Prepping for software development at third level

rhythm90

Hi guys,

So I'm looking at starting into either Computing with Software Development in IT Tallaght - http://www.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/course?id=331 or Information Systems & Information Technology in DIT - https://www.dit.ie/catalogue/Programmes/Details/DT249, this coming September.


I'm trying to be as proactive as possible and make a headstart on some of the course content as 10 years ago (fresh out of school) I enrolled on a similar course in IADT and quickly fell behind - granted I wasn't at all in the right mindset at the time to commit to any course.


So far I've been making my way through some Java tutorials, I've found The New Boston's channel on Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJbPGzawDH1njbqV-D5HqKw ) and that's very helpful, but I was wondering what you guys might suggest along with the Java that I might also take a look at between now and September...?

I had some exposure to HTML & CSS before, though nothing recent, and I know there will quickly be an introduction to MySQL on either course once we get talking about databases.... so would some basic tutorials on those be another good starting point?

Thanks!

Buford T Justice

Before you start with Java, have you checked to see what languages are part of the curriculum in each course?

John_Mc

Java is a good one if you're going to be doing object orientated programming in some modules. Relational Database Design will most likely come up if the course has any depth to it. MySQL is as good as any other one to use.

Programming is more a state of mind so keep with it and try to work on a project of your own. That's a great way to get familiar.

Another thing worth looking into is source control systems. Git/Github is probably the most popular at the moment so maybe get familar with creating new repositories, pushing and pulling etc.

rhythm90

Buford T Justice wrote: »

Before you start with Java, have you checked to see what languages are part of the curriculum in each course?

I did note that pretty much everything covered in this module could be done through Java... http://courses.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/3881

Plus back when I was at college before pretty much the first six months of first year in programming was all about Java... So I figured it would be a safe enough place to start... I hear people say also that once you pick up one programming language, it can be handy enough to get the ropes of enough reasonably quickly... Say C or Python...?

Also @John Mc - I note that relational databases come up right from the beginning in the IT Tallaght course in year 1 though not until year 2 in the DIT course. Covered in both in any case. See: http://courses.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/3875 & https://www.dit.ie/catalogue/Modules/Details/CMPU2006

To be honest, I'm on the fence as to which to choose at the moment...

Anybody care to give the syllabus a quick butchers and let me know their thoughts?

John_Mc

rhythm90 wrote: »

I did note that pretty much everything covered in this module could be done through Java... http://courses.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/3881

Plus back when I was at college before pretty much the first six months of first year in programming was all about Java... So I figured it would be a safe enough place to start... I hear people say also that once you pick up one programming language, it can be handy enough to get the ropes of enough reasonably quickly... Say C or Python...?

Also @John Mc - I note that relational databases come up right from the beginning in the IT Tallaght course in year 1 though not until year 2 in the DIT course. Covered in both in any case. See: http://courses.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/3875 & https://www.dit.ie/catalogue/Modules/Details/CMPU2006

To be honest, I'm on the fence as to which to choose at the moment...

Anybody care to give the syllabus a quick butchers and let me know their thoughts?

C is quite different to Java as it's older but you could transfer from Java to C# quite easily.

As for databases, yes definitely go ahead with playing around with them and writing SQL as you can't create any complex application without a database or API, which usually sits on top of a database, so whatever course you do won't go to waste

jester77

Instead of focusing on a specific language, maybe focus on general algorithms, understand object oriented programming paradigms vs functional programming and have a look at some of the common design patterns. Once you have a good understanding of problems, then the language part will come easy enough.

OwenM

make something that works.

look at github, see if there is something you contribute to.

IOT is a buzzword and this usually draws scorn but a lot more devices will be connected in the future - have a look at getting a raspberry Pi and doing something with that. Even something as simple as like connecting a temperature sensor to one , logging the data and making it available by a restful webservice call.

just suggestions.....

Buford T Justice

rhythm90 wrote: »

I did note that pretty much everything covered in this module could be done through Java... http://courses.it-tallaght.ie/index.cfm/page/module/moduleId/3881

Plus back when I was at college before pretty much the first six months of first year in programming was all about Java... So I figured it would be a safe enough place to start... I hear people say also that once you pick up one programming language, it can be handy enough to get the ropes of enough reasonably quickly... Say C or Python...?

This is true yes, but most problems can be solved in any language too, so that doesn't really answer the question. Java is easily transferable, but if you're a complete novice I would find out what their teaching and go and look at that language. This way you won't get confused with smaller syntax issues and other quirky differences between languages.

Pelvis

The DIT course starts with Python in first year. In saying that, there are changes being made to the program next year so don't know what affect that may have.

BrokenArrows

Maybe trying calling the college to try and find out the exact curriculum for next year.

crazy eyes

I have just completed the 4 year degree in IT Tallaght. In 1st and 2nd year we used Java. The IDE we used was Dr Java and Intellij but as far as I know they don't use either now.

In 3rd year we went over C++ in Visual Studio and in 4th Year we started on C# again using VS and we done a small bit of python using PyCharm I think its called. If u have anymore questions you can send me a pm.