Nov 01 2009
Internet,
Project 6 is done. Had a little trouble on the recursive solver, but got it done. Had some silly mistakes.
Here is TestSudoku.out.
Goodnight,
Chad
Oct 19 2009
Internet,
So, I am going to write about the test. Downing likes feedback, and I think I may actually have some this time. First, I felt the test was too long. Now, before anyone starts flaming about this, let me qualify what I mean. I am a slow test taker, regardless of whether or not I know a certain item. Even if I instantly recall something, I still think through it slowly. With this test, I did not have enough time to think through my all my answers. This is against what tests are meant for. A good test will evaluate what you know, not how fast you can take it. What is the point in looking at a students responses if they do not adequately reflect what he is thinking? I guess I just think that if you aren’t given enough time to think at your own speed, then you aren’t being tested on what you really know.
Second, I actually read the chapters this time and they weren’t on the test.
Third, I really liked how the format of the “struct A” questions were essentially the same style as many of the quizzes. I was already prepared for those questions as a result of showing up to class and paying attention as we went over the quizzes.
Finally, I think that the test would have been fine if there were just 15 minutes more.
Hopefully, I made a B. I already know I made mistakes on the Queue simply because I didn’t have enough time to go back and check my modulus’.
Farewell,
Chad
Oct 18 2009
World Wide Web,
Got started on this late…unfortunately, I had like a million or so tests, so this was low priority.
So, function pointers… nifty little creatures. The syntax for them is about as ugly as that duckling from mother goose. However, now I know exactly how to do what I wanted to do at work over the summer. I was attempting to make a test suite for testing CUDA functions and getting back performance data. I couldn’t quite get the thing right because I needed someway of calling the function with a variable number of arguments. Due to the reading and discussion on function pointers, I believe I can now do this.
I am also putting off the allocator project until Sunday. Godspeed.
-Chad
Oct 18 2009
Internet,
My project post is here. Very annoying assignment… relatively low level. I’m pretty sure I like the standard allocator better. I have been strong-armed into appreciating it now. Woo.
Here is TestAllocator.out. Have a great rest of the night internet!
Night,
Chad
Oct 04 2009
Interwebs,
My project post is here. Definitely did not finish this as soon as I thought. I overestimated the complexity of the assignment. Well…actually, I underestimated my ability to think today. Just a bunch of silly mistakes that kept me from my 2 hour goal. And hunger. Which reminds me…I think I’m going to go get some.
Here is TestMatLab.out. Have a great rest of the night internet!
Pleased with the project,
Chad
P.S. I think I’ve gotten this turnin thing to an art now. It took maybe only 20 mins. *Knocks on wood.
Oct 04 2009
Internet,
Week 6 has arrived. I was pleased to find out that Downing cleaned up the turnin procedure a little. Still takes a while, but definitely uncomplicated it.
We are learning some really really subtle things about C++ that I have not even considered, I guess because they don’t come up too often. However, this is good seeing as when they do come up, I will be ready. The class is starting to remind me of a very good book I started reading over the summer at work, called Effective C++, Third Edition, 2005 written by Scott Meyers. At the labs, one of my mentors lent me his copy and suggested I read it while I had downtime.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is going to be doing any serious C++ work in the future, whether it be at a job or just for fun. It has a whole arsenal of ways in which you can keep yourself from making mistakes. Indeed, it will also give you a much fuller understanding of the language.
Off to write my project blog post,
Chad
Sep 28 2009
Interbutts,
Week 5 was great. My favorite day of the year happened - career expo. I love talking to all the companies. Although I really didn’t need to go, I still had fun. This summer, I will probably be working at Sandia National Laboratories again. I had such a great experience there that I have no reason not to go back. With so many different opportunities in one place, I didn’t think any other companies could really offer me a better opportunity. After attending the expo, I found that I was correct.
Downing’s analogy concerning const was awesome. Probably the most memorable thing I will hear this semester.
The default parameter syntax I was already familiar with. However, the crazy redefinition stuff where you can add new default parameters was insane. I would like to see an actual application of such craziness.
Other then that, I havn’t really seen anything too difficult to grasp. Did well on the test, so I guess all is well.
Adios internet,
Chad
Sep 27 2009
Internet,
Here is the project. Not pleased. Too much stuff being turned in at too many places. Seriously, this is getting a bit inconvenient. Now I have 30 mins to try and rush and get everything where it needs to go because of the convoluted turn in procedure. UVA accepted it… in my opinion, it is done.
Here is Voting.out and TestVoting.out. Google project here.
Farewell internet. Going to go celebrate the rushed 30 mins I just spent turning everything in at IHOP.
Hungrily,
Chad
Sep 22 2009
Interwebs,
Week 4 included a test. Was it fair….ehhh. I didn’t like the CRC question… I’d rather be tested on things that require me to use the thinking side of my brain, not the “I can remember acronymns” side. I mean seriously, I could google the damn thing in real life. I’d much rather solve a problem… that is supposed to be what computer scientists are good at, right?
Other then that, the questions involving programming were good. They really were designed in such a way that if you did not understand the important concepts behind them, you would not be able to answer the question. Yet, they were simple enough to ensure you really understood it and did not make a stupid mistake you would catch with testing/compilers.
All in all, I should be happy with the test (hopefully….).
Until next week internet…
Chad
Sep 13 2009
Internet,
Week 3 went by quite quickly. Just finished project 2. Again, took me about an hour to do all that was necessary to just turn it in. A bit absurd and ridiculous in my opinion. That’s just one hour of my life I could spend making my program that much better. But alas, turning it in takes just that long.
I learned some interesting intricacies I had not thought about too much in C++. Although I’ve used pointers a go-go when I was writing C for work, I never gave much thought to references, despite using them all the time in Java. I guess that’s what I get for being spoiled by Java. But I believe its good that I learned a lot more about them.
I think C++ style casts are…weird. I much prefer C style casts. However, I know that there is good reason to use the C++ ones in certain situations. In terms of static_cast, I believe I much prefer the C style version. But there are casts (like reinterpret_cast) that are pretty cool. I really liked the example of interpreting the float as an int. I could totally see the IEEE format at work.
That’s all you get from me today internet,
Chad