Main > Software Forum
OT: Getting started into programming/other...
Agent Davis:
--- Quote ---What strikes me as odd is that their teaching java as an intro course?
--- End quote ---
Slight justification here. I didn't feel like typing out the whole course descriptions so I just typed what they contained. Yes, it does say java is taught. But this class is the first programming class you can take so I'm sure most of the class is just easing you into programming, letting you know what its about, etc.. and then giving you an intro into java, that's it. There is actually more advanced classes that you take as a specialty that are concentrations into all the various languages. The java taught in 201 is very basic, I'm sure.
That said, I'm sure the CIS department at OSU knows what it's doing. It is one of the top programs in the nation and requires a 3.2 just to major in.
The good news is I can take 201 which is an intro class, and I can also take 230 which teaches C++, intro level again basically. Would you all agree that that would be a good start for me? Neither of those require me to take any additional maths so it'll be real easy to take them. I think that taking these would give me a good feel for it to see if its something I would like to do. I can always be a continuing education student once I graduate. I'll be an Air Force officer upon graduation, and they'll pretty much pay for any kind of college I want to take.
Dave Dribin:
--- Quote ---The good news is I can take 201 which is an intro class, and I can also take 230 which teaches C++, intro level again basically. Would you all agree that that would be a good start for me?
--- End quote ---
If you've got the free time and credits, yes, go for it! Take advantage of all classes available to you while your at college. You'll learn more in a CS class than wasting an elective on bowling, for example. Sure, bowling is fun, but programming is fun, too. 8) These classes sound like they are targeted for just your sort: someone who is interested in programming but is not a CS major. In the worst case, you can drop the class after a few weeks if they're not what you expected. If you like the classes, who knows, you may switch majors. ;) I would not be put off by Java. It's one of the easier languages to learn. Like you said, OSU is a good school. I'm sure they know what they are doing and will present the material accordingly.
-Dave
Dave Dribin:
--- Quote ---but for embedded systems, its getting huge. Mainly because hardware changes faster then most software... and if you have everything in java, and the next cool little device comes out and you can use it. Or when a cheaper solution comes out.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, it's pretty amazing just how many Java enabled mobile phones and devices are gonna be in circulation in the upcoming year. So far there haven't been any "real" J2ME applications written, and it may go the way of WAP. But like you said, it can make supporting many different platforms very easy. You won't have to worry about porting from a Motorola to a Nokia to a Blackberry.
I think many embedded apps still use C and even assembly. Embedded devices cover so many areas these days, it's hard to make many generalizations about embedded programming.
--- Quote ---For enterprise solutions... MS still doesn't have one. They talk about it, but people don't use it.
--- End quote ---
Yes, .Net is still vapor-ware for the most part. And C# is basically a rip-off of Java, anyways.
--- Quote ---btw, my favorite language is still Obj-C. An object oriented layor on top of C added in all GCC versions. I used it in NextStep/OpenStep for years. You could do so much it was cool. TONS of things were well thought out and done well.
--- End quote ---
I've never done any Obj-C coding, but I've always been interested in it. Does Apple use Obj-C for the Carbon API on Mac OS X? I know they stole a lot from Next, but I don't know if it was APIs or just ideas.
--- Quote ---As for the Dont spend money on an IDE! Yeah, don't. There are some GREAT FREE ONES!
--- End quote ---
Call me old-fashioned, but I'll take a good text editor like Emacs over an IDE any day. I think that is mostly because I do not do any GUI programming, though. But to each their own. :)
-Dave
)p(:
Very interesting stuff...I am also thinking about learning to program a bit better...what would you all recommend me as a next step...
I have done lots off 6502 assembly programming in the past as a hobby in highschool...when I went to the university I lost interest and since I started Emulaxian I discovered I still love it. The scripting language of Director came very easy to me. Then I played around some bit with VB, Delphi and C. Of those I liked Delphi for the ease and consistency and C because it felt most like the assembly I used to do. I also want to checkout java... I think I have to decide to choose one and stick with it because for me it is just a hobby and I will not have time to get really into more.... So what would you recommend for a serious hobbyist
Agent Davis:
--- Quote ---You'll learn more in a CS class than wasting an elective on bowling, for example.
--- End quote ---
Yes and no. I've made up my mind that from here til I graduate I'm going to take a sport elective every quarter. Next quarter it's softball (I absolutely love softball, and I'm not too shabby) AND Judo. Just a credit hour each. I am such a rounded individual that I must stay active. Staying active is very healthy. Athletics are a great way to be healthy and be happy. That said, I get your point... Future employers probably aren't going to care how much softball I played (unless it's a professional softball team that's employing me, hehe.
Anyway, I'm glad I started this thread... seems to have opened up a lot of good discussion... ;D
Now if I can only convince the academic counselors that the two computer classes could take the place of two of my crim or poli sci classes, hehe (truthfully though knowledge in computers is every bit as vital in the real world as learning social stratification or the political system in russia, etc...). I'll probably take the two courses Pass/NonPass since I already am going to have way more than enough electives due to ROTC to graduate. Thanks for the responses guys.
BTW, Dave... Awesome front-end. It has the prestigious honor of being the front end of choice for Arcade Command, which will be making its grand appearance FINALLY within the next month. I've done so much to this cab, it's beautiful. Can't wait to show it to you guys.