Week 6. Last LA

This week was the most fun for me. We had a lot of freedom in choosing our projects and I chose one that had to do with my interests, which propelled me to work harder. My project was code for a robot that would ask for a direction of the nearest zombie and tell the motors to do something, then kill it. The first couple of days were challenging because I could not get JOPtionPane to work, but after that it was all downhill and there were few compiling problems. I tried to make the program like I said I would and I pretty much did. I am very proud of my project and exited to write more programs in the future. I think that this was good practice for me and Kevin to write code for our robot in Robotics Club. I am also very glad that summer school is over because now I don't have to worry about anything when I go camping and on other outings. I had a great experience in this class and I think I will continue programming in the future.

Week 4: Mr. Ragland's Java Problems

This week Mr. Ragland gave us different problems that we had to write code for. I thaught this was extremely challenging. My strategy was to write the code, compile it, and then fix it based on what the error message was. Although I was using my iphone for internet and my computer to type, compile, and run the code, I managed to complete two of them. For me, the key to completing these problems with the trial and errot method was just to be patient and have a mindset that over time, I would finally succeed. To me, completing the problems was a great accomplishment, which makes this week the most challenging yet rewarding week so far.
Mr. Ragland: Sorry this is late. I totally thought that I had done this weeks blog already. O well :(

Week 5: CodingBat

This week was another fun week of completing problems from codingbat. We were supposed to complete as many problems as we could from the Warmup-2, Arrays-1, and Logic-1 sections. Many of the problems were difficult and while I figured out how to do a lot of them, some problems are still very confusing to me.

The Warmup-2 section was the most challenging. The main part of this section was loops which I find very difficult. I completely understand how to create a loop and how the loop works, but the most challenging part is figuring out what code to write afterwards. I, unfortunately, only completed a couple of problems in this section.

The Arrays-1 section was pretty strait foreward, but when a problem required a loop, it suddenly became more tricky. Other than using loops, I really liked this section.

The Logic-1 section was the easiest for me. I didn't really need to learn new skills other than what we learned the first codingbat week. I really enjoyed this section because all of the problems remind me of riddles. Before you start, you have to think of how to accomplish the task. I love logic problems and riddles, so this section was the most fun for me.

Turtles

During most of this week I was at Boy Scout camp, but during the periods of time where I was not canoeing, kayaking, and snorkeling, I played with Turtles. At the beginning of the week I had a lot of problems with compiling the galapagos folder. At first I tried using "Eclipse", but talking back and forth with Mr. Ragland, I realized that I needed to use javac in "Terminal". At this point I gave up and decided to try again when I came back.

After camp I was vcry excited to see that I was not very far behind. And after looking at fellow students' posts, I succesfulluy compiled and ran the Turtle Program and constructed the smiley face. I think that the hardest part of this whole mission was not acually creating the face, but just getting the stupid program to work. It was very frusterating for me in the beginning of the week because I really wanted to get ahead. I am glad that everything turned out okay.

2nd Week Blog for Intro to Programming

This week I learned a lot about java. At CodingBat I completed many warm-up exercises and even more string exercises. I learned how to write boolean, string, and int programs. The first problem I did on CodingBat was pretty confusing, but after I saw how to do it, they were all pretty simple. The string problems were very easy for me because I did some string problems in the warm-up exercises. I enjoy doing these exercises because everyone is like a riddle and you have to think of how to solve them.

I am currently working on making smiley face, but I don't really know how to run the turtle program that Mr. Ragland told us to download. I feel like I have no idea what I am doing. I am having trouble with the java compiler, but I guess I will just keep on trying. I want to get this done before I go to Scout camp tomorrow. I think this is the most confusing part of everything we have don this week.

FIrst Intro to Programming Blog

The first week of Intro to Programming was different than what I expected. It is pretty easy but I learned that you do have to be aware of what is going on. From Wednesday to Friday, I was camping and when I came back, there was a lot of work waiting for me. Additionally, I forgot to write this blog until Mr. Ragland sent us a message to do the blog. I will try to be more aware of what is going on.

The first couple assignments were pretty easy. It only took me around two minutes to write about my best and worst teachers. Also, using Animoto, my introduction was pretty simple. The Hello World project was pretty confusing, but after downloading Eclipse and looking at a tutorial, I did it.

The discussion boards seem to help me a lot. Other people's problems helped me figure out what to do. Also most people in this class are very helpful and quick to answer questions. Leon seems very knowledgeable about programming and he is very helpful.

Next week I am going to Scout camp. I do not know how or if I will be able to catch up with everything that went on during this week, but I will talk to Mr. Ragland and I am sure that I will manage.