CSci A201/A597
Frequently Asked Questions on Lab #7

• General Questions
• Questions About Iguess2.java
• Questions About Cards.java

1. The solution for the Iguess program from lab 5 seems to be wrong - it tries larger numbers even if I say "s" as the first response.

   Well, the specification of the assignment was like this: if the number the computer guesses is too big, then the user responds with "b", then the computer guesses a smaller number, since the last guessed number was too big.

2. Although you say the machine should guess between 1 and 15, the machine still guesses 1. How come?

   I should have specified that the limits are inclusive. So 1 and 15 could be valid guesses in the above case. For this assignment, the user should guess a number between 1 and the upper bound, both inclusive. So, if the upper bound is 100, both 1 and 100 can be valid guesses.

1. I know how to generate a random number, but how do I generate things like Ace, King, Queen, Jack? Is there something like a randomString?

   Well, no, but you can generate a number between 1 and 13, and have an if statement after that which generates the proper string based on the number (i.e., generate "Ace" if the number is 1, etc.)

2. Can you give me some hints about how to organize my program?

   OK, here are a couple of things to consider:

   • Since aces are only worth 1 point, it's impossible to have a total score greater than 20 after being dealt the first two cards. That means that you don't have to check for an automatic win or loss after having only two cards in the hand. These checks only need be done after the player asks for a hit.

   • There are three conditions that must be fulfilled in order for the game to proceed: the total score must not exceed 21 (a loss), and the total score must not equal 21 (a win), and the player must have asked for a hit. This means that the condition in your while loop will probably be composed of several tests, connected with && or ||.

3. If the random total the dealer gets is equal to the total of the player, then who wins?

   In a tie situation, the player wins, not the dealer.

4. My BlackJack program gives prints the name of a numeric card spelled out. For example, I print
   You are dealt a seven.

   as opposed to

   You are dealt a 7.

   Do you prefer one way over the other?

   No. Either way is fine... whatever you prefer...