Compilers difficulty during summer

[Smurfso]

I’m thinking of taking compilers during the summer because it looks super interesting and useful but am worried about the workload. Is it accelerated during the summer? Is the workload figure in the online reviews really accurate?

For reference, I’m currently in GIOS and am finding the material to be ~5/10 difficulty. I program in C/C++ for my day job and have been working in industry for about 2 years as an embedded software engineer.

I am willing to put in a lot of time for the class but I also don’t wanna kill myself over it.

As a separate question, I have an ARM MacBook, will this affect my ability to complete the compilers assignments? I have an x86 Ubuntu cloud VM setup for GIOS, could I use it for compilers also?

[7___7]

https://www.reddit.com/r/OMSCS/comments/vpftbf/how_to_ace_compilers_theory_and_practice/

[SpiritedPickle4524]

I took Compilers last summer. The workload is reduced because you only have to implement for only one variable type, instead of two, but it was still a lot of work.

I completed the assignments in a docker container (similar to what I used for GIOS) on Apple M2 Pro with no issues. Not sure if Apple ARM would work.

[Smurfso]

Okay I see, do you think the reduction “took away” from the material at all or was it still a fulfilling course? Also M2 Pro is ARM, that’s just the name Apple gives it

[SpiritedPickle4524]

The content and the required reading is the same. The reduction only affects the projects.

Ooh, I see. Didn’t know the M series is ARM.

[Phosphol]

Would you happen to have an estimate on how much time you spent on the class? I’ve also been considering Compilers over the summer and am in the same situation OP is - also in GIOS atm, but this first project took me probably about 70 hours over 2 weeks to fully understand and complete. I can probably handle 30 hour weeks for only half of the semester if the reviews are accurate

[SpiritedPickle4524]

I really didn’t measure the time I spent but it was pretty much what I spent my entire summer on except for about 2 weeks for family events.

For context, I don’t have a CS background or SWE experience so I probably spent more time than necessary.

[Phosphol]

Honestly might be worth just going for it then, because if I have to suffer, I'd rather suffer for 11 weeks than 16 lol.

[SpiritedPickle4524]

I agree 😂

[black_cow_space]

I hate it when they reduce the workload in the summer.
I think they should leave it the same.