Posted by christophrejmc on February 22, 2002, at 20:29:35
In reply to Re: Just a thought ... » christophrejmc, posted by IsoM on February 22, 2002, at 13:40:12
> Chris, my son programs in a multitude of languages, most of them self-taught. There's Assemby language, C, C++, Visual Basic, HTML, Java (not Java script), & COBOL. I'm missing 2 more as I know he knows 9 diff languages but can't think of the last two. At least, he can't program in binary or hexadecimal, whew! ;-)
I bet he can. If he knows assembly, he probably knows some of the opcodes in base-16 or base-2 (e.g. int = "0xCD"; not enough to write a useful program, but it's fun to write little executables from scratch ;). COBOL? COBOL is a fun language, but I can't imagine writing a large program in it -- he must have some kind of patience (EXCLAMATION SECTION.)!
> Does POSIX have much application in industry or software today so that you could use X Windows?
Well, Xlib (the basic library used to communicate with the X server) is written in C, but most of the applications and application libraries are written in C++. I know C++ fairly well (I took three years of it in high school), but a lot of C programmers view C++ as blasphemous (especially because it's "C++" and not "D" -- BC*D*L). I've never been much of a fan, and I tend to use mostly C in my C++ programs (driving my teacher nuts :). It's hard to make the switch when you learn C first.
> If you love programming, I'd really suggest you learn Java. It's the programming language of future applications for the next while till something better gets developed down the line.I've used the Java application language before, it's nice, but I don't know if I'd be able to do it for a living.
> He doesn't have ADHD, that's another son who doesn't quite know what to do with his life (like me) & moves from one thing to another. I'd imagine ADHD to be a handicap in programming, but I'm only looking at it from my standpoint - could be wrong.
I think it depends. My ADD prevents me from concentrating on one set of functions for a long time; luckily, most programs are broken up into several source files. I skip around a lot -- some programs get finished, some get half-finished, but I usually get to everything eventually.
> Finding a niche for him has done so much for his depression - more than meds ever could alone.
I think it would do the same for me -- giving myself a "purpose."
> Chris, I'd strongly encourage you to buy some programming books & take it from there. Programming sounds like an ideal career for your social shyness. Start playing around with learning - with no pressure, deadlines, exams, etc. Regard it as fun. If you can get a comfortable feel for some languages like Java, when you do need to learn more, it'll be familiar & not so stressful.
I think part of my problem is that I only learn what I want to. I can code in quite a few languages, but I don't know all the basic functions for every one; I make do, but optimisations for speed & size are really important.
> Do you take any stims? He takes Dexedrine regularly & I need adrafinil, otherwise the river of water starts to thicken.
I don't right now. I'd like to try adrafinil. Stimulants usually make me hyperfocus, which isn't always good.
> Just "oh, it's only Judy. That's okay." There's a young couple in their twenties just beside me. They are the BEST ever. They're everything I am - into the same sci-fi shows, loves aquarium fish, gardening, Renaissance fairs & history, computers & similar games, same bizarre off-the-wall humour. Their dog I've played with from when she was a puppy (she's a mix & looks like a wolf). She thinks I'm her big sister, just another funny looking dog who's good to romp with. They think nothing unusual of me when they hear strange noises from my place & vice versa!
I'm not one to make generalisations, but why are Canadians usually so much cooler than USAmericans (I'm Canadian, but born/raised in USA)? Maybe I just need to get out of the suburbs.
> I'd highly recommend you check out her songs - she takes your breath away.I listened to some of them -- they're good, but I'm having trouble imagining you singing them!
-chris
P.S. - I know what a slide rule is!
poster:christophrejmc
thread:18688
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020214/msgs/18717.html