Computer Science

Jabatheblob1 · 2016-08-16 03:48:06

I am going to be a computer science major in about a month, any tips for me? Anything to learn before going in, anything i should be aware of? Anything helps

Onjit · 2016-08-16 03:52:04

Make sure you know how to turn your computer on.

hummerz5, Koya, kubapolish, Pyromaniac, Yandax, Raven

Evilbunny · 2016-08-16 03:53:43

Onjit wrote:

Make sure you know how to turn your computer on.

and off, in case something goes wrong

Onjit · 2016-08-16 03:54:32

Also ensure that you are well versed in the operation of both the keyboard and mouse.

Koya

hummerz5 · 2016-08-16 03:55:20

Let's see. Being able to type > 30 WPM would probably help, am I right?

source: am also going to be a cs student. joy!

Kaslai · 2016-08-16 03:58:21

Funposting aside, just know that copy/pasting things from the internet is a surefire way to go nowhere fast.

Your first 1/2 year or so of CS classes will be the weed-out classes, so if you can't live up to the expectations of the instructor, then feel no shame in dropping out (but it'll be even better if you persevere!).

Jabatheblob1 · 2016-08-16 04:25:18

I only have one computer science class my first term which is CS orientation. So i don't know how rigorous it will be. From talking to other students who did drop out at the school i am attending, they said that they didn't teach you how to program in python, but expected you to be able to code on the first day. Which isn't necessarily a problem with me, although i haven't programmed in python before, i feel like the syntax isn't all to different to c#.

Ratburntro44 · 2016-08-16 19:35:25

Kaslai wrote:

Funposting aside, just know that copy/pasting things from the internet is a surefire way to go nowhere fast.

gotta retype them by hand, it makes sure the formatting isn't messed up and you get typing practice

XxAtillaxX · 2016-08-16 19:44:46

I've seen a lot of computer science majors who are useless, and in turn make their degree useless.
If you want an actual job pertaining to your degree (i.e. not a code monkey), persevere knowledge and ability beyond your instructors.

Additionally, on the other end, just because you can program doesn't mean you understand computer science, it's an important, yet small part of the larger picture.

Helvi, AlphaJon

Kaslai · 2016-08-16 21:59:48

Ratburntro44 wrote:

Kaslai wrote:
Funposting aside, just know that copy/pasting things from the internet is a surefire way to go nowhere fast.
gotta retype them by hand, it makes sure the formatting isn't messed up and you get typing practice

The thing is, that's not even wrong. Manually copying code by re-typing it is one way to come to understand what it is that you're copying. It can actually be a really effective teaching tool for certain people.

rgl32, Ratburntro44

hummerz5 · 2016-08-16 23:42:51

^ the thing is, I haven't come across anyone who found benefit from blindly typing in the code. Sure, that means you had to read it at some point, but that doesn't ensure understanding.

Of course, I haven't seen too many people who were learning programming so eh

Kaslai · 2016-08-17 01:02:44

hummerz5 wrote:

^ the thing is, I haven't come across anyone who found benefit from blindly typing in the code. Sure, that means you had to read it at some point, but that doesn't ensure understanding.
Of course, I haven't seen too many people who were learning programming so eh

I speak from personal experience. I would literally print out the code for a whole program and type it back into the computer. The process taught me a ton of things about how the logic of various programs worked.

Of course, if you don't actually want to learn, you're not going to accomplish much by doing that. Forcing yourself to read through the code of a program character by character can inform the curious about how it works quite nicely, though.

hummerz5

Tako · 2016-08-17 06:50:16

It'll be boring at first, as the focus will be syntax and good habits. Then the focus will be problem solving, except the problems will be so simple that you don't actually feel rewarded, you feel like you've fiddled for 5 hours in order to produce something menial. It doesn't really become interesting until you get past the basics. Just keep that in mind, because at several points in time you'll probably want to die. Patience is key in higher computer science education.

AlphaJon

Battleborn · 2016-08-19 08:40:02

The most important thing you should keep in mind is that avoiding being infected with malware, adware or something like that. It is not so safe on the Internet, you'd better establish a good surfing habit to avoid them such as OMGApp, which is said to be one of malware!

Pyromaniac

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#1 2016-08-16 03:48:06

Computer Science

#2 2016-08-16 03:52:04

Re: Computer Science

#3 2016-08-16 03:53:43

Re: Computer Science

#4 2016-08-16 03:54:32

Re: Computer Science

#5 2016-08-16 03:55:20

Re: Computer Science

#6 2016-08-16 03:58:21

Re: Computer Science

#7 2016-08-16 04:25:18

Re: Computer Science

#8 2016-08-16 19:35:25

Re: Computer Science

#9 2016-08-16 19:44:46

Re: Computer Science

#10 2016-08-16 21:59:48

Re: Computer Science

#11 2016-08-16 23:42:51

Re: Computer Science

#12 2016-08-17 01:02:44

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