Category Archives: Software

Final Project Guidelines for Computer Programming Classes

Posted on 16 November 2020 by Wayne Cook

Each of my Computer Science classes require a final project of complexity commensurate with what is learned in the class. The computer language used is the language studied during the semester. Currently, that is either Java or C++. This document … Continue reading →

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Interviewing

Posted on 27 October 2019 by Wayne Cook

Knowing how to interview for a computer programming/design position is almost as important as the learning how to program. Over the years, I have had friends who were excellent programmers, including the design process, who lost out to people who … Continue reading →

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What is the main difference between C and Fortran?

Posted on 6 September 2019 by Wayne Cook

The answer here is based on FORTRAN IV, the version of FORTRAN with which I have the most familiarity. The newer FORTRANs may have fixed the following problems. FORTRAN simply means Formula Translation. It is one of the first languages … Continue reading →

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C++ Hardest New Concept

Posted on 4 July 2019 by Wayne Cook

I teach C++ programming to beginners. All of them seem to quickly understand simple programs like “Hello World.” They can get the logic down fairly well in simple flow charts. But where they seem to have the most struggles is … Continue reading →

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What is the purpose of a pointer in programming?

Posted on 28 October 2018 by Wayne Cook

The full question ended with: “Why not access the variable directly?” It depends on what you mean by “access the variable directly.” In Algol derived languages (like C, C#, C++, Pascal, Ada), the way to access a variable directly is … Continue reading →

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Which programming language did you think would be prominent, but turned out to be a complete dud?

Posted on 18 September 2018 by Wayne Cook

Wayne Cook, Certified Scrum Master After reading John Dougherty’s answer on Quora, I was tempted not to answer. But, that was only a fleeting thought. It is hard to limit it to just one language. I was originally thinking of … Continue reading →

Posted in Ada, Algol, FORTRAN, Java, LISP, Pascal, Software | Tagged | 2 Comments

Should I learn how to code or learn another language?

Posted on 3 December 2017 by Wayne Cook

I have been working with software development since I was a junior in high school. I have used at least twenty-five languages for various projects. I can take my coding skills from language to language (at least in groups of … Continue reading →

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Do You Really Want to Work for a Large Corporation?

Posted on 24 September 2017 by Wayne Cook

Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix, two companies for whom I have worked, were once garage-shop companies. Most companies start up that way and grow bigger as they reach their goals. The founders of companies care about their companies and the employees, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Agile Methodology, Attitude, Becoming, Computers, Divergent Thinking, Do, Financial Health, Fulfilling Life, Goals, Mentor, older Americans, Planning, SCRUM, SCRUM Methodology, Self-Worth, Software, Thinking, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Are all Experienced Engineers Rude and New Engineers Obnoxious

Posted on 27 March 2017 by Wayne Cook

This was written in response on Quora asking if all experienced engineers rude. In many respects, it is written as a letter to new engineers just coming out of school. I have been producing software for many years. Most new … Continue reading →

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Agile Manifesto

Posted on 14 March 2017 by Wayne Cook

It is best to understand a little history behind the Agile Manifesto to comprehend what the intention of the seventeen authors of the original manifesto was.  My link to one of the authors goes back to when I worked at … Continue reading →

Posted in Agile Methodology, Attitude, Code Reviews, Computers, Goals, SCRUM, SCRUM Methodology, Self-Worth, Serving, Software, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments