Programming Workshops

COLLEGE PROGRAMMING WORKSHOPS

I am a Computer Programming Tutor in my school, College of Southern Nevada, so I have the opportunities to present the following past and present workshops.  Not that it was a requirement, but it was something that I initiated to do among the quiet times of the job description.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS/WORKSHOPS FOR

SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER 2014

IN CHARLESTON CAMPUS ROOM C116
FOR THE FOLLOWING FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS

PRESENTER: JOHN SINDAYEN

Sep. 12, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Computer Hardware (IC3 Exam 1)
Sep. 13, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Windows 7 Desktop & Explorer (IC3 Exam 1)
Sep. 19, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Windows 7 Control Panel (IC3 Exam 1)
Sep. 20, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of How to Write a Program
                                     (IS 115, CIT 130-133, CS 135)
Sep. 26, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Word 2013 Screen & Home (IC3 Exam 2)
Sep. 27, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of C or C++ Input/Output Programming Using
                                     Linux MobaXterm (account required),
                                     Visual Studio (account or own compiler required),
                                     or Dev-C++ (no requirement) (CS 135, CIT 131, CIT 133)

Oct. 3, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Microsoft Word 2013 File (IC3 Exam 2)
Oct. 4, 1:00-1:30pm: Programming Selection & Loop in Raptor (IS 115)
Oct. 10, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Microsoft Word 2013 Insert (IC3 Exam 2)
Oct. 11, 1:00-1:30pm: Programming If-Else & While in Python (IS 115)
Oct. 17, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Microsoft Excel 2013 Home (IC3 Exam 2)
Oct. 18, 1:00-1:30pm: Programming Classes in Java Using DrJava (CIT 130)
Oct. 24, 1:00-1:30pm: Review of Microsoft Excel 2013 Insert (IC3 Exam 2)
Oct. 25, 1:00-1:30pm: Programming 1D Array in Visual Basic (CIT 132)
                                    (Requirement: account or own Visual Studio IDE)
Oct. 31: Nevada Day College Closed

Nov. 1, 1:00-1:30PM: INHERITANCE IN C++ (CS 202)
                                    Prerequisite: ability to program classes in C++
                                    Advanced programming concept in CS 202, CIT 233
Nov. 7, 1:00-1:30PM: MICROSOFT POWERPOINT SCREEN & FILE (IS 101 IC3 EXAM 2)
Nov. 8, 1:00-1:30PM: POINTERS IN C/C++ (CIT 131, CS 202)
                                    Prerequisite: ability to program in C/C++
                                    Advanced programming concept in CS 202, CIT 233
Nov. 14, 1:00-1:30PM: MICROSOFT ACCESS SCREEN & HOME (IS 101 IC3 EXAM 2)
Nov. 15, 1:00-1:30PM: RECURSION IN C/C++ (CS 202)
                                      Prerequisite: ability to program loops and functions in C/C++
                                      Advanced programming concept in CS 202, CIT 231, 233
Nov. 21, 1:00-1:30PM: LIVING ONLINE (IS 101 IC3 EXAM 3)
                                      Topics in Networking Topology, Internet Explorer, & Computer Viruses
Nov. 22, 1:00-1:30PM: SIMPLE LINKED LISTS IN C/C++ (CS 202)
                                      Prerequisite: ability to program structs and pointers in C/C++
                                      Advanced programming concept in CS 202, CIT 231, 233
Last Workshop:
Nov. 22, 2:00-2:30PM: INVITATION TO PROGRAMMING USING PYTHON
                                      Open to all current students to explore learning or majoring in Programming
                                      or Computer Science, especially women, visit this website:
                                      http://www.mercurynews.com/mike-cassidy/ci_25224467/women-missing-out-lucrative-careers-computer-science
For the November 1 presentation, I will be using the following short and descriptive C++ program to illustrate multiple inheritance:

#include <iostream>
#include <string>

class Man { //base class
   private:
      string eyes;
   public:
      Man() {
         eyes = "brown"; }
      string colorOfEyes() {
         return eyes; }
};

class Woman { //base class
   private:
      string hair;
   public:
      Woman() {
         hair = "red"; }
      string colorOfHair() {
         return hair; }
};

class Son : public Man, public Woman {
}; //derived class

int main() { //main program
   Son s;
   cout << s.colorOfEyes() << endl;
   cout << s.colorOfHair() << endl;
}

Happy Halloween! Happy Nevada Day!

John

WINDOWS 7 AND WINDOWS 8

WINDOWS 7 AND WINDOWS 8

The WINDOWS 7 USER INTERFACE (UI) is the DESKTOP environment.  Windows 7 DESKTOP is the first screen you see when using Windows 7 OPERATING SYSTEM (OS).

The Windows 7 User Interface is the desktop and everything inside the desktop.  The default icons in the desktop screen includes the following:
RECYCLE BIN on top of the desktop,
START BUTTON or START MENU, INTERNET EXPLORER, WINDOWS EXPLORER, WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER, in that order, on the left side of the TASKBAR,
SHOW HIDDEN ICONS upward arrow, ACTION CENTER pennant or flag icon (if activated), NETWORKING STATUS monitor and mouse icon or bar graph icon  (if activated), system current TIME AND DATE, VOLUME CONTROL, and the SHOW DESKTOP, in that order, in the NOTIFICATION AREA, the right side of Taskbar.

The Windows 8.1 UI is the START SCREEN environment.  The Start Screen is the first screen you see when using Windows 8.1 OS, that is, if you do not activate your LOGON SCREEN.

The Start Screen is made of the Start Screen itself, TILES and ICONS. The tiles can either be LIVE TILES or ordinary or static tiles.  The USER ACCOUNT TILE sits on the same line as the Start Screen TITLE, the POWER ICON, and the SEARCH ICON. These two icons, tile, and title are always shown on top of the METRO APP TILES.

There are hidden elements in the Start Screen that can be accessed in the Start Screen. Accessed these hidden elements by using the mouse to hover or using your fingers to hover and tap from the screen corner or edge, and following the guidelines below:
+------------------------------------------------------------------+
|hover down to show last apps         hover down to show Charms bar|
|                                                                  |
| Start screen title    User account tile  Power icon  Search icon |
|                                                                  |
|tap to right to show last apps      tap to left to show Charms bar|
|                                                                  |
| App rectangular tiles in small, medium, wide, and large sizes    |
|                                                                  |
| All apps icon appears when you scroll through the apps           |
|                                                                  |
|hover up to show Start Screen icon     hover up to show Charms bar|
+------------------------------------------------------------------+

For more computing related articles, visit my Facebook page in https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-T-Club/278692538999554.

Welcome to the new Microsoft Windows interface!

John Sindayen

Test Answering Strategies

TEST ANSWERING STRATEGIES

In order to pass an exam, you need to prepare for it and strategize your answering techniques.  Take for example the following question.

A person wants to buy a computer but doesn’t know what computer to buy.  She only knows that she needs a fast computer.  She had heard, however, that fast computers have fast processor speeds. Choose the correct answer from the following:

1. Get a computer with the highest processor speed.

2. Processor speed is not the only thing to worry about.

The multiple choice question gives 2 answers that are both correct, but one answer is the best answer to the situational question.  Both answers are good answers.  If the multiple choice question has multiple good answers, you need to choose the best answer or the better of the good answers.

How do you choose the best answer?  The best answer is the one that applies to the overall question or situation.  Moreover, you must realize that the aim of a multiple choice question is to check if you really KNOW ALL there is to know about a certain subject, and not just one or a few things about it.

So what is the answer to this question?  The best answer is choice 2 because choice 1 is only a partial answer when buying and choosing a computer for any consumer.

Additional strategies for passing a test are the following:
1. Loosen up, medidate, or relax for a few minutes before the hour of the test so that you can shake away anything that may trouble your mind.
2. Know how many questions there are and, if possible, check which questions will take some time for you to answer.
3. Answer the questions that you know the answers and take a guess on those where you can provide a good guess.
4. Skip the questions, if possible, that you don't know the answers or will take some time to make a good guess, and come back to them after you've written the answers to questions you know.
5. Answer all the questions, if there is no penalty for wrong answers, because guessing the correct answer for a question you don't know still adds up to your total score.
6. Review all your answers to make sure you read the questions correctly.

John

Future of Education

FUTURE OF EDUCATION

With the way Computer Technology is evolving these days, it is possible that most high school subjects will be taught to students via computers alone.  The possible exceptions are subjects that require hands-on physical or laboratory experience, like Chemistry, Physics, Music, Physical Education, Biology, Dance, Theater Arts (requiring stage presence), and Home Economics (requiring cooking).

All other subjects can be taught using a computer monitor, keyboard, speaker, and microphone, subjects like English, German, French, Spanish, Mathematics, Computer Programming, Microsoft Office, History, Drama, Literature, Social Studies, Ecology, Geography, Government, and General Science.

This will save federal and local governments from building and maintaining some school buildings, and will reduce staffing of school administrators, support staffs, and teachers.  But what would these unneeded personnel do for a job? The answer to that is actually the reason why there is no incentive for the government to optimize the school system.

But eventually, as the world's older working population who grew up without computers are replaced by those born in the 1980's, the school system will optimize with the newest available public Computer Technology.  This event horizon will probably occur by the year 2030.

On that note, it would be prudent for everyone to adapt to the new technology starting now, if not before. This web page can help: https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-T-Club/278692538999554 or just enter www.facebook.com/278692538999554 in the browser or URL address.  It is my Facebook page: I T Club or Information Technology Club.

Computer World here we come!

John

GOAL IN LIFE

YOUR MAJOR GOAL IN LIFE

For some people, having a title beside their name is their major goal in life.  They may want a title for varying reasons, some professionally, while some just like the way it sounds with their name.  These are examples of the possible titles:
     John Surname, CPA
     John Surname, Esq.
     Sir John Surname
     Cpt. John Surname
     Dr. John Surname, CISSP, Ph.D.

Some people would like to have a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) along with their name so they can be called doctor so and so.  But getting a Ph.D. is not a trifle thing.  You would have to learn more new stuff and spend some time learning them.  And you also need some money to pay the university.  Moreover, you would have to write a dissertation or report on what you have learned.

A Ph.D. candidate would have to write over 50 pages of content (see http://io9.com/how-long-is-the-average-phd-dissertation-785483128).  It would be like writing a book on the subject.  But it would not be just a book on the subject, it would have to have a thesis that you need to defend and show in your report using all those pages of the report.  It is a daunting task.  And that is why you need to like the subject of your thesis, and possibly even the major of your doctorate degree, otherwise you might die of boredom.

If you would rather spend your time on something else other than this pursuit of knowledge and this degree, then do not waste your precious time on the pursuit of hardships and struggles that comes along with a doctorage degree.  Otherwise, have fun in your daunting pursuits.

A Ph.D. in Computer Science or Mathematics is a lot of work.  It is really, really a lot of work, especially if the subject does not come to you naturally.  It's work that may not interest you in the end, even if you have succeeded, if you have other things that interest you.  Work on the things that interest you first and fulfill this fascination before you embark on an adventure that only steers you away from the things that matters most.

Go with the flow!

John

COMPRESSING HARD DRIVE

COMPRESSING HARD DRIVE (NOT)

I compressed my H drive by clicking on the checkbox of "Compress this drive to save disk space". I never used this Windows 7 utility before, but I was bold to use it since I had backed up all my H files yesterday and I don't have any new necessary files there that I need to back up.  So clicked I went on the OK button to begin this new chapter of knowing computers.

After a minute of compressing, a prompt message came telling me that one of the folder cannot be compressed because it had run out of disk.  I had 21.8 MB of free space and 78.1 MB of used space when I started compressing and this message came up.  I pressed the Ignore All button after the computer kept prompting the same message over and over when I only clicked the Ignore button on the same folder but on different files in that folder.

Less than a minute later, the Properties dialog box returns a new picture of my H drive.  It turned the whole disk blue and the violet color signifying my free space were all gone.  In other words, instead of compressing, the computer used up all my disk space.

I was wondering what happened, of course, so I let the check remained on the checkbox of "Compress this drive to save disk space" and clicked the OK button again to see if it will compress the now-full disk space. Nothing happened.  So I unclicked the check out of the checkbox and pressed OK to see what will happen. The computer gave me a prompt message whether I want to uncompress the H drive.  So, I said let's go for it, since compression does not work.

The computer then uncompressed each one of my files and folders and in less than 30 seconds finished with all my files and folders the same as it was before this ridiculous experiment of trying out the "Compress this drive to save disk space".

There's something to be learned in this.  Probably not to compress the hard drive at all, whether it is a server drive like my H drive or a computer drive like the C drive.

John

COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR

COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Anyone interested in majoring in Computer Science needs to be a good textbook reader and to be able to analyze unfamiliar territories.  In other words, you need to be smart in order to earn good grades in Computer Science.  Of course, you can also be a mediocre Computer Science student with a G.P.A. of 2.00 or C average, and still get a CS diploma.  But even a C student will have to do a lot of studying and spend a lot of time in studying to earn that diploma, as compared to some liberal arts degree like English or Sociology.  It would help if you are technically minded in your upbringing because you would then easily understand the mechanics of how things works out.

The following are generally the course requirements for a Computer Science major.

DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS is about solving the tangential value of a variable in a function.
INTEGRAL CALCULUS is about solving the expansive value of a variable in a function.
MATHEMATICAL FOUNDATIONS is about solving the sets of the domain of a problem and their relations to their answers.
INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY is about solving the possible algorithms to solve a problem.
MECHANICS is about the potential and kinetic energies of matter to create moving parts.
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM is about how matters are attracted to each other to create a logical unit.
PROGRAMMING ABSTRACTIONS is about creating model structures to represent real things.
INTRODUCTORY ELECTRONICS is about modifying electrical systems to produce a desired result.
COMPUTER ORGANIZATION AND SYSTEMS is about using a programming language like C to manipulate a computer system to process and move data.
PRINCIPLES OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS is about moving data outside a system into a wider system by using established protocols.
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ALGORITHMS is about designing structures that are efficient in resources.

Additionally, two or so electives are required each from the Math, Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science departments.

Students also has to take four or so courses from one of the following specialty.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COURSES are about solving problems in making machines learn.
BIOCOMPUTATION COURSES are about solving problems in the medical field.
COMPUTER ENGINEERING COURSES are about solving problems in Networking, Systems, or Robotics.
GRAPHICS COURSES are about solving problems in digital images.
HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION COURSES are about solving problems in user interfaces.
INFORMATION COURSES are about solving problems in storing and extracting data.
SYSTEMS COURSES are about solving problems in building new computer systems.
THEORY COURSES are about solving new problems using mathematics.

I used Stanford University's Computer Science program as an example.  Stanford is located in Palo Alto, California, only 11 miles away from Silicon Valley, the hubbub of computer technology.  See their website at http://cs.stanford.edu/degrees/ug/Requirements.shtml.

Learn what's fun!

John

IC3 CERTIFICATION

IC3 CERTIFICATION

IC3 is a global certification of a person's knowledge of current IS (Information Systems) or IT (Information Technology) technology.  The certification is given by a company called Certiport.

The IC3 GS3 certification is composed of 3 proctored online examinations.  The first exam tests the examinee's knowledge of COMPUTING FUNDAMENTALS which include knowledge of Windows 7. The second exam tests the examinee's knowledge of KEY APPLICATIONS.  The KEY APPLICATIONS tested on are Microsoft's Word version 2010, Excel version 2010, and PowerPoint version 2010 software. The third exam tests the examinee's knowledge of LIVING ONLINE which includes knowledge of e-mail and other online collaboration software.  The three exams can be taken on different days.

I recently took all three exams this June 2014 because it was a recommended requirement for tutors of students who are required to pass all three exams to pass their course IS 101 or Information Science 101. After reviewing for each exam, I passed all three in the first tries.  Actually, I took the newer version of IC3, the IC3 GS4 version of the exams which are more in-depth and includes cloud computing. There are 45 questions in both GS3 and GS4.  While GS3 time limit is 45 minutes, GS4 time limit is 50 minutes.  Additionally, GS4 also includes knowledge of Microsoft Access version 2010.

IC3 GS4 covers a phletora of skills and knowledge needed to be proficient in operating today's digital devices and their software.  While some companies require their employees to have IC3 certifications, some companies only prefer their employees to have one.

All three exams have multiple choice answers and demonstration of skills by clicking or pressing on the right set of buttons or keys to accomplish certain tasks.  I found that all GS4 three exams have the same level of difficulties, or if you prefer, especially for those who are already practicing these same skills and knowledge regularly, the same level of easiness.

How do you prepare for IC3 exams?  There are actually classes for them.  Some are college courses and some are high school courses.  College courses require passing all 3 exams.  You can also retake any of the exams so you can receive the IC3 certification for all 3 exams.  If you do not prefer to take courses, either online or classroom, there are some books that you can read for yourself and some companies in the internet that will offer to help you in studying for them.  Be sure, however, that these books or companies, are legitimate in their propositions.

John
IC3 GS4 Certified

FUTURE OF COMPUTERS

FUTURE OF COMPUTERS

The computers of today are made possible by electronic signals that are manipulated to produce binary signals.  These binary signals of 0's and 1's make it possible to write digital codes to run the computers (OS or operating system software) or to apply to the computers (application software).

The computers of tomorrow will no longer need to operate through electronic signals.  There are two possible alternatives for the computers of tomorrow, both of which have already been implemented.

The computers of tomorrow operate through our knowledge of Quantum Physics.  Quantum Physics is the study of light pulses at subatomic level.  But, generally speaking, Quantum Physics, sometimes also called Quantum Mechanics, is the study of our quantum universe at the quantum level.  To be sure, Quantum Physics has many branches, but the branch Quantum Optics of Quantum Physics is what is being applied to the computers of tomorrow, otherwise known as Quantum Computing.

The second known alternative for the computers of tomorrow is DNA Computing. DNA Computing operates through our knowledge of DNA and molecular biology, and may I add, at the risk of being redundant, at the molecular level.  DNA Computing uses the bases G, T, A, and C to form computer codes to run and to apply to DNA computers.

The two alternatives to digital electronic computing have already been applied in some of today’s computers.  Quantum computers are already being used in banking in Europe, though at a limited level.  DNA computing has already been applied successfully, though at a research level.

These two alternatives to computing may not be the only ones in this century, for with the billions of people in this planet with their brilliant minds, and with more coming with each generation, humanity may yet generate new ways of making this world more hospitable and habitable than it was millions of years ago.

This article starts my blogging anew after some sporadic tries while I was studying in college. I am happy to report that I received all A's for all my efforts of studying.  Here's the list of my courses so far:

Summer 2013 ------------------- 8 weeks
Beginning Java ---------------------- A
Project Management ------------------ A
Fall 2014 -------------------- 16 weeks
Beginning C++ ----------------------- A
Beginning Visual Basic -------------- A
Introduction to Computer Security --- A
U.S. History II --------------------- A
Spring 2014 ------------------ 16 weeks
Advanced C++ ------------------------ A

Happy computing!

John

Math and Computer Science Chronological History

MATH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY

Let's all synchronize our watches, or our computer clocks, 2:20 PM.

The following lists the significant events that lead to the development of mathematics and computers as we now know and use them in 2014 AD.

YEAR     PERSON OR GROUP   EVENT HORIZON                     
2000 BC  Babylonians       Quadratic equation
350 BC   Aristotle         "Earth is center of universe."
100 CE   Nicomachus        Fractions and ratios
175 CE   Gerasa            Arithmetic
250 CE   Diophantus        Variables
665 CE   Brahmagupta       Zero
800 CE   Al-Khwarizmi      Base 10 numbers
1100 AD  Al-Khwarizmi      Algebra book into Latin
1202 AD  Fibonacci         Roman numerals into Arabic numbers
1220 AD  John De Holywood  Astronomy text
1450 AD  Gutenberg         Printing press
1557 AD  Recorde           = (since parallel lines are equal)
1614 AD  Napier            Logarithms
1619 AD  Descartes         Analytic geometry
1631 AD  Oughtred          x (times)
1641 AD  Pascal            Digital calculator
1671 AD  Newton            Calculus
1734 AD  Euler             f(x)
1812 AD  Babbage           Mechanical calculator
1854 AD  Boole             Boolean algebra
1938 AD  Cartwright        Chaos theory
1959 AD  John Backus       FORTRAN
1959 AD  Grace Hopper      COBOL
1985 AD  CSULA             Pascal
2013     CSN CIT 130       Java
2013     CSN CIT 132       Visual Basic
2013     CSN CIT 133       C++
2014+    ???               ???

John

Easiest To Hardest Computer Programming Languages To Learn

Easiest To Hardest Computer Programming Languages To Learn

Among colleges offering Beginning and Advanced Programming Languages, this is the ordered list of the easiest to the hardest to learn based on the analysis below.  These four programming languages are the most common compiled programming languages taught in high schools and colleges around the world.

Easiest Beginning C >> Beginning C++ >> Beginning Visual Basic >> Beginning Java >>
>> Advanced Visual Basic >> Advanced C >> Advanced Java >> Advanced C++ Hardest.

Beginning C is easiest of all because it has no classes.
Beginning Visual Basic is harder than Beginning C++ because classes are optional in C++.
Beginning and Advanced Java are harder than Beginning and Advanced Visual Basic, respectively, because you have to make your own GUI in Java, as well as write more codes.
Advanced C is harder than Advanced Visual Basic because C manipulates the computer hardware itself.
Advanced Java is harder than Advanced C because C has no classes.
Advanced C++ is hardest of all because C++ has classes and manipulates the computer hardware itself.

John

COMPUTER SCIENCE: RUNNING APPS

COMPUTER SCIENCE
COMPUTERS: Running an Application, Program, or Software

I will now try to explain the technical details on how computers work.  Even though there are more fully qualified computer experts than me, I believe that some people explain things more easily readable than others, and I hope I am in that first category.

This is what happens when you run or execute a program, application, or software like a Java, C++ program, or a software like Microsoft Word or Minecraft.

Executing the software or running the program:  You click the software or Microsoft Word icon, type a command on the COMMAND PROMPT, or click RUN in the IDE (Integrated Development Environment, a programming software).

After you execute or run the program, the computer takes the following steps:
1. Computer fetches the software or program that was sitting in your secondary storage (example, hard drive).  The software, program, or application is written in binary code (all 0s and 1s).
2. A LOADER program loads the software, program, or application from the secondary storage into the main memory (RAM or Random Access Memory) of the computer.
3.  The CPU of the computer then reads and executes the program, application, or software, and awaits any further instruction from you, the computer user.  (Reading and execution is all in 0s and 1s, actually, in real physical existence, digital electronic signals that is interpreted and outputted by the CPU as 0s and 1s.  In reality, computers do not read 0 and 1 but read the digital electronic signals.  The input and output of 0s and 1s are only needed so that humans can read what the computer is doing.  If computers program themselves without using 0 and 1, humans cannot tell what computer is doing or will do, real sci-fi stuff.)

Execution of the program, application, or software ends when you turn it off, when it turns itself off properly, when it malfunctions, or by an outside force like when the electricity went out.

Let me know if this explanation has been useful or if you have a comment.

John

THE NEXT EPISODE

WELCOME TO THE NEXT EPISODE!

Knight In World now begins a new episode in blogging.  It will now cover topics in the following areas.
Accounting
Business Management
Computers
   Computer Science
   Hardware
   Networking
   Programming
   Security
   Software
   Web Development
It will also cover a few topics in American history and so on.  Knight In Math will start covering topics in math.

John