Course Overview
In Programming Basics I learned how computers function and the proper way to use programming languages, logic, and syntax. Using the Visual Basic programming language and Visual Studio IDE I worked through the book reading chapters, solving problems, learning new styles/terms, and using logic to produce various applications that in the end shows basic programming competency.
I also learned about important programming principles such as variables, data types, functions, subs, events, loops, arrays, form controls and even when and where to use them logically within my programs. All very important things when writing any form of application.
Course Reflection
I feel like this course may be one of the most important courses because it kick starts and lays the foundation of where I began and where I will go. Many aspects of what I learned are things every programmer has to deal with on a day to day basis and I feel like the course was my first step into a programmer’s shoes.
In addition, I also learned how to communicate and contribute to a team while also learning how to present myself and act professional while in the work environment. All skills that will definitely help me in a future job or in my career.
Money Growth Trouble
in the Money Growth assignment the goal was to take a users input for two areas, initial amount and growth rate. With this information, the goal is to determine the future value of the money and as well as how long it takes to reach that future value. I remember the most difficult part for me was determining what loops to use, and how to actually calculate the future value itself. Eventually, I decided to read through the chapter again, and read the instructions to the assignment more carefully and thoroughly. With the help of the book and instructions I managed to work out what loops were required and how to actually calculate the future value.
Future Dates and functions
This assignment is the final assignment of the course and really tests what you’ve learned. At first it seemed easy as I began the programming, until I submitted the assignment for the first time. This is where the troubles began. I learned pretty quick from one of my instructors that something in the code wasn’t right. They let me know that my function for checking if the year was a leap year determining how many days were in February of the user specified year) was incorrect and was producing incorrect dates. In my function, I wasn’t returning the value and catching it so the days in February never changed and this is what was causing the dates to come back incorrect. From this experience I realized that functions are a very important aspect of a program and must be worked with carefully.
Zach Birrell 