Loops Come Easy

If you asked me which concept in the AP CompSci course that I have really understood so far, it would hands down be loops. For loops, While loops, and Nested loops. Somehow they come easy to me. Compared to other subjects of the course which were really hard for me to 'grasp', I understood loops almost right way. I don't really know how this happened, but it did.

In some ways it just seems purely mathematical. So algebraic. I find loops much easier than writing methods or constructing objects. It's almost like I've done it before but at the same time it's all new. The coding in this course started to became simpler when we began if statements. Allow me to explain how I understand if statements and loops.

Something algebraic, like (y = 2x) is much of like an if statement: if y = n, x = 2n. When I took algebra in seventyh grade, I loved the new concept of a variable, and when something so simple is applied in this course, I am once again interested.

And aren't loops just expanded if statements?

for(int n=1, n<4, n++)
{
out.print(n);
}

n equals 1. If n is less than 4, print it. After printing, add 1 to n. If n is still less than 4, print it...and so on.

This is the process I compute when I see a loop. It's so simple and rational. Throughout my life I have always been a "math" person. Math is my thing. How I see it, there is a "math" part of java, which is understanding the processes of codes within the programs. For example, knowing how a nested loop runs.

There is also a "vocabulary" part of java. Knowing which codes are appropriate for building a program. Codes are like words. In order to work with java, you need to know these "words" and their "definitions", or what they do and how they do them. (One must also spell these words correctly or they won't work!) Here's the important part: A good vocabulary means nothing if you don't have the grammar skills to communicate.

Example: James learned a new word today: "a·mel·io·rate" - to make or become better. He wants to impress his teacher by using this big word. His teacher asks him about his day. James replies. "I had a very ameliorate breakfast today." His teacher gives him a puzzled look.


The problem is that James may understand the word, but he doesn't know how to use it correctly in a sentence. A similar story can happen in java. James may know the codes, or "vocabulary", and understand them, but doesn't know how to use them correctly in context. I like to call it "Java grammar".


So what does this all have to do with loops? After learning loops, there was a turning point for me in the AP CompSci course. Because the concept came so easily to me, I was able to have a better understanding of the vocabulary and grammar that was surrounding this little math. Forgive me for making one more comparison, but it's like learning a mathematical equation and later learning how it is applicable in the real world.


Before loops I wasn't very confident in the material that I was learning. Sure, I could type the codes and run the program, but I wasn't really grasping the bigger picture.

Use Old CDs as Driveway Reflectors

I thought this was smart! http://lifehacker.com/5660367/use-old-cds-as-driveway-reflectors I found this on lifehacker. This is a practical use for old cd's, and if I had a winding driveway, I'd surely use my old CDs as driveway reflectors! How neat!

AP Comp Sci

I must say, I did enjoy one of the labs this week. It was the triangle lab. I liked this lab because it was the first time that the output required my input in the program. It was something so little, but it seemed cool. Another part of this lab I liked was creating a formula for the area of a triangle by using the links of its sides. Wikipedia held the answer and I found Heron's formula. Suprisingly, it wasn't too difficult for me to put in this long formula. A few trial and errors and it worked! I liked to tinker with the code a little, adding units to the output message.

66% of All Windows Users Still Use Windows XP

 I found this statistic interesting. I found the link on Slashdot to the original article: http://www.conceivablytech.com/3227/business/66-of-all-windows-users-still-use-windows-xp/


 This article talks about how 2/3 of Windows users are happy with Windows XP and see no need to upgrade. I agree with the 66%. The OS I am using now is a recent version of Suse. My other computer is a Windows XP Home Edition. I use the Suse because it is fast and I use the XP because it is versatile. It's not the best, but I don't see the need to upgrade to Windows 7. Sure it would be faster, but it is not a necessity.

Maybe when the big black tower holding my XP kicks the bucket or becomes completely obsolete, I'll upgrade to a new computer with Windows 7. Or maybe I'll buy a Mac.

AP Comp Sci Progress

I am begining to learn and understand more codes in JCreator, such as the print code and some of the method codes. It was interesting to me to learn some of the applicable methods, especially the math functions.

The one thing I haven't understood is what the "output" is. At the bottom of JCreator, there's that white box that says "Prossess complete" and then whatever is printed shows up. Why is it called "print" and what does the output do? Why does it show up at the bottom in the white space instead of in a new window? Is JCreator like a proxy for codes? And when does the output show up somewhere else. I'm just a little confused on this.

Understanding the codes, not just knowing that they work, is what really would engage and interest me in the class. I will say that I am feeling more optimistic about the class than I did two weeks ago.

How to Create the Ultimate Exercise Playlist

Lifehacker.com, one of the blogs I have subscribed to, posted something I found interesting. "How to Create the Ultimate Exercise Playlist" was an article about how the BPM of music influences athletic performance. I listen to music when I exercise myself, and I knew this already. The blog post mentioned that there was a study done last year that showed that faster music resulted in better performance on a stationary bike. (I actually have one of these at home)

The article goes on to describe how to build the "Ultimate Exercise Playlist" using BPM detection programs and then sorting your songs by tempo on iTunes. I will definitely keep this in mind next time I'm on my stationary bike, and I'll probably create a playlist of my own.

Four Weeks Of CompSci

It has been one month since school started. The class that I am most out of tune with is AP CompSci. I am almost totally disconnected to this class.

So far I've been able to do a few things in JCreator. I copy and paste a code from one file into another and I make a chicken say "cluck-cluck". I think the only thing I've memorized is fill.oval and draw.oval. The rest of the codes slip my mind. Where are these codes coming from? What is java?

I honestly do not understand what this class is doing for me. I try to arrive fifth period eager to learn, but there is so much that I am missing.

Please tell me the context of all these codes. If I don't understand the context of what java is doing, this class means absolutely nothing to me. I'm copying and pasting codes. So far, JCreator has been nothing but rudimentary comprehension.

AP Computer Science So Far

Summer said goodbye just three weeks ago. It's now my senior year, and I need this technology credit. In the short time I've been enrolled in AP Computer Science, I have learned very little. This new "java" thing is not easy for me to comprehend. I look at the codes, I run the file, and JCreator rationally processes what is commanded.

The problem is, I haven't learned to apply myself into Computer Science. I can't fit in the little black box in front of me. I will try to wrap my head around these concepts, but thus far I have not seen what I can do with the skills I am learning. What can I do?

Yes, I understand how necessary computer science is in my life. But where does it all fit in my world? In the human world? I am by no means being sarcastic or pessimistic about this class. On the contrary, I want to know why. Not just mindlessly doing the labs. Why?