Techie in Training

Algorithms         The word “algorithm” has become rather mainstream in today’s social networking climate, but in computer science, it means so much more than simply how frequently videos are pushed to someone’s “For You Page” on TikTok. In programming, algorithms are responsible for the processes in which a computer processes specific tasks (Meinecke, 2021). Photo by Getty Images from Communications of the ACM …and Data Structure Design!             There are multiple ways an algorithm can be implemented. Some of the most common ones used are (Lysecky, Vahid, & Givargis, 2015): Linear search Binary search Selection sorting Insertion sorting Shell sorting Quicksorting Merge sorting Radix sorting Partitioning Algorithm Efficiency         With this many options for a small number of functions, it follows that some are more efficient than others, depending on the c...

     While there is a specific set of rules to communicate with a computer, there are still multiple ways to achieve this. Similar to the previously explored concept of Python in this blog, Java is also what is known as a Object-Oriented Programming System (OOPs).    Image via Olivia Cuthbert at Science Data Central      Some of the common terminologies used when discussing OOPs are as follows: Object: To be considered an object, an item only needs a state and behavior (JavatPoint, 2021). An object can be physical (like the keyboard I am typing on right now) or logical (like the concept of a law). Class: A grouping of objects that are categorized under logical capabilities (Banda, 2020).  Method: A change made at the class level that affects all the included objects (Banda, 2020).  Instance: A specific object that can be held up as an example of a class. Via Tech Vidian            Now that we've defined...

            At a glance, there does not seem to be much that connects the world of libraries to that of IT, outside of the obvious free usage of computers to those cut off from networking by the digital divide. Upon closer examination, it is easy to see that they two are actually woven closely together.  

                              While my goal is to eventually be a librarian, I do not yet have any real life experience working in that environment. Therefore, for this post I am choosing to write about the standard box store retail environment and the role computers play in them. Computers, with their more recent trends of becoming more powerful and portable, have become increasingly significant in big box retail stores. It is important for these employees to be computer literate on the most basic of levels so that when registers upgrade from a keyboard function to a touchscreen, they are able to use logic and knowledge of computer software to determine how to navigate the programs run in order to ring up a customer's cart. The employees that monitor the self-check registers need to have a basic understanding of troubleshooting in addition to the software operating system so that they ca...