For my senior project, I decided to focus on computer programming, more specifically the language C++. I have been interested in computers and computer gaming since I was very young. I knew that for my senior project I needed to pick a topic that would allow me to invest a lot of hours, but also keep me entertained and excited. I have done some programming in the past but only small amounts sporadically. I want to pursue computer science as a major in college so it seemed like an intelligent decision to focus on programming for my project.
When considering possibilities for my project, I mulled over a few different ideas. At first I was inclined to do something horse-related. As mentioned before in my "About Me", I have been around horses my entire life, and my mom is a large animal veterinarian. It would have been very simple for me to focus my project around horse therapy or becoming a veterinary technician. However, accessible as those options were, I decided to try something that I knew would not only be a great challenge, but a goal far more technically complex than I had attempted before.
Perhaps the most difficult part about my project is finding a mentor that will be able to provide the wisdom and advice I need. My uncle majored in computer science and computer programming and works for a well-respected company, the unfortunate part is that he lives in Southern California. I could manage web-chats and online conversation but it would be far more convienent if I could find help from someone local. Another challenging part about this project was finding a computer capable of maintaining and running the software needed to program. I started programming on my household computer, logging more than 40 hours in a single week, only to find that my computer couldn't handle the strain programming placed on it. The computer crashed and I am still at this point, desperately attempting to re-build it. I am currently typing this blog on the computer located at my work in my free time, as I have no access to any other computer to be able to complete my work. At the rate things are going I forsee myself needing to purchase a high-end laptop with enough RAM and Hardrive to run Codeblocks and other utility programs neccessary for programming with C++.
The final result of my project should be a complex functioning program. I have not yet decided what the base for the program will be, whether it will be game-related or app-related. I do know however that my measly 40 hours logged will not be nearly enough to make a dent in the process. I predict I will log over 150 hours before my goal can be brought to reality. I had made a few programs before my computer crashed, just basic surveys and utilities, I hope to pursue more complex functions once I build or purchase a functioning computer.
My project thus far, although challenging and problematic, has brought me a great sense of accomplishment, and I look forward to seeing it reach its end result.
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