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    1. Fortnightly Programming Q&A Thread

      General Programming Q&A thread! Ask any questions about programming, answer the questions of other users, or post suggestions for future threads. Don't forget to format your code using the triple...

      General Programming Q&A thread! Ask any questions about programming, answer the questions of other users, or post suggestions for future threads.

      Don't forget to format your code using the triple backticks or tildes:

      Here is my schema:
      
      ```sql
      CREATE TABLE article_to_warehouse (
        article_id   INTEGER
      , warehouse_id INTEGER
      )
      ;
      ```
      
      How do I add a `UNIQUE` constraint?
      
      9 votes
    2. What programming/technical projects have you been working on?

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's...

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's interesting about it? Are you having trouble with anything?

      14 votes
    3. How do you plan or outline a program?

      I’m currently studying Python Object Oriented programming and got to a point where logic and syntax are the least of my problems. I always get to a stage where I’m completely lost between modules,...

      I’m currently studying Python Object Oriented programming and got to a point where logic and syntax are the least of my problems. I always get to a stage where I’m completely lost between modules, classes, objects and a sea of “selfs”.

      I’m not doing anything too complicated, just small projects for practice, but I think I would benefit from planning. My mental processes are highly disorganized (ADHD) and I need all the help I can get with that.

      I don’t need an automated tool (even though it might come in handy) -- sketching things out on paper is probably enough.

      I only know about UML, which seems fine. Can anyone recommend a tutorial about this and other tools?

      Edit to link my last attempt at following a tutorial:

      This is the last tutorial I tried to follow, a Pygame project from the book Python Crash Course 2ed. Following tutorials is frequently mostly typing, so what I achieved there is not a real representation of my abilities -- I would not be able to do something like that on my own. In fact, I failed to answer the latest exercises, which were basically smaller versions of this project.

      My problem is not with syntax and the basics of how OOP works, but rather with memory and organization of information.

      10 votes
    4. What programming/technical projects have you been working on?

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's...

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's interesting about it? Are you having trouble with anything?

      8 votes
    5. Are there any good tools for "one-off" file encryption?

      Sorry if this is a silly question, but I keep running into situations where a small CLI or GUI tool that could be handed a single file and hand me back an encrypted version would be useful. I've...

      Sorry if this is a silly question, but I keep running into situations where a small CLI or GUI tool that could be handed a single file and hand me back an encrypted version would be useful. I've done some googling, but all I typically turn up is blogspam about random Windows-only tools that seem to be of dubious quality.

      Anyone know of a good tool for this type of thing?

      9 votes
    6. Looking for career switching advice from Film/Business to Software Engineering

      I have a few weeks left before I finish my MBA and I turn 26. I decided to spend the free time I have since my cancelled finance internship learning how to program. I enjoy it a lot and could...

      I have a few weeks left before I finish my MBA and I turn 26. I decided to spend the free time I have since my cancelled finance internship learning how to program. I enjoy it a lot and could easily see myself working as a Software Engineer. Prior to my MBA and the finance internships I did, I was a video editor and colorist with a film production bachelors.

      I started with App Academy's Introduction to Ruby I and II courses but I quickly realized that even if a boot camp would work out for me, that specific one would not work out due to geographic location. There is a Hack Reactor branch close to my parents house in Los Angeles, however I feel like if I choose to enroll in a boot camp I should learn as much as I can on my own first; doing it now seems like I would be subjecting myself to financial peril, especially in light of COVID-19.

      I am now taking the edX MIT 6.00.1 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python course. One of my friends gave me access to a udemy MTA Networking Fundamentals course and I was considering working through that alongside the MIT one. The MIT course only takes around 15 hours per week, so I need more classes/projects to help fill what is ideally a 50 hour work week in order for me to really grasp these concepts. I know at some point I have to begin to build projects, but I do not believe my fundamentals are quite there. If I'm wrong, I would love some pointers as to how to begin.

      If anyone is able, I would really appreciate some guidance in three main areas. First, is my timetable realistic? I have enough overhead and family help to last me to December before I start looking for work OR enroll in a boot camp, the latter of which would require some additional help. I feel that if I diligently study from now until then my family would be willing to help me out a little bit.

      Second, would a boot camp actually be worth it? I realize that a solid portfolio is the #1 thing that will get my foot in the door somewhere but I'm not sure if I would have one that is as fleshed out as I might need by December. Some alumni from my school went through Hack Reactor, but the amount of CS students currently working as SWE far outnumbers the two folks I have found so far that pivoted from Economics and Film Production into SWE. I see the boot camp as serving two purposes: demonstrating that I have what it takes to commit to something and see it through (similar to my two degrees, just for programming) and helping add a few items to my body of work. The financial obligation is a bit concerning, but if I truly was able to find a job at the end of it the ISA would feel worth it.

      Finally, how can my lesson plan be improved? I intend to finish this MITx course over the next six weeks (I'm working through week 2 right now). Is the MTA Networking Fundamentals course a good compliment? Are there other courses that might be better? I own the book Programming Principles and Practice using C++ by Bjarne Stroustrup and have read that it is a solid introduction to both C++ and programming fundamentals, similar to the MITx course. I intend on starting and finishing a Version Control with Git coursera class this coming week. What more could I add, are these the right things to focus on, and is this even a realistic endeavor for me?

      My interests are web development, app development, and data analytics. I feel each of these would be its own path, but if someone could help me narrow this list down to one that best suits my past experience, has complimentary skills, and seems like it would be a good fit it would be much appreciated.

      Any advice helps!

      15 votes
    7. What programming/technical projects have you been working on?

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's...

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's interesting about it? Are you having trouble with anything?

      12 votes
    8. Build Concept: The Mobius Chair

      In the DC canon, The Mobius Chair is a time-space/dimensional vehicle operated by the New God Metron. It allows him to travel and observe the universe, but the one I'm making is nowhere near as...

      In the DC canon, The Mobius Chair is a time-space/dimensional vehicle operated by the New God Metron. It allows him to travel and observe the universe, but the one I'm making is nowhere near as functional.

      I've come into a recliner chair with a cupholder on each armrest, and I already had a split keyboard. My plan is to use the cupholders as a mount for both ends of the split keyboard, so that I could use the entire run of armrest and have my hands lay naturally on the keys. Goals are to minimize weird stretching and be able to comfortably type for long stretches of time, to put off stuff building this that I planned to work on this weekend, and to look super boss, though not necessarily in that order.

      If I want ultimate angulation and the best range of motion, I was thinking about something like a cupholder with a phone or a tablet mount, like this one, but if anyone has recommendations for what would be best to work with, or have done something like this before, I'm all ears.

      6 votes
    9. Fortnightly Programming Q&A Thread

      General Programming Q&A thread! Ask any questions about programming, answer the questions of other users, or post suggestions for future threads. Don't forget to format your code using the triple...

      General Programming Q&A thread! Ask any questions about programming, answer the questions of other users, or post suggestions for future threads.

      Don't forget to format your code using the triple backticks or tildes:

      Here is my schema:
      
      ```sql
      CREATE TABLE article_to_warehouse (
        article_id   INTEGER
      , warehouse_id INTEGER
      )
      ;
      ```
      
      How do I add a `UNIQUE` constraint?
      
      6 votes
    10. What programming/technical projects have you been working on?

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's...

      This is a recurring post to discuss programming or other technical projects that we've been working on. Tell us about one of your recent projects, either at work or personal projects. What's interesting about it? Are you having trouble with anything?

      12 votes