This exam is an experiment. The good news is that rather than asking a few highly specific questions to probe your ignorance, I've formulated general questions that give you the best chance to tell me things you've learned. The bad news is that you have a greater responsibility to use your time wisely, spending it on ideas that you think are really important.

Attached you will find a Java solution to the ticket system you have just completed in C++. It works - that is, it meets the specifications - but it's a terrible solution - full of bad smells. (I had to hold my nose to write it.)

1. Draw a UML sequence diagram illustrating what happens to make this output appear (assume the ticket in question is already in the queue and is next to be served).

     ts-login> operator
     Ticket 4
     submitted: Wed Apr 09 10:09:13 EDT 2003
     by: eb
     priority: high
     second high priority ticket - should be served second
     closed: Wed Apr 09 10:09:14 EDT 2003
   

2. Study the code. Jot down some notes to yourself about the parts of the design you don't like. Then discuss what you would do to refactor it. I will judge your answer in part on the significance of the issues you choose to address and the strategies you suggest, including the order in which you would plan to make changes.

3. Discuss how the differences between C++ and Java influence the design and implementation of the ticket system.

4. Choose one short subject we studied this semester that you haven't yet discussed on this exam, invent a question about it and answer your question.