This is actually an interesting blog post for me, because one of my close friends is taking CSC104 next semester, so I might actually end up using some of the things written here.
CSC 104 is a difficult course to pin down. Most people look at it on Acorn and assume its just an easy Computer science class, yet many of my friends in CSC 108, 148 and 165 have taken a look at DrRacket and been thoroughly stumped. The thing about CSC 104 is that it's exactly as advertised: a class designed to create or improve one's foundation in computer science and programming. As such, if, like me, you're taking this class because you want to do further studies in comp sci while simultaneously not wanting to go to far into the rabbit hole, CSC 104 will be a comfortable, challenging and digestable course with decent hours and friendly professors. But take care to not approach this a course to skip months in and expect to still get 90's due to some prior programming knowledge. Racket is an intriguing language and while it definitely does help prepare for the harder languages, it also has its own little quirks and CSC104 will require your weekly attention. This doesn't necessarily mean going to every lecture, but it does mean spending some hours of your week on Racket, practicing functions and definitions and all.
Specific to functions, just keep at it. A lot of the little formatting tricks will initially escape and elude you, but with time and practice it'll become alot easier to understand what kind of input a function requires or how to get a certain output from a certain output.
Overall, don't underestimate the course, put in the hours, practice and have fun. It's a great half year course to add to your schedule and I wish you luck.
CSC 104 is a difficult course to pin down. Most people look at it on Acorn and assume its just an easy Computer science class, yet many of my friends in CSC 108, 148 and 165 have taken a look at DrRacket and been thoroughly stumped. The thing about CSC 104 is that it's exactly as advertised: a class designed to create or improve one's foundation in computer science and programming. As such, if, like me, you're taking this class because you want to do further studies in comp sci while simultaneously not wanting to go to far into the rabbit hole, CSC 104 will be a comfortable, challenging and digestable course with decent hours and friendly professors. But take care to not approach this a course to skip months in and expect to still get 90's due to some prior programming knowledge. Racket is an intriguing language and while it definitely does help prepare for the harder languages, it also has its own little quirks and CSC104 will require your weekly attention. This doesn't necessarily mean going to every lecture, but it does mean spending some hours of your week on Racket, practicing functions and definitions and all.
Specific to functions, just keep at it. A lot of the little formatting tricks will initially escape and elude you, but with time and practice it'll become alot easier to understand what kind of input a function requires or how to get a certain output from a certain output.
Overall, don't underestimate the course, put in the hours, practice and have fun. It's a great half year course to add to your schedule and I wish you luck.
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