Graphics Mastered

One really big thing this week was not only the iPad 2 launch (which I can't get right now yet), but the fact that I am done with the graphics learning.  It looks like Java is pretty good on that part, but somewhat basic, at least in the version taught.  Anyway, I've mastered the graphics well enough to compose various pictures and even to create a simple interface.

Great tip learned from this week's programming exercises: always do sketches when working with graphics!  It does make a huge difference in understanding what will be produced eventually on screen, and thus saves lots of time!

Before I move to the final stages of CS106A course (arrays, search & sorting algorithms, working with file i/o) I only have to complete a few exercises on strings and characters, which seems like a lot of fun by itself.

On a distantly related note (in my current stage in programming):  new version of XCode is out and available at the Apple Mac Apps Store for mere $4.99!  I'm not buying it yet, though I might soon as I move to learning C and Objective-C.