For this week’s blog post, I will be focusing on Version control. Version control is a software tool  that helps software teams and programmers keep track  of updates when working on a project. In a software team, there are multiple people in a group and there are multiple changes made  in a project. Multiple users in a team are working on different files under the same project folder, and  through version control  each team mate’s work progress is saved. For software teams and programmers, through version control, updates and changes in a project folder can be traced, and a user can view what lines in a file have been modified, deleted, added. During times when dealing with errors, with  version control  users can track back to where exactly in their code an error is occurring.

When I was choosing a topic for this week, this topic was important to me because I wanted to build upon what I know about git. I am glad that in this course we are going to spend time on git. Over the summer, I worked on a few different software projects. When I was first starting off, I didn’t know much about version control. As time went on, I became familiar with how  version control works. I had used a version control called Git. With git, I was able to use version control in visual studio code. When I was doing these projects, I wished that I had used version control to fix or prevent errors. In  Introduction to programming and in unix programming, we are taught   to test or run code in small bits,  and not build a whole program and run it at once. When I was doing these projects, I was building a whole program and running it, but as time went on, I realized that I should work with simple parts of code at a time. 

Moving forward, I want to double check my code, and I can do that through version control, and make that when working with code to apply the techniques taught to me in previous classes. For software teams, there  is a branch where software teams work independently on parts of a project,  and can merge their parts together. 

Branch can be effective as teammates can work on their parts  of code, make sure there are no errors, and bring together their error free parts of a  program. 

Blog url:  What is version control | Atlassian Git Tutorial

From the blog CS@Worcester – jonathan's computer journey by Jonathan Mujjumbi and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

In this post, I will be exploring the concept of inheritance in object-oriented programming. Inheritance is one of the core principles of OOP that allows a new class to inherit properties and behaviors from an existing class. The largest benefit of inheritance, in my opinion, is the ability to eliminate unnecessary (or otherwise necessary) repetition in the code. This week, we discussed design smells, and excessive repetition is one that can make code incredibly tedious to read and maintain, and it is one that can be eliminated or minimized by proper use of inheritance. The blog post I will be referencing this week can be found here, and it provides a very detailed example of inheritance as well as some further explanation of vocabulary and more advanced concepts that we have not yet covered in class, like upcasting and downcasting. I chose it because of these extra details it provides; most resources I found about inheritance provide the definition and a basic example, without going much further.

Let’s consider a practical example related to the one used in the blog post. Imagine you’re developing a software application for a zoo. You might have a base class called Animal that includes properties like name, age, and methods such as makeSound(). From this Animal class, you could create specific subclasses like Lion and Elephant. Each of these subclasses would inherit the properties and methods from Animal, allowing you to easily manage common functionality while still being able to define unique behaviors for each animal.

To expand on some of the details provided in the blog post, we could also create an instance mufasa of the Lion class and assign it to some Animal a1 = mufasa;. This would be allowed as upcasting, since Lion extends Animal. We could also then downcast a1 back into an instance of the Lion class, because at runtime, a1 will actually be a Lion instance.

Again, the main advantage of inheritance is its ability to promote code reuse. Instead of duplicating code across multiple classes, you can simply extend an existing class. For instance, if you needed each animal to have a method eat() that does the same thing for any animal, you could just implement it to the Animal class instead, saving time and space and keeping your code cleaner. The elegance of inheritance lies in its ability to create a hierarchy of classes. In our zoo example, you could further extend the Elephant class to create subclasses for different species of elephant, each with its own unique features, all while retaining the common behaviors defined in Elephant. The real world is full of hierarchies, and understanding how we can mirror those relationships programmatically when we want to represent or implement them in our code is a critical skill to have for an object oriented programmer.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Mr. Lancer 987's Blog by Mr. Lancer 987 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

Summary of Concrete Skills:

In the world of software development, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest technologies and trends. However, the Concrete Skills pattern reminds us of the importance of building a solid foundation of fundamental skills.

Key points of the pattern include:

1. Mastering Fundamentals: Instead of chasing after every shiny new tool or framework, focus on mastering the fundamental skills that underpin software development. This includes things like algorithms, data structures, and design principles.
2. Practical Application: Don’t just learn theory for the sake of it – apply your knowledge in practical ways. Whether it’s through coding exercises, personal projects, or internships, practical experience is essential for solidifying your skills.
3. Continuous Improvement: Learning is a lifelong journey, and it’s important to continually strive for improvement. Seek out opportunities for learning and growth, and never become complacent with your current level of skill.
4. Balanced Learning: While it’s important to focus on concrete skills, don’t neglect other aspects of your development, such as communication skills, teamwork, and domain knowledge.

My Reaction:

The Concrete Skills pattern really struck a chord with me because it reinforced something I’ve been realizing lately: the importance of mastering the basics. In a field that’s constantly evolving, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information out there. However, this pattern reminded me that by focusing on mastering fundamental skills, I can build a strong foundation that will serve me well throughout my career.

One aspect of the pattern that particularly resonated with me is the emphasis on practical application. I’ve always been a hands-on learner, so I appreciate the importance of applying theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. Whether it’s through coding challenges or personal projects, I’ve found that practical experience not only reinforces my understanding but also helps me discover new areas for growth.

That being said, I do have a slight disagreement with the pattern when it comes to balancing learning. While I agree that it’s important to focus on concrete skills, I also believe that soft skills such as communication and teamwork are equally important. In today’s collaborative work environment, being able to effectively communicate and collaborate with others is essential for success.

In conclusion, the Concrete Skills pattern has reinforced my belief in the importance of mastering the fundamentals and continually seeking opportunities for growth. By focusing on building a solid foundation of skills, I’m confident that I’ll be well-equipped to tackle whatever challenges come my way in my journey as a software craftsman.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Hieu Tran Blog by Trung Hiếu and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

This is one of those patterns that I feels important to apply to everything in your life, honestly. It’s a well-known phenomena that the more you learn in a field, the more you know that you don’t know much. It’s a sort of complicated sentence, but it rings true: You realize the gaps in your knowledge the more you progress. I find it interesting to approach this problem by doing something you know well, but limiting yourself in doing that in order to not stay stuck and comfortable with what you know already. It makes sense as a solution in that you sort of look back and realize all the progress you’ve made, but don’t stay in that mindstate for too long because it will end in the stagnation of your learning.

I personally feel the imposter syndrome very strongly, not just in programming but also in music and other hobbies that I enjoy. I think this pattern would really help with those who, like me, have a tendency to notice the things we don’t know. The one thing is that I don’t necessarily think that this solution is a “one size fits all.”

I usually take breaks when I feel like this, or just brute force through it. The reason I do this is because, in all honesty, I don’t really like assigning myself work that doesn’t need to be done. It feels as though I’m repeating myself if I go back and do something that I already know how to do when it’s not even an important job. Granted, if I were allotted an opportunity where there is work that needs to be done with something I’m very comfortable with, I’m obviously ready and willing to do it, especially in that mindstate.

That being said, if I weren’t so stubborn about spending my time the way I do, I think this would be a great way to ease that sort of dread regarding the possibility that you don’t know very much despite all the time that you’ve spent. I think it’s definitely a good thing to look back at the work you’ve done and say “you know what, I have gotten better over time,” comparing past self to your current self feels a lot better and more productive than comparing yourself to others, because you can actually see where you’ve grown and what that you are, in some sense, competent.

From the blog CS@Worcester – V's CompSCi Blog by V and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

The White Belt pattern is about adopting a beginner’s mindset when approaching new challenges, even if you’re an expert in a particular field. It encourages setting aside previous knowledge to embrace learning opportunities fully. This mindset shift is crucial for personal and professional growth, allowing people to discover new perspectives, solutions, and approaches. The White Belt pattern offers insights into the process of continuous learning and personal development. It talks about the importance of humility, curiosity, and openness to new experiences, which are important qualities for success in any job. Encourage people to step out of their comfort zones and embrace the unknown.

Something I thought was interesting is the aspect of the pattern and its application beyond programming languages. It has many examples from the field of software development, the principles can be applied to any job or profession. The idea of challenging misconceptions and learning from diverse perspectives is interesting. Also, the emphasis on adopting new skills and approaches to problem-solving is relevant in today’s world since it’s rapidly changing. 

This pattern has caused me to reflect on my approach to learning and problem-solving in my job. It has strengthened the importance of staying adaptable and continuously seeking new knowledge and experiences. Also, it has challenged me to be more open-minded and willing to embrace anything I’m uncertain about and discomfort as part of the learning process. While the White Belt pattern is about adopting a beginner’s mindset, it may overlook the existing expertise in certain situations. While it’s important to go for new challenges with modesty, it’s also important to recognize the strengths and knowledge that come from previous experiences. Keeping a balance of openness to new ideas with confidence in one’s skills is essential for effective learning and growth. In conclusion, the White Belt pattern offers great insights into the process of continuous learning and personal development. By embracing a beginner’s mindset, people can unlock new opportunities for growth and change in their personal and professional lives. However, it’s important to strike a balance between modesty and confidence, recognizing the value of both new perspectives and existing expertise.

From the blog CS@Worcester – Kaylene Noel's Blog by Kaylene Noel and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

For this week’s blog post, I covered the design pattern “Sustainable Motivations” from chapter three of “Apprenticeship Patterns” by Dave Hoover and Adewale Oshineye. I chose “Sustainable Motivations” for this week’s pattern because I think that maintaining your motivations for your career is one of the most important things you can do for your mental health regarding software development. This chapter discusses why sustainable motivations are essential.

A section of this chapter that stuck with me was when the author says that there will be days when you are surprised that you are paid to write software and how happy you are with what you are working on. The author then mentions that those days are few and far between. “There will be days, weeks, and months when you love your job. You’ll chuckle to yourself, in awe that you actually get paid to develop software. The software you write will flow effortlessly from your mind through your fingertips, beautiful to behold in function and design. These are good and extraordinary days. In other words, they are not your ordinary days.” This was not a massive revelation for me, and I am well aware that most of my time working will be just that, working. I am not necessarily working somewhere because I love what I am developing, though I hope I do love what I am working on. That is the goal, after all.

The authors also go into some detail about what challenges a developer would face in the field. “As Paul Graham so rightly says, the typical programming job will put you face-to-face with tedious, vaguely defined, and needlessly complex problems. Nasty, wicked problems. What’s more, you may also be faced with bureaucracy, difficult personalities, and spotty leadership. There will be days, weeks, and months when you question your commitment to the craft. When you are confronted with such problems, it is crucial that your motivations to program are aligned with walking The Long Road.” Thankfully, with my experiences so far through my education, I feel prepared for the challenges that come from the work itself. From living life, I think that I can navigate bureaucratic and interpersonal issues reasonably well.

From the blog CS@Worcester – P. McManus Worcester State CS Blog by patrickmcmanus1 and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.

  This week I chose a blog post that covers the difference between black box and white box testing. In general, testing a program is a vital pillar in producing reliable software to customers. Testing helps uncover and mitigate defects in programs. Blackbox testing refers to the testing technique where the tester has zero knowledge of how the internal source code works. This technique involves the tester executing the code and analyzing the behavior and functionality. The reason why this practice is referred to as “black box testing” is because you can’t see in the box, similar to the tester not having access to the code. The benefit of black box testing is anyone can be a tester. Since the tester does not need knowledge of the internal code, there is not limit to who can be a tester. Non-programmers can execute the code and verify the results. A major disadvantage of this testing is the inability to pin point what caused the error. Since the tester has zero access to the internals, the only thing they know is the program doesn’t function as intended.

  White box testing, also referred to as clear box testing, is a testing method that involves having access to the internal workings of the code while testing it. This testing method requires the tester to have prior knowledge about programming to analyze the source code. White box testing focuses on the internal logic, code structure, and execution paths. This method of testing allows testers to pin point where the program failed, unlike black box. White box testing excels in scenarios where the accuracy and function of the program is crucial, because developers can easily debug. The main disadvantage to white box testing is it can be time consuming, since testers have to first understand the code’s intended function and analyze each line.

  This information is very useful to know when we cover and simulate each type of testing method in class. It’s crucial to know the disadvantages and advantages to a testing technique before deciding the most suitable one. For example, if you’re testing the user experience of a website, white box testing wouldn’t be the best option because the user isn’t going to access your websites source code. Black box testing would be the most effective technique because it focuses on the functionality of the website. Both of these testing techniques help developers and organizations deliver software that is reliable, meets user expectations, and complies with industry standards and regulations.

Blog Post: https://www.bairesdev.com/blog/black-box-vs-white-box-testing/

From the blog CS@Worcester – Computer Science Through a Junior by Winston Luu and used with permission of the author. All other rights reserved by the author.