What did you do this past week?

This past week, I built my first iOS application using Swift. Xcode is such a great tool that makes the process easy. My group for the iOS class also had a group meeting where we discussed the project we will be building this semester. There were many different ideas we came up with, like an application for ssh terminal, finding available parking lots, object detection. We finally decided to build an application that helps students find tutors or study groups on campus. For Software Engineer class, I spent most of my time working on the project.

What’s in your way?

This semester I have two big projects, one for SWE and the other for iOS. Since my group and I already have the iOS project figured out. We need to finish the proposal paper next week. Throughout the semester, there are three phases of our development, Alpha, Beta, and Final release. We need to plan the features to be implemented during each phase.

What will you do next week? 

I have five assignments due next week. Three of them are related to the iOS project. This shouldn’t take too much time because there are four of us working on it together. For NLP, we are using PyTorch to build a deep neural network that tags part of speech. Since I took the Neural Network class last semester, this shouldn’t be too challenging. I also need to work on the Compilers’ assignment.

What was your experience of Project #1 (the problem, the overkill requirements of submission, etc.)?

I really enjoyed working on this project. The problem wasn’t too difficult. I was able to pass all of the tests after implementing the optimization we talked about during class. The step-by-step instruction in the workflow was clear and easy to follow. Using pylint and mypy was a great help on learning the style of python code.

What’s your pick-of-the-week or tip-of-the-week?

My pick-of-the-week is a youtube playlist about system design questions.

I ran into this playlist while I was preparing for a job interview. I’ve only watched a few of them, but they were very helpful. For each problem, he talks about what kind of questions we should be asking and constraints we should be concerned about.

What did you do this past week?

I spent most of my time working on assignments this past week. For IOS class, I implemented a role-playing game in Swift. This was a good exercise for understanding the basics of this language. In class, we also learned how to build our first app. Xcode definitely makes things a lot easier. My NLP assignment was to implement sentiment analysis using different algorithms. Before getting started, I thought it was going to be really hard, but it’s actually not that bad. I really enjoyed using different techniques to improve my algorithm.

What’s in your way?

I’ve been sick this weekend, so I haven’t had a chance to work on the assignments due next week. The IOS homework doesn’t seem that hard because it’s basically a review of what we did in class. SWE would probably be more time-consuming. I also have four assignments due the week after next. I definitely need to work on time management. Hope I will still have time to go to the gym every other day.

What will you do next week? 

I will work on my assignments for IOS and Software Engineer next week. I have already finished most part of IOS, but need to get started on Software Engineer. I also need to prepare better for the quizzes in this class. As of my research project, we will be using our website during some training sessions. I need to finish testing all the features.

What was your experience of learning the basics of Python?

Before starting this class, I already knew some of the basics of Python. However, the content taught during class was much more detailed, especially on the differences between different data structures and operators. It is definitely helpful, and I wish we had the chance to go over the basics of JavaScript as well.

What’s your pick-of-the-week or tip-of-the-week?

My pick-of-the-week is Play Framework.

https://www.playframework.com/

It is a Java and Scala based web application framework. Following the Model-View-Controller architectural pattern, developers can use Java or Scala for the back-end. I came across this framework during my research project. It made developing a complicated website easy. The application can be deployed on any machine that has Java installed.

What did you do this past week?

I learned Swift in iOS class and just finished my first homework for that class. It is time-consuming because I had to look up the documentation constantly. I spent lots of time studying Compilers and Natural Language Processing. Both have assignments due next week and I am having trouble getting started on them. For my research project, I finally had our website set up and users can now check out the use cases.

What’s in your way?

I did not do quite well on the quiz this week, so I need to spend more time on the readings for this class. The upcoming project does not seem too hard but it doesn’t hurt to start early. I also signed up for personal training classes twice a week. I will also continue to take the online Machine Learning class. Hopefully, this will help with the new problem I am facing for my research project.

What will you do next week? 

I will work on my assignments for Compilers and Natural Language Processing next week. Planning and designing would probably take up most of the time, but I think I have most of it figured out. For this class, I need to get started on the projects and readings. As of my research project, I will be brainstorming ideas that integrate AI with online education. I am also starting my first personal training class next week, couldn’t wait to get started!

What’s your experience of the in-class exercises?

I really enjoyed working with a partner on the HackerRank exercise. The instructions were clear and I think it is a good way to practice the materials taught in the lecture. I definitely felt I had a better understanding of the different functions in Python. Working with a partner was also helpful. It is interesting to see and learn from how others approach the same problem.

What’s your pick-of-the-week or tip-of-the-week?

My pick-of-the-week is this youtube playlist about the commonly seen coding interview questions.

As many of us are seeking for internship and full-time Software Engineer jobs. This playlist can really help prepare for the technical interviews. In each video, he explains his approach to the problem just like how we would answer it during a technical interview. He always starts with a brute force solution and optimizes it as he goes. After watching all his videos, I noticed a lot of real-life interview questions I’ve seen are built upon these basic questions.

What did you do this past week?

I had been worried about getting into a 4th CS course and graduating on time this past week. Fortunately, it was finalized on Friday. I also had my first assignment for NLP class. The questions about probability gave me a really hard time. Although I have been quite busy, I still had time to go to the gym every day.

What’s in your way?

Since I just got into Compilers, and I haven’t been to the class yet, I really need to catch up with the materials. For SWE, I need to get familiarized with the tools used, especially Docker. I also hope I will have time to finish the online Machine Learning class I started taking during the break.

What will you do next week? 

I will get started on the readings and assignments for all my classes. NLP would probably be challenging because it involves lots of probability and linear algebra which I am not really confident in. I also need to go to office hours of my Compilers class to catch up what I missed last week. I heard the workload is pretty high, so I should start early on the projects. Hope I will still have time to exercise. My main goal of this semester is to get fit. Also, I’m starting my part-time job as a research assistant next week.

I will get started on the readings and assignments for all my classes. NLP would probably be challenging because it involves lots of probability and linear algebra which I am not really confident in. I also need to go to office hours of my Compilers class to catch up what I missed last week. I heard the workload is pretty high, so I should start early on the projects. Hope I will still have time to exercise. My main goal of this semester is to get fit. Also, I’m starting my part-time job as a research assistant next week.

What are your expectations of the class?

I hope to get familiarized with the entire process of building a software system. I know both Python and Javascript but not much about how to connect them together. I look forward to building interesting projects. I am most excited about learning about SQL since it is such an important tool for databases. This class would definitely be an eye-opening experience where I can be exposed to commonly used tools in the industry.

What’s your pick-of-the-week or tip-of-the-week?

My pick-of-the-week is StackExchange. I assume all of us have used StackOverflow at some point. StackExchange is a network of websites including StackOverflow. It has a variety of communities dedicated to game development, web applications, LaTeX, Android development, etc. It’s not just limited to technology. There are also communities related to cultural, art, science, and business. If you are looking for professionals and enthusiasts with a shared interest, you should check it out.

https://stackexchange.com/sites#