Ask HN: What should I learn over the summer? (computer science student)

1 points by parwell 10 years ago | 4 comments

I'm a computer science major. Soon I'll be done with my freshman year of college, and I'll have three months of free time. After this year, I will have learned C++ fairly decently (topics up to polymorphism, linked lists, and templates). Also, from hobbyist programming before college, I know Python to a decent level. In the fall, I'll be taking two CS classes (data structures, and intro to computer systems).

My question is, what would be a good use of my time over the summer to still be learning CS topics at a decent pace?

The idea I had was making a good-looking website where users can play some small video game, and create an account so that they can log in and see their previous scores. Would this be a feasible idea? I figured it would help me learn web design (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and I would try to make the game (whatever it is) from scratch, so I'd learn Java (or whatever is best for the job) too. If this seems like a good idea, what order should I go in? Any other suggestions? Thank you!

mmrasheed 10 years ago |

If I were you, I would learn something practical, fun to do, and have visible accomplishment. One such example is mobile device (android/iOS) programming. It will not only give you an edge over your classmates, but also you may earn extra bucks as well. If you own macbook+iphone/ipad, swift [https://developer.apple.com/swift/] is a fun language to learn. And Professor Paul Hegarty has made iOS programming much more fun to learn over the years [https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/developing-ios-8-apps-swi...] [http://cs193p.stanford.edu/]. For android programming, you can start from learning java and then jump in to Google's android course [https://www.udacity.com/course/developing-android-apps--ud85...].

You may experiment with arduino or any other embedded systems. You will learn a lot about electronics, and basic computer structure. Embedded systems are integral parts of IoT.

parwell 10 years ago | |

Ah, that is one thing I forgot to mention. I have some Arduino experience from a tech project I had senior year of high school. Of course, I did it with my very very rudimentary (at the time) C++ knowledge, but I still have all the boards and wires and stuff. I'll try to come up with something to do with that also.

sumitgt 10 years ago |

If you wan't to build a website where users can log in and store their scores, you'll need to learn a web backend language too. I would recommend this Udacity course (https://www.udacity.com/course/developing-scalable-apps-in-j...) since you plan to learn Java anyways.

This would be intimidating at the beginning, but you seem motivated enough to survive it. :)

Overall, I feel like you are on the right track. Building projects/games/websites would lead to better learning.

armenarmen 10 years ago |

By the sounds of things building the site you described is well within the realm of doable. If you are looking at web games (as opposed to android which I think is what you were getting at with Java) there is a lot of cool stuff happening with canvas and js. Some tutorials here: http://www.canvasdemos.com/type/games/

I'm looking forward to seeing your project!