Author Archives: Joan Marie

Reflections on the Third Week at The Iron Yard

We continued to learn JavaScript in week 3, focusing on functionality and constructing our own libraries of functions. We also got an introduction on how to place JavaScript on a web page so that the results of the code show up. There was also some review on html and css; I was particularly interested in constructing buttons. On Friday, we had an exercise in which we set up a web page using html and css (which we hadn’t used significantly since week one) from a diagram. The web page I made was less sophisticated than I had hoped for, but this is something I can work on in the coming weeks.

I got another chance to present my code to the class for discussion. We also worked on some team projects, and I’ve been impressed with the results from collaboration.

We were introduced to prototypes in JavaScript, which didn’t make sense to me until Jim went over one of the exercises, and I realized that prototypes are a way to associate a function with an object. It’s generally easier and more effective for me to understand an aspect of code when it is put into practice, beyond just reading about it.

I anticipate even more progress in the upcoming weeks.

Reflections on the second week at The Iron Yard

During week 2 we worked on JavaScript. I was glad that I went through the JavaScript exercises at Codecademy before class started, because we quickly went through the basics and into the more complex aspects of the programming language. If I had not already had experience with those basics, I might have felt lost.

We continued to read each other’s code, which was useful in that we were able to see that, in general, there are different ways for the code to accomplish the same task. Sometimes we paired up to compare methods; other times someone would get up in front of the class to show the code they had written and invite comments. I was able to do this earlier in the week.

On Friday, some of our assigned tasks involved using one function to call another. A particularly complicated assignment required us to write a function where one of the arguments was another function (referred to as a callback). This initially posed a dilemma for me, since I could not see how this could work unless I was able to add functionally within the callback—and, as it turned out, that’s what needed to be done and was actually possible, though not easy.

Along with this we covered “best practices” of coding, as well as the reasons why one style of coding might result in fewer problems than another style. In addition, we continued to learn more programming tools and techniques.

Overall, this continues to be a satisfying learning experience. It is intensive, but the intensity seems to give the tasks focus. Looking forward to seeing what’s next!

Reflections on the first week at The Iron Yard

It’s the end of my first week at The Iron Yard code school. The first week was learning and applying code in HTML and CSS, as well as acquiring and learning to use a set of programming tools. Jim (@JimTheDev) is an excellent instructor: knowledgeable, patient, and upbeat. The environment is fast-paced without being frantic, though the result has been that when I turn in my work for evaluation, I tend to think that I could have done better if I had more time. However, Jim said, and I agree, that in real-world programming, one has to do one’s best in the time frame one has.

 

Another point Jim made was the value of repetition: performing tasks often until they become second nature. In this way, I’ve managed to learn the basics of the command line fairly well.

 

Manuals are great for reference, and I prefer to have one around—although, for me, lasting learning has come from applying the code, and to that end, we (the entire class) are getting lots of practice. In my experience, this is the fun of coding, and the time passes pleasantly. However, I’m learning the code and the essentials on how to operate a MacBook Pro and how to inspect a website and so forth, at the same time, which makes the process more time-consuming. I expect that learning the tools and the hardware will take proportionally less time as the course continues.

 

GitHub was introduced to me as a way to collaborate on code. Right now, though, I’m appreciating it as a way to back up and preserve my code for my own reference.

 

Overall, it’s been a fun and challenging week.

HTML vs. HTML plus CSS

The first websites I built were using html only. They were functional, but not sophisticated. It wasn’t until I started using software which converted a page of text and graphics to html, and later, WordPress, that I was able to build websites that had anything beyond basic functionality.

 

CSS (and SASS) is what helps give a website structure and better functionality. The box model, in particular, defines the page. Additional CSS selectors can define characteristics such as line height, fonts, letter sizes, and so forth. These selectors can apply to just one line, to a section of the web page, or the entire web page. Other selectors can be used to structure menus and drop-down menus. The variety and versatility of choices means a wide variety of web formats can be built.

 

I went over 26 sections at atozcss.com in an afternoon. I would have found them even more helpful had I known about this site before starting code school, because then I could have taken the time to go over the material in more depth, and perhaps test out some sections of code. Showing the code alongside how a web page featuring the code appeared would have been even more useful, in that I could have seen the one-to-one correspondence between the code and the page appearance.

 

Nonetheless, I have noted the atozcss.com site for future reference, and may find myself referring to it.

Changing Computer Programming Practices

Some observations in learning a computer language for the first time: the internet (as it is known today) was not around when I was introduced to computer programming languages (BASIC, FORTRAN, assembler, etc.). The instruction was primarily in a classroom, using a manual (textbook), followed by assignments where we were asked to write a program to [fill in the blank]. This is the way I prefer to learn anything new (not limited to computer languages). I remember once I got a job where I was taught assembler language through watching videotapes, and didn’t get much out of it. To supplement that, I took night classes in the language, where I learned much more. I find I get far better results from interaction with an instructor and from the use of a written text.

That’s not to say that I don’t get anything from online learning. The Codecademy courses (css, Javascript), were very instructive, and I find that I can interpret code written in those languages fairly well, now that I have completed those exercises. One item I noticed was the vertical organization. In my previous education as a computer programmer, we wrote FORTRAN (for instance) horizontally, though we still used indents to group related items.

The languages themselves retain essentially the same functionality: loops, arrays, and so forth. Javascript reminds me of FORTRAN. The command line codes remind me of the more recent MS-DOS. GIT is different: while I recognize the principle behind it, and realize that it serves a useful function, the commands are not intuitively obvious to me at this point, though I expect that I will become accustomed to them with use.

Learning coding without the use of a manual is also a challenging experience. When I first learned computer programming, if I had a question, I’d either consult the manual, or ask the instructor or the instructor’s assistant. When I was on the job as a programmer, though I could ask my co-workers or my supervisor (and sometimes did), I most often consulted the manual (generally, I knew what I wanted to do, I just needed to find the optimal operation to accomplish the task). In the past year, however, I have found that Google can often answer a coding problem or question, and that it routinely consults message boards where users post their problems and get responses from other users. I have to admit I found it amusing that someone asking a simplistic question can get an answer in an acronym meaning “have you consulted [censored] Google!?!?!” (Or was it “have you [censored] consulted Google!?!?”)

Most of all, I’m impressed by the depth and complexity of the code, which offers a deliciously wide range of options. I’m looking forward to putting all that into practice.

The computer programming experience: learning and application

I have taken computer programming courses before (in programming theory and also in languages such as FORTRAN and assembler language), and I have worked as a computer programmer, so I have had experience in writing, testing, and modifying code.

I’ve found that a flexible attitude (or what author Carol S. Dweck calls a “growth mindset” in her book, Mindset) is an asset in learning and applying coding skills. My experience is that code that reads well does not always perform well; it does not always perform as expected. When that happens, I don’t take it personally or as a failure on my part; I simply go back to the code and see what sort of adjustments need to be made.

This is not to say that the experience is not extremely frustrating; it is. Looking at a section of code for what seems to be hours for a missing parenthesis or misplaced semicolon can be aggravating. Not getting the expected result can be discouraging. This is pretty much inevitable when taking a programming class. When that happens, my plan is to pause, reflect, take a breath, analyze the problem, and where needed, get other ideas on what might be causing the difficulty.

Most of all, I’ve found that, eventually, I can get the code to do what it needs to do. It just takes time, patience, and flexibility.

Modern Surprises – science fiction novel

Having fun while saving the world

Modern Surprises was no ordinary company: the science division had secretly developed a portal that would take them anywhere. The plan was to use the portal to help those in need. However, a billionaire industrialist found out about the portal, and would lie, cheat, and steal to get it. But the Modern Surprises team was not about to let him have it.

“Joan’s prose is always cool, it’s a majority female team and that’s such a good title.” —Paul Cornell, author of Who Killed Sherlock Holmes?

“Modern Surprises [is] a delightful adventure story…. This book is tremendous fun, and has a lot of really strong, fascinating characters, most of whom happen to be female. Really groovy stuff, and you should check it out.” —Keith R.A. DeCandido, author of Dragon Precinct

Wondry Dragon Finds a Home

Children’s Bookwatch: February 2016
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Diane Donovan, Editor
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575

The Fantasy/SciFi Shelf

Wondry Dragon Finds a Home
Joan Marie Verba
FTL Publications
PO Box 1363, Minnetonka, MN 55345-0363
www.ftlpublications.com
9781936881444, $6.87, PB, 66pp, www.amazon.com

Do you like dragons? The follow the adventures of Wondry Dragon as she finds a new home with her new human friend, Rhea in Joan Marie Verba’s delightful story, “Wondry Dragon Finds a Home”. Rhea and her mom and dad have never had a dragon in the house before, and they all learn what Wondry can and cannot do. Rhea and Wondry play together, help out their neighbors — and try to stay out of trouble. Rhea can never tell what Wondry will do next because Wondry is always surprising her with what dragons can do. Wondry will surprise young readers ages 6 to 8 as well! A children’s chapter book story suitable for students in grades 1-3, “Wondry Dragon Finds a Home” is very highly recommended for both community and elementary school libraries. For children’s personal reading lists it should be noted that “Wondry Dragon Finds a Home” is also available in a Kindle edition ($2.99).

Coloring Books from Joan Marie Verba

I’ve recently started putting together coloring books. Here are the first two:

These 25 designs are generic cityscapes for both children and adults who want easy drawings to color. Most of the drawings are simple, though some are more complex. Feel free to color entire sections or individual buildings. You can even create a mural or write on the side of a building. There are dotted lines at the side of each page. There is only one drawing per piece of paper, so if you wish to cut them out and save them, use the dotted line as a guide. Whether you need a coloring book for an adult or a child, this is one to consider!

Paperback available here.

This coloring book is for both kids and grownups who want easy drawings to color. Most of the 26 drawings are simple, and you can add your own designs in the blank areas if you wish. There is only one drawing on each piece of paper (the back side of the page is blank). The dotted lines on each page show where you can cut out the page from the book if you want to display the finished piece, or color the drawing outside of the book. Whether you need a coloring book for an adult or a child, this is one to consider!