Computer Science Assignment Specifications Correct

Newsgroups thing of the past

Waterloo ON - The Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo announced the first ever correct computer science assignment specification.

The specification, for the first assignment in CS100, is 108 words long and contains only four letter verbs and adjectives. According to the press release, these words were limited to four letters or less since longer words such as 'reasonable', 'assumptions', and 'documentation' tended to confuse students too much.

"It certainly is an accomplishment." commented Ronald A. Dingo, senior specification writer. "Few other courses on campus have made as much progress as we have with this one assignment." Dingo continued. Dingo also hoped to use this advancement elsewhere throughout the University. "We hope to extend this level of four-letter sophistication to the University course calendar and all course web pages."

Ricki-Earnest Rolaid, Senior Associate Newsgroup Observer Specialist, was visibly shaken over the advancement. "It's an outrage", said Rolaid. "With such specifications, students will always know exactly what to do. What will happen to newsgroups? I won't be able to confuse anyone anymore!"

Newsgroup concerns were not the only concerns Rolaid expressed. "This whole correct specification idea is really coming at the wrong time.", continued Rolaid. "How are we to convince students that they are attending the best school when they can understand what we are saying?"

Students could be found celebrating in the streets following the announcement. One reveller asked, "What's a specification?" Another student was found answering the first questions of the assignment. "Wow! A computer science course where it's correct the first time around. Whod've thunk it? Look here. It says Put Name On Assignment. Simply amazing."

A meeting between Dingo, Rolaid, and the student who doesn't know what a specification is is scheduled for next Monday to discuss five and four digit standards for calculus and algebra courses.

Kevin Wan Min Kee