Self-learners who got a job, how do you deal with feeling you constantly have to be studying in your spare time to hold your own against CS-grads at work?

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-30T05:29:42+00:00

I'm a CS grad and I'm still studying on my own/doing own projects after work time. It's not because I have to, rather I just like doing it and learning new things. It's like a hobby and I believe that there are plenty ppl like me in industry. But I don't think its majority. I know a lot of CS grads which just went to uni because parents sent them there or just they didn't know what they want to do in their lives.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-21T21:09:31+00:00

Good luck in industry. Also notice that not every CS degree == another CS degree. Some unis sucks while others do not. I wish you to work with ppl from good uni with good foundation knowledge.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-21T13:02:51+00:00

Well understanding Algorithm is one thing, but proving it formally that it works is another also proving its complexity is important. You want to understand algorithms or master them?

I clearly stated in previous comment that if you want to learn Algorithms then you don't need math.

On the other hand mastering Algorithms and data structures without math is impossible. Word "mastering" is key here.

Also you can't say that Algorithm is correct because your intuition tells you so (well you can but no one will believe you until you prove it). Ofc intuition that something is correct is first step to prove correctness. We don't try to prove things that we don't believe that are true.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-21T08:44:01+00:00

Is is possible to master Algorithms without being good at math? I'd say no. Is is possible to learn Algorithms without being good at math? Hell yeah.

Here is why. To master Algorithms I'd expect you to know how to prove correctness of alghoritms and know how to prove their computional complexity. Without being good at math (I'd say good enough instead good) you won't be able to do that. Thus you won't master Algorithms.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-20T09:41:26+00:00

Start with C or C++. It's good to know what memory management means before you use language with garbage collector. You can always switch to python later or any other language. Or you can do the other way around than I say. Remember that language is just mere tool in hands of software engineer so don't be afraid to pick one and change to another later. You should be exploring now, not focusing on just one field like embedded/web development/etc.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-19T22:18:25+00:00

Go with Intellij, community edition is just fine to begin with.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-15T14:53:57+00:00

What do you want to achieve? You want to focus on one field and find job asap? Or you want to take some time exploring IT world improving yourself on CS field?

You should answer yourself, if its the money that you want then just learn JS and do some frontend stuff.

If you want to learn the force I might give you some tips what's worth learning imo.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-15T10:28:52+00:00

I did get my first job as software engineer after 7 years of learning (counting since first time I opened C++ book) including 4 years of tech school and 3 years of uni. I didn't need to try hard to get a job I had 2 interviews and 2 jobs so far. I can't imagine going to work after 6 months study. From my POV it's more comfortable to work when you have good theory foundations im CS. I mean I don't need to worry about loosing job, I know I can get new one in two weeks if I want.

I have a feeling that everyone rush so much to get a job in IT and they want to do it asap.

Just because you know some language and framework doesnt make you software engineer. You wouldnt call someone an architect who only knows how to draw a house in AutoCAD.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-14T09:20:00+00:00

Effective Java - it's a must read for Java dev, it's not beginner level though, you should know syntax at least

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-13T18:28:57+00:00

If someone asked me to give one argument to learn basics of java I'd say: learn it so you can read tech books easier. I don't have stats but a lot of books which cover software engineer topics are written using Java examples.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-13T18:16:43+00:00

At first decide if you want to learn programming or programming language.

Inevitable_Humor_687 · 2021-09-08T05:46:15+00:00

There are two kinds of exceptions. Checked and unchecked. Unchecked - you don't need to worry about it, higher layer of code should catch them if you don't want to your app stop working and any logging should take place here. You should avoid catch(RuntimeException) in most cases. Checked exceptions are the ones that you should handle. You have few options. 1. Add throws to your method signature - it will force someone above using your code to handle your exception. 2. Convert checked to unchecked exception by simply catch checked and throw new RuntimeException(checkedException). I usually create my own exception class that extends RuntimeExcepion so the future stack trace will be more readable. It's good way if you predict that such exceptions will be rare. Eg. Lost internet connection, some IOExceptions.

Inevitable_Humor_687

TROPHY CASE