Run the automatic lab grader

1. Copy the following files to the root of your class folder, e.g., P:\cs256:

ag.jar

tools.jar

2. Double click ag.jar to run the autograder.

The autograder is incompatible with Java 1.9.   If you have java JDK 1.9 installed and run the autograder, when the autograder attempts to compile PUT.java, the compiler gives a NullPointerException.

You can work around this problem by installing the Java 1.8 JDK:

· Visit https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html

Under:

Java SE Development Kit 8u…

· Click Accept License Agreement radio button

· In the Download column, choose the appropriate version for your system

· Double click the downloaded file to install the 1.8 JDK

Restart the autograder.

The autograder is a program that uses a test harness to test your java lab. The autograder executes the following steps:

1. Download the test harness program to your computer.
2. Compile the test harness and your lab code.
3. Execute the test harness, which calls your code and tests it.
4. Gather the results and calculate a grade for your lab.
5. Send the results back to the server.

To run the autograder, you need to supply both of the following:

• the full path to the directory where your lab code resides, e.g., P:\cs256\lab4
• the full path to the directory containing the file tools.jar, e.g., P:\cs256.

You will also be asked for:

• your course number
• lab number
• userID

Your userID is the same ID you use to log into the SOU network.

You supply all information after you click to run the autograder.

Hints:

• In your java source code, please write all outputs that the autograder expects to see using

System.out.print()

Write all other outputs, including input prompts for the user to:

System.err.print()

• Do NOT use

"\n"

in the parameter you pass to println(). The autograder does not handle it correctly.

• Do NOT call

System.exit()

It kills your program and the autograder as well, so the autograder is unable to report your results to the server.

· If your program is required to read input from the user:

You must declare your Scanner variable in class level scope (outside of any method) as follows:

private static Scanner scan = new Scanner(System.in);

The autograder will throwing a NoSuchElement exception if you declare use a local variable to hold a reference to your Scanner object.

• The autograder does not work on the wireless network SOU-OpenNet. The autograder uses FTP to transfer files, but FTP is not supported on SOU-OpenNet. Borrow a wired connection and the autograder should work fine.
• The 'Output Log' window shows inputs, outputs, and expected results for each individual test. Use this window to help debug differences between your code and what the autograder is expecting.
• The test harness, PUT.java, will be downloaded into the directory where your lab code resides. This program will compile and run in JGrasp. You must click the 'Run Arguments' checkbox under JGrasp's 'build' menu and type a file name, e.g., t, into the 'Run Arguments' text box that appears just above the code window before clicking the run icon.
• You can run the test harness on only the portions of the lab you have completed by looking for calls to a method named test near the bottom of PUT.java. Comment out the calls to the parts of the lab you do not yet have written, recompile, type t in the Run Arguments text box, and click JGrasp's run icon to run the modified test harness.
• If the autograder reported that it submitted your lab and said "All DONE", your code and test results have been submitted, and I will eventually post your grade. If you are unable to get the autograder to work for you, please email me a screenshot of your autograder run, at the point it failed, and your code, so we can work out the problem.

Troubleshooting:

Running the autograder on a mac:

From Noah Soule (thanks, Noah):

Mac os10 has had it's security defaults changed so it no longer works to double click on the icon of ag.jar. 

First follow these instructions to change gatekeeper's preferences to allow apps from unidentified developers: 

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=how+to+change+security+preferences+on+mac+for+unidentified+developer

Then option click, right click, or two finger click (depending on how you have your mac set up) on the fresh copy of ag.jar you just downloaded from http://cs.sou.edu/~nordquip/ag/ag.html.

after option clicking on ag.jar select "open with" and select Jar.Launcher (default).

Ignore the warning and click "Open Anyway."

From Andrew Krug (thanks, Andrew):

The file tools.jar is called classes.jar on macs.  It can be found in a directory similar to /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.8.0/Classes/classes.jar file.

Drag classes.jar onto the desktop. This will make a copy.  Rename classes.jar to tools.jar.

Drag tools.jar back into /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.8.0/Classes/

A message box will pop up that states. "This folder cannot be modified." There will be two buttons.  "Okay" and Authenticate.  Select the Authenticate option.  Authenticate with your admin user name and password and it will copy your new tools.jar file into the Classes directory.

Run the autograder. 

Point the autograder at your files using the Unix path system.  If you are just using your Home Directory the path will look something like /Users/YourName/Documents/CS257 (Hint: Remember Unix is case sensitive)

Point to the new tools.jar file you just created by pasting in /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.8.0/Classes/ you have the option to leave off tools.jar or append it.  The autograder will automatically look for tools.jar in whatever director you point it at. 

Run the autograder like normal.

Notes on other issues. 

Best of luck to you. Please contact Pete Nordquist with questions or comments about the autograder. If you get exceptions that you do not understand, please copy the entire output log into an email message and send it to me. Thank you.

The autograder is licensed under the GNU GPL.
Click here for source code (in zip format) for the autograder.
Click here for a sample test harness.