Computer Science HELP Please :)

Meng · December 22, 2004, 4:12pm

I just started self-learning Computer Science and I’m planning to take the AB test. Unfortunately, I know NO Java and buying the PR book to learn it was a big mistake. They talk about things and I’m just like ?_?

Fortunately, I know scripting and some formations look like PHP codes I’ve done. However, there are differences and I don’t know how to go about learning it exactly.

Are there resources online that will help me script Java? And additionally, how do I test my own coding abilities afterwards?

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

ecnerwalc3321 · December 22, 2004, 4:17pm

get an integrated environment to learn to program JAVA. at school, we use BlueJ, which let execute the code then points out what mistakes you made. It’s very handy. Also, look into getting or borrowing the book JAVA Essentials for quick and easy lessons on JAVA programming. I am not taking AP CS though. Don’t know anything about it.

Meng · December 22, 2004, 5:17pm

Thanks, I’m also planning on asking the teacher who teaches the AP course at our school what exactly to do as well. Maybe he can steer me in the right direction ^^;

Actually looking past all the language, I’m getting it (THANK YOU PHP EXPERIENCE!). It’s just USING the code that I’m unsure of. And when to use what.

Any other tips you can offer me? :)

ecnerwalc3321 · December 22, 2004, 6:49pm

I have no idea what PHP is. What do you mean by USING the code?

lakhannv · December 22, 2004, 6:58pm

Maybe i don’t understand you correctly, but by scripting do u mean a compiler of some sort? I take AP Computer Science (as a class) and we use Jcreator it tells you where there are errors to improve your syntax skills just like the BLueJ thing mentioned above. Our textbook we are using is ‘Java Software Solutions’ (blue cover) theres tons of programs in there to test your coding abilities. Your aiming high w/ AB test. GL

kgr · December 22, 2004, 7:07pm

hmm, to what extent have you used php ?
see, all those languages- Java, C++, php, perl, anything- have the same basis. I mean, they differ in syntaxis, etc, but the whole system is basically the same.
if you just used php in combination with other scripting languages, i.e. JavaScript, you will be fine.
Now, if you didn’t (as Im guessing), this is a bit of a problem. Java is generally used for applets- get JBuilder or RealJ and create programs with it- don’t just learn theory !
here’s a good website to get you started: <a href=“http://mrsimon.net%5B/url%5D”>http://mrsimon.net</a>
that’s my cs teacher’s site and it has a bunch of assignments you can do to test your skills and a bunch of powerpoint slides with theory.
should help you a lot
also, get Barron’s book. That book helped me get a 5 on AB last year (although Im pretty sure I could’ve gotten a 5 without it :))

to ecnerwalc3321: php is basically a scripting language that is used almost exclusively online (instead of static html pages). Like this site, for example- look at the url- is using message boards based on phpbb (im guessing phpbb2).

I myself deal a little with php b/c I administer a site that uses postnuke and phpbb2 (first one is structure of site based on php, second is message board). so, if you’re good with it and can feel what you’re doing, you’ll master the exam (provided that you do some assignments and understand maps/hashs/trees)

kgr · December 22, 2004, 7:16pm

no. scripting is just chunks of code in scripting language. scripting has nothing to do with a compiler or an IDE. scripting is used when you need some sort of event, and you can;t implement a whole program that would do it (too big)
it is also used to do secure transactions over net, and basically most scripts- perl,cgi, php, etc- are used instead of static html pages= the pages are generated by scripts when a user request is proceessed. in static html, you need all the pages to be uploaded in order for users to view it.

for example, here is small chunk of script that enables you to rotate any text in a webpage:
(copy and paste all of this in a .txt file and save it as a html file- you’ll see what Im talking about)

<title>JavaScript - 3D Text</title>
<meta http-equiv=“Content-Type” content=“text/html; charset=windows-1251”>
<!-- HEAD START HERE –>
<script language=“JavaScript”>
<!–
var timer
function initiate() {
mytext1.Rotate(0,0,10)
mytext2.Rotate(0,0,-10)
mytext3.Rotate(0,5,0)
timer=setTimeout(“initiate()”,20)
}

// - End of JavaScript - –>
</script>

<!-- HEAD END HERE –>

<!-- BODY START HERE –>

Meng · December 22, 2004, 7:17pm

I believe CC is using vBulletin at a loose system (turned off most images and features). Yay another administrator of a forum :)!

Using code meaning … what at the end does Java do? Games, etc. I would like to see it in work and then look at the code. At least, that’s how I started on PHP. Yes I am aiming high; I never expected less. Unfortunately, I am struggling with this.

Thank you for the website! Finally some real practice ^^ I’m still stuck with the PR book (it’s not bad, just confusing since I’m a beginner) for now. I’ll get JBuilder or RealJ to help me!

kgr · December 22, 2004, 7:30pm

yeah, jcreator would also suffice. :)

about what does java do. it does applet games, applet client-server applications or just applications in windows.
now, I don’t understand collegeboard changing tests from c++ to java.
because the whole world revolves around c++. heck, everything from windows to java compilers is written in c++. all complex games, toolkits and programs such as 3dmax and photoshop are in c++.
go figure…
what java does (besides applets) c++ does better.
java is more ‘idiotproof’, but that’s it.

in fact, since im done with cs courses in high school, Im hanging in there by doing programming on my own. Everything since the end of ab exam was in c++, php or javascript.
nothing in java, really.

Meng · December 22, 2004, 7:37pm

Downloading it now actually.

Curious, sorry for being SUCH a newbie at this, I understand the point of System.out.println(“”);

but I see

public myMethod () { or public … something else

What’s the point of the public declarance?

kgr · December 22, 2004, 7:52pm

public- usable by other classes

protected- usable by classes’ children

private- can’t access method in any other place except the class it’s declared in

all this is in barron’s

and this is pretty important- it’s object orientated programming.

Meng · December 22, 2004, 8:06pm

:) Excellent – that explains a LOT. I wish I could get barrons now but I already spent around $80 on these books! I did get Barrons for Physics C… even though I really don’t need it. -.-; I’m just that good at making decisions.

Don’t worry, I’ll pull through somehow by asking random idiotic questions. Thanks KGR.

lakhannv · December 22, 2004, 11:39pm

i confuse my teacher w/ questions… ur fine

Meng · December 23, 2004, 1:57pm

:) Thanks.

I’m also trying to get my friend to send me all of her work for the class. I need to look at FULL code, not part. If anyone else has something to give me (which would be really helpful, I learn by doing whole not part) that would be great! Just PM me ^_^

michael_pham · December 24, 2004, 2:22am

By the way: Check out java.sun.com or java.sun.microsystems.com (I forgot which one it is), but it is the website of the people who created java.
They have a really good tutorial that takes you through every aspect of java and stuff you were talking about like public, etc.

They include diagrams and what not also.
The tutorial is somewhere on the site, you’ll have to search.
I think it is on the bottom left. Been a while since I went to it.

I suggest going on ebay and buying a Java textbook used in schools.
We use “Java Software Solutions for AP Computer Science”.

Meng · December 24, 2004, 4:37pm

It’s java.sun.com. Thanks! I think that’s the one we use too. I might just ask for a copy <.< I’m sure they’ll lend me one. If not, I’ll just [ahem] steal my friend’s. She’ll let me leaf through it.

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