Automated Code Evaluation at Classroom Scale Using GitHub Actions

The Challenge

Grading 120+ Java assignments manually every week is unsustainable. Each submission requires compilation, execution against test cases, and feedback generation. This project automates the entire pipeline.

System Architecture

CI/CD Pipeline

name: Java Assignment Evaluation
on:
  push:
    branches: [main]
jobs:
  evaluate:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      - name: Set up JDK 17
        uses: actions/setup-java@v3
      - name: Compile
        run: javac *.java
      - name: Run Tests
        run: java -jar junit-platform.jar

Key Components

1. Automated Compilation - Catches syntax errors immediately 2. Test Suite Execution - Runs predefined test cases 3. Result Dashboard - Cloudflare Pages deployment for instant feedback

Impact

Zero manual grading for routine assignments

Instant feedback for students

Scalable to any class size

Lessons Learned

Building for real classroom constraints taught me more about systems design than any theoretical exercise.