Monday, September 8, 2014

    This last week has been very interesting.  The work with variables reminds me of the work that my dad does with macros in exel.  One thing did interest me though.  Can you only use a single letter or variable when defining integers, or can you give them a word name?  For instance, in my code for the length of the jellybeans, I defined the variable as l, but could I have named it length?  Where does it store the data for the name?  If you can use multiple symbols, what is the limit?
    I have taken a sneak peak at the lesson for today and am looking forward to it.  I love if statements from what Dad has shown me.  I know that java will work a little differently from vb, but the concept should be the same.  What will be our first big assignment?
    Remembering all the different data types is difficult.  I have only used int and double so far.  Int is good because it uses less memory and data, so will make a larger code faster.  Double however can deal with decimal points which can be invaluable when working with math.  I know in theory how string works, but have yet to employ it.  If one types string and defines it as a series of symbols, the computer will remember the symbols instead of a number.  This can be useful when you want to personalize the interface with input like names, as the computer can remember the symbols and spit them out on command, but does not know how to edit or interpret them.  I also am aware that there are larger data types for very large numbers, but cannot remember how they are typed.
    Another thing that is curios to me is the "public class" and "public static void."  The code will not run without them but I don't understand what they do.  The "public static void" has to define some setting as it can be copy and pasted in, whereas the "pubic class" has to connect to some data somewhere.  What data is this?  It has to be something editable or it would be in the background, rather than in the lines of code you type in.  How would the code run differently without it?  Are there other versions of it one could use, and if so what are they?
    Thank you for taking the time to read over my rantings, summaries of things you already know, and questions that I will certainly learn later in the coarse.  You have been a wonderful teacher so far, and I look forward to learning more code with you. :)