View Single Post
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 10-04-2008, 18:09
Danny Diaz's Avatar
Danny Diaz Danny Diaz is offline
Smooth Operator
AKA: FrankenMentor
None #0418
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 545
Danny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond reputeDanny Diaz has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Danny Diaz
Re: programming prep

Quote:
Originally Posted by Damien1247 View Post
The above warning noted, programming concepts are pretty much universal as is the thought process of developing an algorithm ... If they have experience in other languages often they can pick up C relatively easily. I have found that most people don't struggle as much with the syntax as they do the concept of programming in general.
... people who know FORTRAN can program FORTRAN in any language.

Sorry, couldn't help myself there. Yes, you're right, the biggest challenge is learning how to develop algorithms with the tools you're given - for example, an elegant solution in C definitely does NOT always transfer well to other languages like JAVA, LabVIEW, or PERL (and vice versa); however, the process of learning to create those algorithms is the heart of the issue.

With that, the best thing you can do is just practice. When I started learning algorithm development in C, I actually picked up some ACM programming challenges and tried to solve them. Once I thought I knew how to solve them, I would talk to others and they would give other solutions. The thing you want to do is expose yourself to as many problem-solving techniques as possible, and the ACM programming challenges are my favorite. Too bad I never joined ACM.

-Danny
__________________
Danny Diaz
Former Lead Technical Mentor, FRC 418