Sandra L Course Part 1 (lectures 1 to 10)

And here we are - ANOTHER new course! I know it's getting repetitive now - me getting to around a third of a way through each course before hankering for a new one. However, I've had my reasons each time. Last time, Bob's course was getting so technical and inaccessible. The conceptual leap between chapters 2 and 3 was too much. Plus, no challenges or tasks along the way made it very difficult to stay motivated. So, starting a new Intermediate course from Sandra L. Let's see how we go!

Start Time - 15:42

Variables and constants



Real basics so far. I think I'll be able to skim a lot of this simple recap.

Mutability etc. There's not much need to type anything else - I know this so it's all good! One nice point - a variable is called so because THE VALUE CAN VARY. That's nice and logical!

*A key point: it's good changing between courses in the sense that you get a fresh take on a concept or another way of looking at something.

Type Inference

This is something I have not seen before:

let name = "Josh"

type(of: name)

A good function for working out what type an object is.

Converting between types. Easy.

var numberInt = 4

var numberDouble = 6.5

var sumInt = numberInt + Int(numberDouble)

var sumDouble = numberDouble + Double(numberInt)

Type annotation - when type is made explicit. Explicitly declared as a certain type. Sometimes, like with computed properties or parameters in functions, you need to use this. Most of the time not.

All this is fine, a very general recap for me. 

Data Types

Interpolation - use of values within a string. ]

If/else brought into testing if value of Bool is true or false. 

Paused at 16:08 (26 minutes)

A very gentle introduction. Just need to pop out for a bit. So will continue so I can complete the basics part and move on to the meaty stuff!

Continued at 17:47

Operators

Something I've noticed is Sandra does a lot of type annotation without setting a value. E.g. var computedNumber: Int. Then assigns a value to it. Xcode does not like this!

let mealA = 10.99

let mealB = 21.89

let drinks = 6

let starter = 8

let mealTotal = mealA + mealB + Double(drinks) + Double(starter)

OR I could have specified drinks and starter as Doubles. Type annotation.

Whizzing through these. Want to do get all of the info done so I can do the challenges! I have really missed challenges since doing Bob's course - two whole months worth!!

Explicit Type Conversion

This has been covered above to be honest.

Paused at 17:58 (11 more minutes)

I'm going to do challenges next! Yes!

Continued at 22:04

CHALLENGES!

Challenge 1:


These all look easy!

let myName = "Cath"

var greeting = "Hello there"

print("\(greeting) \(myName)!")

All very straightforward. No challenge at all basically. 

Challenge 2:

let totalSpend = cableJun17 + cableJul17 + cellJuly17 + Double(rent17)

print("The total spend was \(totalSpend)")

Again all simple. No problems whatsoever. Too easy!

Finish Time 22:13 (9 more minutes; 46 minutes)

So a nice bit of consolidation. Needed from time to time! Yes, it was all too easy for me, but good to keep the basics in my mind. Really, it was just confirming that everything was fine. This is all very easy for an Intermediate course - so the fact that this first bit is more recap is fine to be honest. It will hopefully build up to something more challenging but not TOO much so like Bob's and the other courses I've given up with. Anyway, I like the part with practical challenges in every chapter - looking ahead. Until tomorrow!