Java coding may not be on everyone’s bucket list of things to learn, but its good to appreciate the work that goes into things we use every day. Everything from the ATM to the computer in your car use web coding to organize and run information. Someone sat at a computer for hours typing thousands of lines of code to make the “Get Cash” button work. But I like to use code to do more entertaining things, like building dinosaurs.
Now, I’m no expert by any means. Working for Great Lakes Radio gives me an opportunity to use what coding skills I do have, but sometimes I have to take classes to expand my horizons. In my introductory Java class so far, I have learned how to run programs and build basic objects. When the teacher told the class that building polygons was like playing connect the dots because you could build anything you wanted if you added enough dots, I decided to accept the challenge and build a T-Rex.
Okay, so he doesn’t roar or walk and he can’t interact at all, but considering I did this in my first set of lessons, I’m very proud of Rex. First step was to draw him out on a piece of graph paper to figure out where each point would be. Then I made a small program with 50 points or dots to connect. I typed in each dot and ran the program. To my surprise, it worked on the first try. If you work in java, all you have to do is copy my 50 points to build one yourself, just add a zero to each number to make him larger.
Now the point of this story isn’t to tell you to go out and learn coding. Staring at a computer screen typing gibberish for hours is not for everyone. The point is that sometimes the world is just as confusing as thousands of lines of symbols and numbers. Take it one day at a time and always keep improving and you can finish whatever challenge lies in front of you. Next time I want to build Mario.
