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Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

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Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#21

Post by llamaz »

ajamesm wrote: post #11

Sounds like a great opportunity to learn set theory, abstract algebra, number theory, linear algebra. You could get a working comprehension of cryptography or computer graphics. You could get a handle on category theory. Those are topics that one could make progress on with only a pencil, paper, and the occasional phone call to a mentor. I cannot imagine submitting punch cards and reading JavaScript stack traces by m…

He wants to learn to code, not how to become a mathematician.

As an EE student, there are plenty of engineers who know nothing about those topics (except maybe linear algebra) that have successfully completed the image processing/computer vision course.

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#23

Post by llamaz »

I'd recommend he read the "structure and interpretation of computer programs". It's written for audience who would, at the time, have found programming novel, but would be at home with math. Hence it's written in a language that allows you to expand out the program by pencil and paper, much the same way you would simplify an equation, to see if it works.

Also the following books, which I've copied and pasted from somewhere, to learn theory:

Mano, M. Digital Design, 3rd ed. Prentice Hall, 2002

Mano, M and Kime, C Logic and Computer Design Fundamentals, 2nd ed Prentice Hall, 2001

Gajski, D Principles of Digital Design Prentice Hall, 1997

Tanenbaum, A Structured Computer Organization, 5th ed Prentice Hall, 2006

Patt, Y and Patel, S Introduction to Computing Systems: From Bits and Gates to C and Beyond, 2nd ed. McGraw Hill, 2004

Null, L and Lobur, J The Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture, 2nd ed Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2006

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#24

Post by sleepychu »

https://twitter.com/pigworker/status/784832688616243200

We used to frequently emulate a machine by hand on paper I think it was 16-bit but it might have been even smaller (not touched it since my first year of undergrad) and you could/can write a lot of cool programs for it.

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#25

Post by sleepychu »

https://twitter.com/pigworker/status/784832688616243200

We used to frequently emulate a machine by hand on paper I think it was 16-bit but it might have been even smaller (not touched it since my first year of undergrad) and you could/can write a lot of cool programs for it.

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#26

Post by exDM69 »

I have no idea about prison security and how things work, but are there programmable gadgets that are allowed inside? Ie. something that is really a computer inside but doesn't qualify as a proper computer when it comes to the rules. Some pocket tetris or similar game that could be hacked to run some kind of programming environment? Some old computing gadget that runs a basic interpreter? Edit: TI calculator mentioned by someone is an excellent idea if it passes the rules.

Apart from that... reading books and solving programming puzzles might be a good way. Something that has a feedback loop, which you won't have in the normal way without a computer at hand.

I must take my hat off for this kind of determination! I hope it provides your friend with a way out and they have a better life ahead of them.

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#27

Post by cjhanks »

micro_softy wrote: post #15
informatimago wrote: post #7

Learning to code without a computer is what we all did, 40 years ago! He may write programs on paper, and send them to you to type them in, compile them, and print out a listing with the errors. You then send back the listing, and he will correct his program and repeat. He'll become a great programmer, since he will have to be extra careful to avoid losing one week on some typo. Now, it's been a few years since gcc h…

"Now, it's been a few years since gcc has been able to produce a real listing..." Can you share with readers the version number for the last gcc that can do this satisfactorily?

GCC 4.9 was a pretty big step forward.. well, atleast `g++` was.

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#28

Post by givinguflac »

informatimago wrote: post #7

Learning to code without a computer is what we all did, 40 years ago! He may write programs on paper, and send them to you to type them in, compile them, and print out a listing with the errors. You then send back the listing, and he will correct his program and repeat. He'll become a great programmer, since he will have to be extra careful to avoid losing one week on some typo. Now, it's been a few years since gcc h…

I had considered the mailing method and I think we will probably get there once he has the basics down. Thanks for the response!

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#29

Post by bluedino »

informatimago wrote: post #7

Learning to code without a computer is what we all did, 40 years ago! He may write programs on paper, and send them to you to type them in, compile them, and print out a listing with the errors. You then send back the listing, and he will correct his program and repeat. He'll become a great programmer, since he will have to be extra careful to avoid losing one week on some typo. Now, it's been a few years since gcc h…

>> He may write programs on paper, and send them to you to type them in, compile them, and print out a listing with the errors. You then send back the listing, and he will correct his program and repeat.

The guy could 'run' his hand written programs on his own.

Re: Ask HN: Learning to code, without a computer?

#30

Post by x0x0 »

If your friend has free time, he may also enjoy _Code_ by Charles Petzold. It's a layman-oriented explanation of how computers work.

Is he in state or federal prison? Are there no classes available that could give him access to a computer?

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