Newbie to Newbie Blog Part Two

"Prior to beginning work on this interactive assignment, read Chapters 1 through 3 in Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis

 (Links to an external site.); Chapter 1, Section 1.7: O Notation in Data Structures Essentials; the Complexity Analysis (Links to an external site.) article; and the Time Complexity, Space Complexity, and the O-notation (Links to an external site.) article.

Explain to another newbie how to apply algorithmic design and data structure techniques in developing structured programs. Are some algorithms and data structure designs better than others? If so, explain why one design would be used before another design would be used. Discuss in the post how you would apply algorithmic design and data structure techniques in developing structured programs."

Wow, so, those articles about complexity are full of some really dense math-talk. Way denser than I intend to parse through for this assignment. Sorry. Here's my takeaway: Some algorithms are better than others at handling huge amounts of input data. As the amount of data grows, the differences between algorithms tends to stand out more sharply. Some algorithms will take more time, while others will take more memory capacity. The really bad ones will do both. The really good ones will do neither, but those are few and far between because they're difficult to make.

What confuses me, however, is that these concepts aren't ones that we've actually worked with throughout this course. We've learned how to implement a list, a stack, a queue, and even a tree, and we've also learned about different types of sorting and searching algorithms. But we haven't learned about designing algorithms or data structures, and I don't remember learning the definition of a "structured program," either. We supposedly learned about recursion, but despite my inability to display any recursive functionality in my code, I was still congratulated and given full marks for doing it anyway.

This makes me wonder whether I'm doing something wrong, making me unable to see my classmate's blog post, or whether the instructor didn't bother to click on the faulty link before complimenting its contents. I don't know what to think of this course anymore.

Guess it's time to more on to the final project, now.

Post #5 – Computers in the Workplace [CLOs: 1, 2]

 You initially completed this post in your Computers in the Workplace discussion in Week Four. Review the instructions here and incorporate the peer and instructor feedback from the Week Four discussion in your fifth blog post.

In your initial post, you will choose a specific industry (e.g., construction, sales, healthcare, and education, etc.). Based on your current understanding of information technology, your experience with that industry, and any additional research as necessary, describe the functions of computers in your chosen industry. Explain why it is important for employees in this type of environment to be computer literate. Considering the historic trends of computing, forecast how evolutions in computer hardware, operating systems, and networking will impact your chosen industry over the next ten years.

Post #4 – Traveling Through a Network [CLO: 6]

 You initially completed this post in your Traveling Through a Network interactive assignment in Week Three. Review the instructions here and incorporate the peer and instructor feedback from the Week Three interactive assignment in your fourth blog post.

In this interactive assignment, you will use ping and traceroute commands as tools for exploring how packets of information travel through networks.

Post #2 – Web/Mobile App Critique [CLO: 4]

 You initially completed this post in your Web/Mobile App Critique discussion in Week Two. Review the instructions here and incorporate the peer feedback from the Week Two discussion in your second blog post.

To complete this discussion, you will write a review of a web/mobile app that you are familiar with. Or, if you are not familiar with any web or mobile app, you may select one from the list provided in your text to explore and review.

Evaluate the app’s usability, design, and functionality. Use screenshots to show how the app works. Propose at least three recommendations for improvements. Your discussion should be approximately 500 words in length and include a minimum of two screenshots.