Building Projects, Studying on Vacations, & an Interesting Book
This week has been an exciting whirlwind with not one, but two consecutive vacations! While this meant I couldn't dedicate as much time to studying as I would have liked, I still managed to carve out nearly 9 HOURS for learning. 💪
I also went to the event Google I/O Extended Hanoi 2023: Honestly, I didn’t learn much from it because some topics discussed were beyond my current knowledge realm. However, I had the pleasure of unexpectedly reconnecting with friends, making the event even more special.
Please read till the end because there are 2 learning sources for building Python projects that you definitely should check out!
Pic: The little cute statue I painted on the trip.
WHAT I DIDN’T DO THIS WEEK ❌
LeetCode: While LeetCodes can be fun and engaging, I've decided to pause them for now. I recognize the value of focusing on projects which are more challenging also to enhance my resume for long-term benefits.
EdX course How to Code: Simple Data: Due to time constraints, I couldn't continue with this course during the vacations. However, it remains on my list for the coming week.
WHAT I DID ✅
1. Coded Unbeatable Tic-Tac-Toe AI
This is a tic-tac-toe game where the computer never loses. It utilizes the minimax algorithm which is a recursive algorithm used for decision making.
I got this project idea from FreeCodeCamp 25 Python Projects for Beginners, and their accompanying YouTube videos are a must-watch for anyone interested.
🤖 My experience with Unbeatable Tic-Tac-Toe AI:
I still haven’t fully grasped the minimax algorithm. I understand how it works in theory, but not entirely in code.
My approach to these kinds of projects is: First, watch the video & mimic the code. Second, rebuild it on my own.
For this project, I’ve done the first, but not yet the second step.
2. Finding Palingram Spell Project (In Progress)
A Palingram is a sentence that reads the same backward as forward, like "Evil rats on no star live.”
🐍📖 This project is in the book Impractical Python Projects.
Impractical Python Projects picks up where the complete beginner books leave off, expanding on existing concepts and introducing new tools that you’ll use every day. And to keep things interesting, each project includes a zany twist featuring historical incidents, pop culture references, and literary allusions.
💻 There are many interesting projects in the book, such as:
Write haiku poems using Markov Chain Analysis
Use genetic algorithms to breed a race of gigantic rats
Crack the world’s most successful military cipher using cryptanalysis
Foil corporate security with invisible electronic ink
Save the head of Mary, Queen of Scots with steganography
🌟 I highly recommend you check this book out because:
I personally believe that learning to build projects from a book is more beneficial than following youtube tutorials. Because you have to actually pause and think instead of carelessly watching the video.
The projects are interesting and it makes me want to build it, even though it is really impractical haha.
If you are considering using this book, you can check out this video You've learnt the python basics, now what? Impractical Python Projects from Python Programmer talking about the book. It is where I knew the book from.
UPCOMING EVENTS 📅
1. Grace Hopper Conference (one of the biggest annual conferences in the US)
Time: September 26-29
Location: Orlando, US + Virtual
If you are a student, the In Person Academic ticket has sold out, but the Virtual Academic ticket is still available and also much cheaper. If you are attending virtually, hit me up because I am too! Let’s prepare for it together.
2. Google I/O Extended Cloud Hanoi 2023
Time: July 29
Location: FPT Tower, Cau Giay, Hanoi
This is another Google I/O event. I’m not sure yet if I will attend this conference because I don’t know much about Cloud. What do you think? Should I still go?
WHAT’S NEXT?
That's it for this edition of the coding newsletter! I'd love to hear from you. What topics excite you the most? Do you have any recommended resources or papers for my learning journey? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions on anything I’ve discussed. Let's keep the conversation going and connect with each other.
Happy coding!
From Bytes of Growth 🌱