finishing the first term.
some reflections in the limbo.
on programming |
This will be a short post, because there’s not all that much substance I plan to include.
I finished my 11th course for this term, D194 (IT Leadership Foundations). It took longer than I expected since it’d been a while since I actually wrote an essay. I was updating my resume too, which took much longer than I thought.
Currently, I’m thinking about picking up Python again to prepare for the two data structures and algorithms courses. Java helped solidify some knowledge, so now I need to translate it into Python.
What I really appreciated myself doing this term was taking the time to go through C173, the Scripting and Programming Foundations course. Some may have passed it within a couple days. It took about five days for me, but I was sitting at the computer for three, four hours a day dedicated to just learning. I read through every single page in the ZyBook, and I’m so glad I did.
That was the missing component from my learning when I first started programming. I never caught on to those basic concepts. The book taught in “Coral”, which is just a language used for educational purposes (to teach programming concepts), but this simplification made it a lot easier to understand.
where do we go now? |
Like I said, I want to get into Python again.
There’s a lot that I want to try out, but I want to get into using Python. I enjoy the static typing of Java, the rigidity, but I know Python is more popular and “simpler” to look at.
I was considering taking on JavaScript, but I don’t know how much I want to do web development. It’s ironic considering that was my first taste of coding; using DreamWeaver CS3 when I was nine or ten years old, and taking web development class in high school where I coded everything in Notepad++.
where do we start? |
What I need to learn is syntax. I got the concepts down for the most part. I need to learn syntax without having every single programming concept explained. The theory is already in my brain.
I’ll pick back up either that Python class on Udemy that I was doing or use Pluralsight’s platform (access is included as a WGU student) and use the most popular class for it.
what do I want to do? |
Honestly, I don’t know.
Too many lofty ideas for projects. I don’t have enough successes behind my back to take them on.
My original intention with the computer science degree was to become a game developer. Or work on making video games. That might be the art or story of a game.
That intention still lingers as one of my farfetched goals is to turn Aistrex into an MMORPG that can make use of VR for immersion. However, I don’t know if that will ever be the case. Right now, I think just being able to write the stories of these characters is awesome.
That leaves me with a few choices. I could go back into web development, and make web applications. I would love to make something for Aistrex, but I don’t know what project I would take on to do so. In terms of things pertaining to the industry that actually interest me, I love the theory portion of computer science but I will need to sharpen my math skills if I go that route. Cybersecurity actually interests me, but I wouldn’t think that would involve as much coding, though, right?
What I need to remember is that this degree is just a degree. It isn’t my destiny. It echoes the same reason I chose a liberal arts degree for my associates: it is generic. It gives me time to do other things.
So, I will keep on thinking, and if I manage to think up something good, I’ll share it with you all.