And you thought you were busy?

Just a quick update to my last post. I completed my spring semester and passed all of my classes. So I’ve successfully navigated through Java 1, Agile Programming Methodology (Using Ruby on Rails), XML (DOM, SAX, XHTML), and PHP/MYSQL!

I am by far not finished learning ANY of these languages as they are all excellent and have their uses. Let’s just say this semester was getting my feet wet.

In retrospect, I certainly have a ton of work to do to master each of these. Along with working them, I also dusted off my HTML, graphics work, javascript, and picked up a new skill (CSS).

I have all of my textbooks for next semester, but I need to also find time to dive into them and get some of that knowledge under my belt before the semester starts. I’d like to do better this semester than I did the last one.

Now, as for this summer and blogging…. Mid June is going to be terrible for me as I am leaving for a 4 day excursion w/family. July is looking slightly better, and August I am taking another trip w/family. That means to you (the few of you there are) that I am going to continue my sporadic blogging.

I did want to pass along a link that I received for an IDE geared for MAC OS X called Coda. For a VERY limited time, Panic Inc (the company that makes Coda) is offering their products for 50% off what they normally sell them for.

If you go here, you’ll find more about it. I am about to download the demo and see for myself what the fuss is all about. I have also recently picked up Komodo Edit and I love their Windows IDE product. It’s worth finding something you like and sticking to it.

Wow, with April upon us you have to be asking yourself: “What is this guy doing that’s keeping him so busy from writing?”

The answer is simple:

1. In my java class we are working on using Abstract methods in our programming. These are, simply put, place markers in parent classes that are invoked generally in child classes. Our final Java exam is an app test and I am trying to make sure all my coding knowledge is committed to a thumb drive so that when I go in, I have my base experience to call back on.
2. Agile Methodology (in which we’re learning Ruby on Rails) we are set to begin our final project in which I code a ecommerce site based on my partners specifications. We are doing final demos of our current project today and tomorrow.
3. XML. We are working on XSLT (XML Style Sheets) and this marks the turning point in understanding the complexities of XML.
4. PHP. We’re pretty much working on MYSQL connectivity issues as we’ve gone away from web site rendering to the functional aspects of setting up a php server and having it connect  to a database.
5. My first SkyWarn exercise/drill is tonight, so I have to review some documentation on the planning. Of course, since everything is subject to change at a given notice, all my reading my be in vain.
6. This week there is plenty of things going on at both of my dojos. I have new Katas(Sayaws)|[Forms] to learn as well as videography of one of my dojos. I need to dump whatever videos I have onto my computer, and prepare for a 5 hour session at Shuri-Te.  Then come back and go to my Arnis class on Friday.

Next week is a tad lighter on the schedule, but with Easter coming Sunday, and driving to my in-laws place, I need to get on the ball with my coding that will likely be due Monday.

It won’t be long and May will be here. Once that happens, and school is out, I can get to work on writing more articles about skills/tricks I’ve discovered while developing.

BTW, if you haven’t checked out my main site, please do so. If you know of anyone looking for a developer intern over the summer, drop me a line as well. Thanks!

I’m busy winding down the pre-spring break projects. Mid terms are nice for a couple of reasons:

1. They let you know you’re half way done.
2. You get over a week off.
3. Fall registration is getting closer, and I can look beyond this semester.

I only had 1 midterm exam, and that was a take home test in Java. It was only a 2 hour coding process because we had to have a driver and class file that prompted a user for a book name, dollar amount, qty ordered. Then, you had to calculate based off the qty, and dollar amount, what the total cost was. It’s a  fairly painless process.

All of my other classes had either written chapter exams, or chapter app/debugging tests.

Upon reflecting at the 4 languages+ that i’m learning, one would think that it’s hard to keep them all straight. On some days, that can be the case. Especially when you’re new to everything, and have never seen the syntax of any of this. While program assignments attempt to lay out loose requirements, you never know if you did it right, only that the expected output is what was asked from you.

This is where it helps to have some spare time after class to sit down with other students and talk about how they coded that very same project. I’m not kidding when I saw that the number of students you talk to directly relates to how many different answers you can get. No one student does it the same way (unless they are working with a partner).

I am taking a break at the moment from doing my PHP assignments as I have family matters to deal with, on top of my martial arts class tonight.

Thanks for reading today!