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tags: resources
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# TA Hours Guide

We expect that you have read this guide before attending TA hours.

## Types of Hours

We will have 3 kinds of TA hours in this class (debugging, conceptual, group conceptual). Please read and learn about each kind of hours before attending. This will help you tailor the help you receive and avoid long queues.

## Debugging Hours
1. We expect that you have read the assignment handout before signing up for debugging hours.
2. You must come to debugging hours with a question. You will be put back in the queue if you are claimed and do not have a specific question that you want help on. The more specific you are, the easier it is for TAs to guide you or help you locate your bug faster!
3. Reread the assignment. Sometimes one overlooked detail can make the difference between a complete solution and a broken one! Remember to keep the end goal in mind as you write up your answer.
4. If you are coming to hours for debugging help:
* We expect that you have read the [debugging guide](https://hackmd.io/ev3KZaomTeysgDpxLA-UdQ?view) and have already attempted to debug the problem on your own! You must be able to show to the TA what you’ve done so far. If you are not able to provide an example of the issue that you’re running into and the steps you have taken to debug on your own, then we will only be able to provide you with conceptual help.
* Identify what tests are failing and let your TA know so they know what the issue is.
* Properly name your variables! This reduces the effort needed to understand your code.
5. Once you are claimed and the TA has let you into their zoom call, the TA will be able to help you for a strict maximum of 15 minutes.
6. Look at FAQ on Ed before coming to hours make sure to maintain this for each assignment!

:::info
**Examples of questions for debugging hours:**

Hi! I have a bug in my code. I can't figure out where it is, and I've tried several methods to figure it out.

Hi, I have something wrong with this for loop, but I can't figure out what exactly is wrong about it. It prints incorrect results. Can you help me with it?
:::

### Debugging Hours Sheet Logistics

1. Sign-ups for debugging hours will open **15 minutes before hours start**. The queue will be randomized once the hours start, so don't worry if you can't get there early.
2. Complete the [form](https://forms.gle/vDrRap4xQsNVcGN86), which signs you up for hours.
3. Once you've completed the form, you can check the status of the queue on this [sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lEWB4YrPMM0VoVCYg9jsjRKgFvJ4cyFcM0Er87J1WMo/edit#gid=0).
4. When you are claimed, if you're in person the TA will call your name or if you're on Zoom you should join the Zoom call of the TA that claimed you. While waiting, take a minute to [get ready](#Debugging-Hours) to meet your TA!

## Conceptual Hours

1. Conceptual hours are only for conceptual help. We will *not* help you with your code at these hours.
2. Because we don’t look at individual student’s code during conceptual hours, we are able to help multiple students at a time during conceptual hours. This means that there will often not be a line for conceptual hours (and so the wait will be shorter!)

:::info
**Examples of questions for conceptual hours:**

Hi! I don't know how to get started on this homework. What should I do?

I'm working on a homework about lists. I'm not sure if I have a correct conceptual idea about lists, could you help me check my understanding?

I want to work through examples and plan a solution for *x* problem.
:::

## Group Conceptual Hours (First 2 Weeks)

1. To help you become comfortable with the class, we are holding ~special~ group conceptual hours for the first 2 weeks of class (until HW2 comes out).
2. In these hours, code can be looked at as a group. This does *not* mean that you can come to these hours with nothing written! You must have the problem you're working on mostly complete before you start sharing with others.
3. The collaboration policy is loosened a bit during this time to help you get comfortable more with with the syntaxes of the new languages.

:::info
**Examples of questions for group conceptual hours:**

Hi! Can we talk through this question from Homework 1a?

Hi! I have a bug in my code from Homework 1b.

My code for Homework 1c is not compiling. What's going on?
:::

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*Please let us know if you find any mistakes, inconsistencies, or confusing language in this or any other CS200 document by filling out the (mostly) [anonymous feedback form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdFzM6mpDD_1tj-vS0SMYAohPAtBZ-oZZH0-TbMKv-_Bw5HeA/viewform?usp=sf_link)!*