SE-1021 Software Development 2
Lab 5: Reaction Timer

Outcomes

• implement event-handling for a Graphical User Interface
• implement the ActionEvent interface in a nested inner class
• use the Timer class from javax.swing for generating periodic ActionEvents
• use the System clock to measure the time between events

You will complete the event handler for a program that randomly displays the names of colors on three different pushbuttons, and instructs the user of the app to push a button containing a specific color of text. The twist is that the buttons are randomly labeled "red" , "green", and "blue", but the color of the button text may be blue, red, and green. This conflict between colors and color names challenges your brain's ability to separate the text-processing from the color-processing in order for you to press the correct button. The program also "times out" after a specified period, after which a new mix of button text and colors appears. Points are scored for correct button presses, and deducted for incorrect presses or timeouts.

After 10 attempts, the program displays your total reaction time; that is, the time it took your brain to process and react to each directive concerning which button to press.

Project Setup

• First create the Lab5 project. Download this lab5.zip file; then follow these steps to import it :
  1. With the Lab5 project selected in the Package Explorer select File -> Import...
  2. From the Import dialog select General -> Archive File and click Next
  3. Click the first Browse button to and select the lab5.zip file you downloaded
  4. When you have selected the lab5.zip file click Open and then Finish to complete the import. You will see a folder named src in your project; right-click this folder, and select Build Path/Use this source folder from the context menu. Once part of the build path, you'll see two packages: edu.msoe.se1021.audio and edu.msoe.se1021.reactiontimer.YOURLOGIN.
• Rename the edu.msoe.se1021.reactiontimer.YOURLOGIN to match your MSOE username (see steps below). Do not modify the edu.msoe.se1021.audio package name.
  1. Select the package name in the package explorer
  2. Right-click and select Refactor -> Rename from the context menu
  3. Enter the new name and click OK

The lab5.zip file includes the following classes:

• ReactionApp.java -- A main class that simply serves as the launch point; it creates the UI. You do not have to modify this class.
• ReactionTimerUI.java - An JFrame-derived UI class that implements the user interface. This class itself is complete, but you have to add a nested inner EventHandler class (shown above in color) to handle events coming from the pushbuttons of the UI, as well as from the Timer. You also have to read through the code and comments so that you can understand the various attributes that you'll have to access/modify from within the EventHandler.
• ColorPlus.java -- A class that derives from the java.awt.Color class. You do not have to modify this class.
• WavPlayer.java -- Loads and plays a .wav file. You do not have to modify this class.

Details

    Follow the TODO comments in the ReactionTimerUI class. These comments indicate what you have to do to implement the EventHandler inner class and the event handling logic.

Lab Submission (due date in Blackboard)

1. Demonstrate your Reaction Timer app to your instructor. If you can't do this by the end of class, you must demonstrate it sometime during Office Hours before the following lab. You will not receive a grade until you provide this demonstration. Demonstrations after the due date will be considered a late submission.
    
2. Upload only your ReactionTimerUI.java file (containing both the ReactionTimerUI outer and EventHandler inner classes)through Blackboard (assignment "Lab 5: Reaction timer"). Be sure to keep copies of all your files, in case something gets lost.

Your grade will be based on the following criteria:

• Meeting requirements; your program must compile and run. If you have trouble, you must come to see me. If you don't and you submit a program that does not compile or produce meaningful results will receive a grade of no higher than 50, even after reworking your program.
   
• Technical quality of your program. Technical quality consists of formatting, commenting, and following coding style guidelines.
   
• Spelling and grammar.
   
• Timeliness of submission as stated in the course policies.