Eternal Thinker: May 2011

Moons and stars and lots of code

This post haz teh codez. Not for the weak-hearted, but for the geek-hearted ;)

This is a quick post written in the middle of a silent night. I am continuously working on the major project, blissfully forgetting to eat and sleep then and now, as you may have already noticed.

Very similar to the weird guy in the foreground of Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night' above, I'm looking at so much of code, meant to produce some magical result when executed.

I'm writing this post to say something that is in it's freshest form in my mind: Learn Python (and try not to do your projects in Java).

I did my mini project in Python. And now the major project is done in Java, because only Java has web based applets.
The difference is huge. This, again, is multiplied tenfold because we're working on a very tight deadline.

Simply put:

In Python, you form an idea of what to do, and.. you just do.
You will hardly feel the effort of writing code.

In Java, you form an idea of what to do.
Now you spend some time figuring out how to write it's code.
After the code is written, and executed, you're greeted with exceptions you've never dreamed of in your darkest nightmares.
You get into a frenzy throwing and catching exceptions.
Somewhere along all this noise, you simply forget what you were trying to implement.

For a more specific scenario:

Suppose you provide a function with two parameters: a datastructure, say, an array filled with character strings, and another separate string.
Now, if the string is in the array, remove it. Otherwise, add it to the array, and sort the array. Return the new array.

In Python, this can be done in a single line of code. Yes.

And in Java, imagine how you'd do this. Think about the issues you'll have to consider. And the time you'll spend checking whether the code is correct.

The end

This is the best I can do to show you the light ;)
I took the effort to write this post before the demons of Java gobble me up.
The choice is yours. You can check some article here too.

I repeat. Learn Python.

Is it too late for a.. Good Night? :D

Image sources:
http://www.fullasagoog.com/blog/ben-nadel
http://johanngomes.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/java-vs-python/

Of =) and =(

One news I've got to share now is about me moving to my own room at home. It is after years of living in this home that I get to stay in my own room, finally. What I feel? More free, indeed. And may be a bit more independent. Increased responsibility too (or irresponsibility, if I choose so ;)).

But the fact is that, it is May. It's a month many people love, but it's too hot. The condition gets much worse when you're living in the first floor. And today morning I found myself caught up in some pretty bad cold. I should blame the hot days and the last week when I recklessly traveled to college and back, for completing my major project. Well, the project has to be completed in a few more days; a very deadly deadline considering the amount of coding and research to be done. And finally, as I am typing this, the electricity is gone! There is no sign of its coming back. This pretty much sums up my current situation :-/.

As you can see, reaching our goals not necessarily put us in a situation to smile freely. There are always little disasters and other pressures which are to be dealt with before we can relax and rejoice. Anyhow, the project will be completed, the cold will get cured, and just in time, the rains shall follow. Happiness! We can agree with Brad Pitt in Troy - "Everything is beautiful because we're doomed".
Although, things aren't quite beautiful until you pass the doomed state :P

Now I've moved to the balcony in the top floor with my laptop. There is greenery, chatter of people from the distance, and an occasional breeze. It gives me hope of the beautiful times that will inevitably follow :D

One more thing, is the title of this post. Smiley faces are becoming more intimate. The reason is a bunch of good people who fill my cell-phone's inbox and the Internet chats. It's interesting to notice how the same smiley faces take a different tone with different people. There are certain smiley faces I specially associate with certain people. Smilies are the best thing that has happened to the Internet mankind, next to facebook, of course! :P

Also, I haven't blogged in this weak a physical condition before. MUST REST.
Prendre soin! :)

W00t

Waking up from the afternoon nap, looking at your cellphone's screen, you get alarmed at how much minutes you've overslept. And then, with a spark in your brain, you realize you don't have to bother. There are no more exams remaining so as to rush from your bed to your books. They're over. Forever.

I'd personally call that one of the best feelings in life. It's more or less obvious, if you've been reading through my previous posts tagged College life. The pressure, the heat, and finally, you reach the sublime ending. It means a lot to me. Yes, there are bits and pieces remaining. Pretty big bits and pieces. For example, the entire major project. But well, those are things that have something for you to enjoy in it. But the exams, they're over for good (well, hopefully (the university works in mysterious ways (and thank you, lisp))).

I've been wondering as to why I've been so away from my blog and comics. And then I discovered it was all the continuous weight of exams and related unenjoyable works, leading to exhaustion of the right brain.
In part, though, I need to thank the college. Because it is said that you're the sum of your little and big choices. And in that way, college has made its indirect contributions to what I am today. Specifically, when you walk through a big place all alone, you'll make it a point to be well equipped. And then again, for the few, unique-as-I-wanted-them-to-be friends I got from there. Well, I prefer not to spend much time contemplating the differences of the eventual consequences of my possible choices..

..Exactly because it's time to plan! I hereby plan, to get back to more writing, and more reading, and work towards being more good looking (not that I have much to improve in that sense ;)) :)
When you get time to relax after terrible, dark times, do relax. But before you get too sloppy, get back to the awesome works - the kind you love to do.