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A w-a-a-y busy Saturday...
Apr. 28th, 2012 09:25 pmAs I've mentioned before, I signed up for courses at udacity.com, both of which require a knowledge of the Python programming language. One course is basically an introduction to Python, using the example of building a small-scale search engine as a convenient way to introduce various aspects of the language.
The other course, on cryptography, also uses Python (especially in the homework assignments), but pretty much assumes a fair acquaintance with the language, so I'm feeling a little bit the way I did back in freshman year at the university, where Physics 101 was already using the calculus we we would learn in Math 102, which was the continuation of Math 101, which we were taking at the same time as Physics 101.
It made for some puzzling lectures.
One of the things I took away from my undergraduate days was the importance of doing the homework assignments. The homeworks tended to reflect what the prof considered important, and also tended to be a variation on a theme of stuff that would appear on midterms and finals. I found that even just trying to do what seemed to be impossible assignments would generally give me enough of an edge on tests to outperform classmates who didn't bother with the homework.
So, in the face of a fairly ambitious work schedule, I nevertheless decided to spend what turned out to be a couple of hours this morning tackling one of the homework problems whose answer involved coding in Python. And when I managed to get the "right" answer after only one major turn down a dead-end path, I have to admit, I was pretty jazzed. So much so, that I'm not going to feel that bad about not doing the last problem and the extra credit item.
After putting away my programming toys, I sat down and managed to translate over 5,500 words by the time 2 o'clock rolled around. Galina—who was online herself, taking some continuing education courses—then suggested we break for lunch, which we did. Around a quarter to three, I took off for the animal shelter, where I was able to decompress for a couple of hours and strengthen the skills I've been taught over the past six weeks. There were some other developments, more about which later, maybe. Thump!
The schedule I spent so much time putting together yesterday is changing, but in a good way. Tomorrow, unless my conscience starts to bother me again and I try to address the other coding homework problem, I ought to get into a good position for the coming week, which promises to be stressful.
Cheers...
The other course, on cryptography, also uses Python (especially in the homework assignments), but pretty much assumes a fair acquaintance with the language, so I'm feeling a little bit the way I did back in freshman year at the university, where Physics 101 was already using the calculus we we would learn in Math 102, which was the continuation of Math 101, which we were taking at the same time as Physics 101.
It made for some puzzling lectures.
One of the things I took away from my undergraduate days was the importance of doing the homework assignments. The homeworks tended to reflect what the prof considered important, and also tended to be a variation on a theme of stuff that would appear on midterms and finals. I found that even just trying to do what seemed to be impossible assignments would generally give me enough of an edge on tests to outperform classmates who didn't bother with the homework.
So, in the face of a fairly ambitious work schedule, I nevertheless decided to spend what turned out to be a couple of hours this morning tackling one of the homework problems whose answer involved coding in Python. And when I managed to get the "right" answer after only one major turn down a dead-end path, I have to admit, I was pretty jazzed. So much so, that I'm not going to feel that bad about not doing the last problem and the extra credit item.
After putting away my programming toys, I sat down and managed to translate over 5,500 words by the time 2 o'clock rolled around. Galina—who was online herself, taking some continuing education courses—then suggested we break for lunch, which we did. Around a quarter to three, I took off for the animal shelter, where I was able to decompress for a couple of hours and strengthen the skills I've been taught over the past six weeks. There were some other developments, more about which later, maybe. Thump!
The schedule I spent so much time putting together yesterday is changing, but in a good way. Tomorrow, unless my conscience starts to bother me again and I try to address the other coding homework problem, I ought to get into a good position for the coming week, which promises to be stressful.
Cheers...
