terminal commands work as intended.

Markdown Files (.md)

README, SRS, SDD, and SDW files use Markdown.

Open Markdown Preview

To read a Markdown file in a formatted view:

1. Right-click the file in the Explorer.
2. Choose Open Preview or Open Preview to the Side.

Opening to the side is useful when you want instructions visible while working in another file.

Edit Only Student Files

Most Markdown in this repository is course-provided reference material. The optional paycheck_calculator_sdw.md is the Markdown file intended for student working notes.

Do not edit README, SRS, or SDD files in your personal assignment repository.

Draw.io File (.drawio)

design/paycheck_calculator.drawio is a graded deliverable.

With the Draw.io integration installed, selecting the file should open the diagram editor inside VS Code.

The template includes tabs for:

• Paycheck Calculator — your graded flowchart
• README — template instructions
• Symbols — reference shapes
• Snippets — generic structures
• References — attribution/source information

Useful Workflow

1. Open design/README.md in Markdown Preview to the side.
2. Open paycheck_calculator.drawio in the main editor.
3. Review the README/Symbols/Snippets tabs as needed.
4. Build your flowchart on the Paycheck Calculator tab.
5. Save frequently.

Keep the file in .drawio format. Do not replace it with a screenshot, PNG, or PDF.

Pseudocode File (.pseudo)

design/paycheck_calculator.pseudo is the other graded deliverable.

Open it in the regular text editor. The starter contains TODO prompts and a simple structure.

Use indentation consistently so branch membership is easy to see.

Work Side by Side

A useful Design workflow is:

1. Open the flowchart.
2. Open pseudocode to the side.
3. Compare the input, decision, branch processing, and output.
4. Revise until both represent the same planned program.

VS Code Explorer

The Explorer helps you move among the SDLC folders:

analysis/
design/
src/
tests/

Use the folder names as a reminder of the development sequence.

For the required Module Three assignment, your graded work is in design/.

Source Control

VS Code Source Control provides a graphical way to use Git.

A common save-to-GitHub workflow is:

1. Select the Source Control icon.
2. Review changed files.
3. Stage only the student work files you intended to change.
4. Enter a short commit message.
5. Commit.
6. Sync/Push to GitHub.

The command-line instructions in the repository README provide an alternative.

Before committing, ask:

"Did I accidentally edit a course-provided file?"

If so, restore it before pushing.

Integrated Terminal

Use Terminal > New Terminal when a repository instruction asks you to run a command.

Common uses in Module Three include:

• checking Git status;
• committing/pushing work;
• running the optional Python program; and
• running the optional test file.

Windows users should use the configured PowerShell or Git Bash terminal rather than Command Prompt when following the repository's shell commands.

Optional Python File (.py)

Only open src/paycheck_calculator.py for editing after the graded design is complete if you choose the optional construction practice.

The starter includes a main() function and main guard as scaffolding. You do not need to master those concepts yet.

Run the optional program from the repository root:

python3 src/paycheck_calculator.py

Problems Panel and Error Indicators

During optional Python practice, VS Code may underline syntax problems or show them in the Problems panel.

Treat these indicators as clues. Read the message, correct one problem, and run again.

GitHub Actions Are Separate From VS Code

After a push, GitHub runs Assignment Checks in your personal repository. VS Code does not automatically submit anything to D2L.

Remember:

VS Code = development environment

GitHub = repository and backup

D2L Brightspace = assignment submission, grading, and instructor feedback

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