stupid first world problems you're dealing with

Feel like I should learn some programming besides basic, want to start with Python but just don't know what the fuck I would do with it beyond a very specific set of circumstances.

  On 6/22/2016 at 2:35 AM, chenGOD said:

Feel like I should learn some programming besides basic, want to start with Python but just don't know what the fuck I would do with it beyond a very specific set of circumstances.

What makes you want to learn more programming? Work?

Essentially yes. But also feel it's useful to have some idea of the process if I ever have to manage programmers.

Makes sense, yes. I can relate for sure.

It was weird managing heavy equipment operators and not having my licenses to operate them heh.

Python seems like a good language to start with. I enjoyed working in it although it was too slow for the application I was working on. There's a number of research communities that have built nice tools with it for things like math and language processing.

I always recommend Javascript for a number of reasons (number one being, open the developer console on your browser and you can start writing in seconds) but it's despised by most serious coders.

In general I'd say think of an interesting project or persistent problem that coding will help you solve. That'll give you motivation to learn. Otherwise, try a tutorial and maybe you'll think of something as you're going through the exercises.

  On 6/22/2016 at 2:35 AM, chenGOD said:

Feel like I should learn some programming besides basic, want to start with Python but just don't know what the fuck I would do with it beyond a very specific set of circumstances.

what are those specific circumstances? the language you want to use is very closely linked to what you want to do with it, e.g. if you need performance you'll want c/c++; if you want something quick/lightweight/not a lot of code (usually an interface over some more complicated backend) you'll want javascript, python or ruby; for something you'll expect to write and maintain a lot of code for you'll want a static type system (so something like c#, java, or go), something heavily maths oriented you'll want a functional language (scheme, f#).

having said that, languages are becoming more flexible, so most modern imperative languages have lots functional features (python, c#, javascript), performance is getting better all the time with dynamic languages (though not to the degree where you'd write an OS or a game or anything where performance is super critical), and dynamic languages are getting better at dealing with larger code bases (e.g. typescript for javascript, python is ok in that regard too).

There's also the barrier to entry to think about, so learning javascript or python is going to be a lot easier to get your head around than c++ or scheme).

There's endless resources online though, so if you really want to get stuck in there's really no excuse, no matter what option you choose, lots of decent video courses on youtube even. If it's something simple you're after python is a decent place to start, room to develop into more involved scenarios as well.

  On 6/22/2016 at 3:09 AM, chenGOD said:

Essentially yes. But also feel it's useful to have some idea of the process if I ever have to manage programmers.

you don't need to know how to write code to do this though. I mean yeah, it'd be the best way of understanding first-hand what they do and how it works, but seeing as there are many texts about project management and software development processes from the project manager's perspective, I'm sure there are plenty of books out there you could pick up instead if you don't want to learn code.

he just wants to be more like autechre man, don't harsh his mellow

well then, he should just put el succ on as he sleeps and when he wakes up he'll just know.

  On 6/22/2016 at 3:09 AM, chenGOD said:

Essentially yes. But also feel it's useful to have some idea of the process if I ever have to manage programmers.

As a professional programmer I'd say it's better to have a manager that doesn't know how to program at all instead of one that knows just the basics. The process is completely different when you're actually working on a big scale SW project compared to some home tinkering or course work.

To any aspiring software project manager I'd recommend reading the classic Mythical Man Month https://www.amazon.com/Mythical-Man-Month-Software-Engineering-Anniversary/dp/0201835959

It's from 1975 but apart from some technological stuff it's still really useful. It boggles my mind how people managing SW projects still don't know the basics from this book.

Landlord wants to jack up the rent. The place has seen no improvements and a building site has appeared since the move in. Property investors are ghouls. Gotta decide if I want to take a thicker rod up my ass every month or move AGAIN.

  On 6/22/2016 at 8:04 AM, mokz said:

 

  On 6/22/2016 at 3:09 AM, chenGOD said:

Essentially yes. But also feel it's useful to have some idea of the process if I ever have to manage programmers.

 

As a professional programmer I'd say it's better to have a manager that doesn't know how to program at all instead of one that knows just the basics. The process is completely different when you're actually working on a big scale SW project compared to some home tinkering or course work.

 

To any aspiring software project manager I'd recommend reading the classic Mythical Man Month https://www.amazon.com/Mythical-Man-Month-Software-Engineering-Anniversary/dp/0201835959

 

It's from 1975 but apart from some technological stuff it's still really useful. It boggles my mind how people managing SW projects still don't know the basics from this book.

 

I mean it more so that when I ask questions of any programmers under me, I'll have at least some idea of what they're talking about on a technical level without having to ask them too many questions. I figure, the more I know, the less time they have to spend explaining shit to me.

Never so that I could try and suggest different methods or anything like that. If I could suggest different methods, then I'd just do it myself first.

Thanks for the tip on the book, will take a look.

  On 6/22/2016 at 3:25 AM, caze said:

 

  On 6/22/2016 at 2:35 AM, chenGOD said:

Feel like I should learn some programming besides basic, want to start with Python but just don't know what the fuck I would do with it beyond a very specific set of circumstances.

 

what are those specific circumstances? the language you want to use is very closely linked to what you want to do with it, e.g. if you need performance you'll want c/c++; if you want something quick/lightweight/not a lot of code (usually an interface over some more complicated backend) you'll want javascript, python or ruby; for something you'll expect to write and maintain a lot of code for you'll want a static type system (so something like c#, java, or go), something heavily maths oriented you'll want a functional language (scheme, f#).

 

having said that, languages are becoming more flexible, so most modern imperative languages have lots functional features (python, c#, javascript), performance is getting better all the time with dynamic languages (though not to the degree where you'd write an OS or a game or anything where performance is super critical), and dynamic languages are getting better at dealing with larger code bases (e.g. typescript for javascript, python is ok in that regard too).

 

There's also the barrier to entry to think about, so learning javascript or python is going to be a lot easier to get your head around than c++ or scheme).

 

There's endless resources online though, so if you really want to get stuck in there's really no excuse, no matter what option you choose, lots of decent video courses on youtube even. If it's something simple you're after python is a decent place to start, room to develop into more involved scenarios as well.

 

Yeah I'd read that python was a good place to start as it was fairly straightforward comapred to c++ etc etc. I've gotten a few tutorials/resources bookmarked, just gotta try and apply myself to it now.

  On 6/22/2016 at 5:03 AM, usagi said:

 

  On 6/22/2016 at 3:09 AM, chenGOD said:

Essentially yes. But also feel it's useful to have some idea of the process if I ever have to manage programmers.

 

you don't need to know how to write code to do this though. I mean yeah, it'd be the best way of understanding first-hand what they do and how it works, but seeing as there are many texts about project management and software development processes from the project manager's perspective, I'm sure there are plenty of books out there you could pick up instead if you don't want to learn code.

 

Yeah but I do kind of want to learn to code lol. Useful skill to have regardless I think.

  On 6/22/2016 at 6:34 AM, Alcofribas said:

he just wants to be more like autechre man, don't harsh his mellow

  On 6/22/2016 at 6:58 AM, usagi said:

well then, he should just put el succ on as he sleeps and when he wakes up he'll just know.

protip from prousers.

The worst thing about starting with programming is analysis paralysis imo. There's so much to learn and so many fields to choose from. For the basics your best bet is to just pick a language, a course or book, and stick with it. It doesn't really matter which ones, the basics are the basics. I'd avoid purely object-oriented languages like Java and go with C or Python, but that's about it.

Universities like the MIT have full courses uploaded on Youtube. Maybe check out uni syllabus...es? and check out what compsci students are required to learn

I wouldn't start with C, actually. learning curve is too steep for a non-programmer.

Java is super clunky but at least object-oriented languages are easier to grasp conceptually.

  On 6/22/2016 at 1:04 PM, usagi said:

I wouldn't start with C, actually. learning curve is too steep for a non-programmer.

 

Java is super clunky but at least object-oriented languages are easier to grasp conceptually.

The learning curve is steeper than with higher level languages, but I'd say it's better to bang your head against the intricacies of lower level programming as early as possible and get that out of the way, specially memory management stuff. Also one of the advantages of C is that it lets you royally fuck up, which is the best way of learning. Just my opinion really, it's a matter of preference.

Surprise root canal at dentist.

Not really a fwp tbh because it was actually quite relaxing. Nearly fell asleep.

My only regret is I didn't ask to take a selfie while I had the green rubber dental dam clamped around the tooth and wearing those coolguy shades they make you wear.

i also started learning and doing a bit of programming for some data preparation jobs i'm doing recently in stata, i don't even know if you comp.sci hunks consider stata stuff as programming but i do so fuck you. didn't even realize that i'd like it so much, it's so satisfying to make some logical contraption do what you need it to do perfectly.

here's the creation i'm the most proud of so far (i'll even put it in code formatting like a pro):

sort pid syear
g cumu3 = 0
g cumulative3=0
g cumu3_final=.
forvalues i =2013(-1)1991 {
replace cumulative3=0
	foreach k in `i'-2 `i'-1 `i' {
	replace cumulative3= cumu3+lf_disconnect if syear==`k'
	drop cumu3
	egen cumu3=max (cumulative3) if cumulative3!=. , by (pid)
	}
replace cumu3_final= cumulative3 if syear==`i'
replace cumu3=0
}

it basically counts the number of times a person was disconnected from the labor force in the last 3 years and creates a variable that signifies it for each year. i nearly came when it actually did what i wanted after hours of frustrations.

  On 6/22/2016 at 12:31 PM, chenGOD said:

I mean it more so that when I ask questions of any programmers under me, I'll have at least some idea of what they're talking about on a technical level without having to ask them too many questions. I figure, the more I know, the less time they have to spend explaining shit to me.

What languages/frameworks are they using?

It's all hypothetical at this point lol. Just future prepping, as I'm relatively sure at some point I will have to do this.

I'm back from a 10 day tour and I don't know what to do with myself. I just want to be back on the road for another 20.

  On 6/22/2016 at 10:03 PM, Zephyr_Nova said:

I'm back from a 10 day tour and I don't know what to do with myself. I just want to be back on the road for another 20.

alcohol

Speaking of which, I still have too much beer in the fridge. I managed to lighten the load with the help of my coworkers, but there's still like 40 cans of Miller Lite.

I'm gonna get sick of Miller Lite pretty soon.

  On 6/23/2016 at 7:19 AM, ambermonk said:

Speaking of which, I still have too much beer in the fridge. I managed to lighten the load with the help of my coworkers, but there's still like 40 cans of Miller Lite.

 

I'm gonna get sick of Miller Lite pretty soon.

Do you have a Miller Lite tree or something?

  On 6/22/2016 at 3:32 PM, eugene said:

i also started learning and doing a bit of programming for some data preparation jobs i'm doing recently in stata, i don't even know if you comp.sci hunks consider stata stuff as programming but i do so fuck you. didn't even realize that i'd like it so much, it's so satisfying to make some logical contraption do what you need it to do perfectly.

here's the creation i'm the most proud of so far (i'll even put it in code formatting like a pro):

sort pid syear
cum
cum
cum
replace cum
	
	cum cum
	drop cum
	Eugene cum max (cum)  
cum (pic)
	
replace cumu cumu
replace cumu3=D

it basically counts the number of times a person was disconnected from the labor force in the last 3 years and creates a variable that signifies it for each year. i nearly came when it actually did what i wanted after hours of frustrations.

Cool code