[CALUG] studying CS

[Gary Knott]

Dear Rajiv,

The best way to learn to code is:
1. get a copy of "The Art of Computer Programming, Vol 1 (by DE Knuth)
    and start reading it and doing some of the exercises.  (Later
scan Vol 2 and Vol 3)

2. Find a good programmer to sit with your friend as he learns
to use emacs or vi, and then while he learns how to control make, and
then while he writes and debugs some simple C programs  -
(Not any other language at first!!)

For example write a program to read the numbers in a text file, and
add them together and print out the average.  Then extend this program
to tabulate a histogram of the numbers and print it out.
After enough practice, and some reading  (check out some "programming on
Linux" books too.) he will feel confident.

After a couple of successful programs, he can progress by himself, with
just a consultation now and then.

Later he will need to struggle with X-windows graphics programming, 
since data mining involves drawing graphs.

This whole process can take a lifetime, but a year ought to be
enough to get to competent beginners level.

I suggest he take a look at the math/stat software I wrote
(called MLAB) - which can do many things that might be of interest
to him.  (see www.civilized.com)

---------------------------------------------------------------


Rajiv Vyas wrote:
> Let's say he has BS level understanding of stats and math. where and how 
> does he pcik up programming experience?
> 
> Rajiv
>  
> 
> On 11/9/05, *Gary Knott* <knott at civilized.com <mailto:knott at civilized.com>>  wrote:
> 
>     If your friend wants to be able to "mine data", then
>     programming is only one part.  He should of course learn
>     to code, and learn some basic algorithms and data-structures,
>     but the way to do that does not require pursuing
>     a CS degree.
> 
>     It is more important in this context, in my opinion, to
>     study math through the BS level, and most directly applicable,
>     to study statistics - regression, bayesean methodology, stochastic
>     processes, etc.
>     --
>     ==============================================================
>     | Spoken: Gary D. Knott      Email: knott at civilized.com
>     <mailto:knott at civilized.com>       |
>     | Phone: (301) 962-3711      MIME mail welcome                |
>     |                                                             |
>     | web: www.civilized.com <http://www.civilized.com>  (Please look at
>     our HomePage!)      |
>     | USPS: Civilized Software Inc., 12109 Heritage Park Circle,  |
>     |       Silver Spring, Maryland 20906, USA                    |
>     ==============================================================
> 
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-- 
==============================================================
| Spoken: Gary D. Knott      Email: knott at civilized.com       |
| Phone: (301) 962-3711      MIME mail welcome                |
|                                                             |
| web: www.civilized.com  (Please look at our HomePage!)      |
| USPS: Civilized Software Inc., 12109 Heritage Park Circle,  |
|       Silver Spring, Maryland 20906, USA                    |
==============================================================