CS373 Spring 2021 Blog#2: Regina Chen
Week of 25 Jan — 31 Jan
What did you do this past week?
This past week, I downloaded Docker and brushed up on some Python and SQL. I’ve also been rewatching the lecture recordings online and found it to be very helpful, especially for the third quiz.
What’s in your way?
I’m still trying to get use to my new schedule for this semester, and catching onto the specific little quirks of each class and/or professor. I actually missed a big chunk of the first quiz because I didn’t realize that my class before SWE usually runs late so now I usually leave a bit before lecture actually ends to make sure that I am on time for SWE and the daily quizzes. I just have to be responsible to catch up on the bit of lecture that I miss at the end by rewatching the video recordings.
What will you do next week?
I plan to dive deeper into the first project, which focuses on Collatz. I feel like most of my time will be spent understanding the tools used and how they are all used together. I have a project for another CS class due this week so I think I will first start by reading through the rubric and getting a general idea of what the project is as a big picture so I can have that running in the back of my mind.
If you read it, what did you think of the makefile?
Before this class, I usually overlooked and didnt think much about the makefile. However, the Perusall assignment and Friday’s lecture helped make the makefile understandable and look a lot less intimidating. I find it very interesting in how this file basically brings everything together.
What was your experience of Docker?
I played with Docker a bit during my internship this past summer, but it was very broad and I didn’t really understand what the commands meant until the lecture where Professor Downing explained the bridging between our real and actual machine.
What was your experience of assertions?
I’ve seen and used assertions before only to check my input to see if it is valid. I never used it for unit testing though, and found it very interesting to learn why it is not used for user errors and unit testing.
What made you happy this week?
I was honestly pretty bummed out about missing the first syllabus quiz, since it was pretty straight forward and since I missed it due to being released from class late. Being able to make it to class and to the quizzes on time, and doing well on the quizzes definitely made me happy this week. I also love baking and enjoyed my time making and decorating mini cakes with my roomate last night!
What’s your pick-of-the-week or tip-of-the-week?
There is an application called ZenHub that helps organize and display the status of a project. I found it to be very useful for larger projects, and for team projects. It is a great way to break down the project into smaller issues, and to see where everyone in the group is at. The only issue is that it is not free, but there is a trial for those who are interested!