181–190 of 194 posts
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As an interesting side note, it turns out books on programming that include chapters on encryption are not allowed in prisons.
Do you have a link to any reading about this? I'm curious.
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I cannot say I agree that the list of books provided by llamaz is good. The suggestions given so far are college-level CS textbooks (like SICP) and may be too difficult to start with for somebody without the necessary background knowledge. Unless your friend was already a college student in a CS program, I would recommend looking for books and instructional materials targeted at the high-school level instead. Also be…
SICP is an introductory text, and is usually taught to first-year undergraduates. We don't even know what sort of educational background this friend has, but if he can do algebra, then he'll be able to do the exercises in the first chapter and check his answers. Furthermore, because Scheme uses the substitution model, doing the exercises on paper is possible. It'll take care and attention to detail, but every Scheme…
Frankly, I do not understand the people who are attempting to push CS textbooks on this person. The original question does not contain the words "computer science" anywhere within it.
I recommend C++ as it is useful for a LOT of different types of electronics, embedded, pc, servers, you name it.
Also UNIX scripting is very useful.
Then he should write very small programs that he can use to build into little functions for larger ones. Something like adding two numbers at first, really simple, like almost blindingly simple, just to get comfortable with the architecture of the language.
Then write something that is more complex, something like how to make a little calculator that does all sorts of functions.
He'll need at least one reference book (which I heard you said he has, but you didn't specify what type of book, so look into it... it's a bit of a tedious process to get decent textbooks into the squares, but if you buy it new and send it to them FROM THE PUBLISHER, he can get it, you probably know this, but someone else might be reading and they might wanna help someone learn as well, so they need to know)
Additional texts of note:
Data structures
Math books, especially linear algebra
Web Programming
Wireless Communications / Bluetooth
That'll last him at least a couple of years to really master. Beyond that, he needs to get a system of writing so that he's not having to use English constantly, as it will take a ton of time. I've seen people use something akin to semaphore, but it's not _extremely_ important unless he's older, and has used his hands a lot. Cramping sucks, and losing your ability to write is nicht gut.
Alright well, I hope this helps. Best of luck to your friend, and if he mentions a thank you, please tell him he's welcome.
God Bless.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
SICP is an introductory text, and is usually taught to first-year undergraduates. We don't even know what sort of educational background this friend has, but if he can do algebra, then he'll be able to do the exercises in the first chapter and check his answers. Furthermore, because Scheme uses the substitution model, doing the exercises on paper is possible. It'll take care and attention to detail, but every Scheme…
Given that the person is in prison, it seems rather improbable that s/he was on a course to be a first-year undergraduate or is particularly familiar with algebra. The average person doesn't know algebra all that well, you know. Frankly, I do not understand the people who are attempting to push CS textbooks on this person. The original question does not contain the words "computer science" anywhere within it.
CS Unplugged: Computer Science without a computer and Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future: The Ingenious Ideas That Drive Today's Computers. I've also posed a problem for him to ponder:
"You have five fingers on your hand (usually -- a few people have more, many have fewer). Each finger can be either extended, or curled up. So a fist would be all fingers curled up, a high-five would be all fingers extended, and many other combinations exist (including the obscene middle-finger gesture, and probably a whole lot of gang signs). What is the total number of possible combinations that can be produced using five fingers? Can you do them all? What is the total number of possible combinations that can be produced using ten fingers? Can you figure out a pattern so that you could calculate how many possible combinations there would be if you had 16 fingers?"
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>> 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. I'd pay good money to know what the prison superintendent thinks of this cryptic communication.
As an interesting side note, it turns out books on programming that include chapters on encryption are not allowed in prisons.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
As an interesting side note, it turns out books on programming that include chapters on encryption are not allowed in prisons.
I'd imagine the job prospects for ex cons specializing in cryptography aren't that great anyway.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
As an interesting side note, it turns out books on programming that include chapters on encryption are not allowed in prisons.
I'd imagine the job prospects for ex cons specializing in cryptography aren't that great anyway.
Maybe work on a conceptual project. E.g build a complete UML solution for a HN clone for example.
That'll take care of the analysis part.
If he's enough time then move into discrete maths and algorithms.
That'll sandwich the actual coding , after which it'll be a short effort once he's got access to a computer