School Books (C++)

[cyberskydive 0]

I just got my books for next quarter and I would like some opinions from some of ya...

First of all, last quarter was Visual Basic 6. The one question I keep asking myself from the getgo is "why are we still learning VB6 stead of .net? I wondered this even more so when throughout the quarter we dont even use the book, but instead spend all day on the MSDN website because the code in the book is lame ex: open() to open files stead of scripting.fso, but then that is lame too because there is .net now-lol So I happily plod along wondering when I'm gonna be able to learn .net etc blah blah.

Now my C++ book, and my GUI Design one as well, are both freakin old-lol. The C book is "Probelm Solving with C++, The object of programming using Visual C++ 6.0" by Walter Savitch, 2nd ed. Almost 3 years old and there is a FOURTH edition already out-lol

Dont get me wrong, I'm excited to get to take these classes (a sure sign of the gradual decline of my life ;)) But with the emergence of .NET & C# etc where does that leave me? Back where I was at the beginning? Learning courtesy of Barnes & Noble? Then why am I in school? -lol

Anyhow any opinions you have on this and/ or similar experiences to share would be 'preciated
...I'd especially like to hear what some other school are teaching.....

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[PhillyKev 0]

Doesn't matter what languages you learn in school, by the time you get out there will be something new out anyway. What you'll find in the real business world though is that there are tons of older VB, C, and even power builder apps that need to be maintained.

The bottom line is that you're getting into a field where you have to almost relearn everything every couple of years or so if you want to stay competetive. What you want to get out of school is the knowledge of the basics and an understanding of how this stuff works so that when you go out in the real world you have the ability to adapt to what is needed.

[bivar 0]

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What you want to get out of school is the knowledge of the basics and an understanding of how this stuff works so that when you go out in the real world you have the ability to adapt to what is needed.

Listen to this man. Couldn't have said it any better myself.

BI

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[Sinkster 0]

I take it you are in computer science right? If this is the case you are supposed to be learning to be a computer scientist, and not a VB.net programmer or C++ code monkey.

The renowned computer scientist Edsger Dijkstra put it best when he said "Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes." It's all about theory and abstract concepts that can be applied to ANY language or programming paradigm--be it functional, object oriented, logical, etc. You don't need a computer to make them work.

Granted, most people take computer science to get a job programming, but programming is only one aspect of understanding computation. I can almost promise you that someone who went to a vo-tech style school knows at least much about the syntax of Java (for example) as me (if not much more). However, can the average vo-tech student write their *own* language and compiler and then write an operating system with that? Could they even assemble a hardware based calculator from scratch with its own memory? Do they understand how MS Access (heh) works on the lowest level with its data structures and how to write their own should the need arise?

A good "vo-tech" style coder can do a lot of stuff and be very productive, and churn out what I call "Assembly Line Code". However, few could re-invent the assembly line itself.

It is that sort of thing that computer science in its purest form is about. Don't just go to learn a language. Go to learn how to know them all. Even before you see them. The syntax and semantics will just be filling in details.

I write this as a senior in computer science about to graduate this december although I am most likely going to go to grad school in philosophy (not a path I would ever advise unless you can't live without going to grad school in philosophy (e.g. the job prospects are slim and it is a long, 'poor' road, but worth it for those who love it enough to accept that.))

[Meathorse 0]

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What you want to get out of school is the knowledge of the basics and an understanding of how this stuff works so that when you go out in the real world you have the ability to adapt to what is needed.

exactly! Took 2 years of classes then went right out and got myself a programming job (which I should be doing right now). It's the way of thinking you develop that really needs to stick. Almost everything I learned about the languages themselves is out the window and it's only been a year. Of course... I suppose that's bound to happen when you go to a podunk school called State Fair Community College

My C++ and VB6 textbooks are collecting dust in a file cabinet behind me as we speak.

[DTOXX 0]

Agreed.
I am taking school sort of back asswards. I have ALL of the requirements for my Comp Sci degree and am now finishing up the general education requirements. It IS the thought process that is developed and not the actual programming language. You will find that most VB work will be in VBA anyway. Most C++ work is knowing the process and not the actuall deep workings. ALA Code Monkey work. (love that phrase)
As a Comp Sci grad you will be looking at either systems or solutions to problems. You will most likely not be writting any code or at least not "in depth" code.
Signed:
DT Holder
Software Analyst
Contracted to Occidental Petroleum

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D.T. Holder
SIMstudy

[freeflir29 0]

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State Fair Community College

Val wanted me to ask if they had cotton candy machines there?

[Zennie 0]

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Granted, most people take computer science to get a job programming, but programming is only one aspect of understanding computation.

Yepper.

Computer Science is more about logical thought and problem-solving than anything else.

Languages are just tools.

Give me a person who has exceptional analytical skills and no language experience over the language guru who can't think a problem completely through.

I can teach the analytical thinker the API and syntax. I can't teach the language god how to problem-solve.

- Z
"Always be yourself... unless you suck." - Joss Whedon

[SudsyFist 0]

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I can teach the analytical thinker the API and syntax. I can't teach the language god how to problem-solve.

took the words right outta my mouth.

AND HOW!

steve

[Meathorse 0]

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Val wanted me to ask if they had cotton candy machines there?

Yes, but I never took that class

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[Sinkster 0]

You hiring anytime soon?

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[cyberskydive 0]

Thanks for the cool replies everyone, I've learned alot!!

hey! we have a popcorn machine!-lol

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