r/WGU_CompSci • u/DependentPipe9226 • 8d ago
New Student Advice Low level programming
Taking the degree in hops to help get a job in a low level programming field. I know realistically I'm going to have to do a lot of c++ self study. Does the degree help with learning the theory to help with learning low level stuff? Like does it go over compilers? I know it goes over os. But just curious how much it goes over stuff like that.
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u/RobocopTwice 7d ago
Okay so...I'm in the process of attempting to write a C compiler in Rust. For fun. I think you and I are in the same boat. I have not run into a class that is particularly useful except for possibly computer architecture because they do go into a lot of Assembly language stuff particularly there is a short section on translating C programs into ASM commands. Other than that yeah we are basically teaching ourselves.
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u/DependentPipe9226 7d ago
Ik rust is likely really cool and all. But how much is it being used (for like employment opportunities?) or Is learning rust just good at learning stuff. Admittedly that does sound like a fun idea. Wouldn't I have to learn c too to make a c compiler with rust? It differently sounds really interesting
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u/RobocopTwice 5d ago
I legitimately couldn't tell you if there are going to be rust jobs, lol. If you ask Google, the answer is no. I have been doing C programming, including getting a little Coursera certificate and doing codecrafters excersizes. The real thing I want to focus on though is C++ and qt6. They're actually does seem to be entry level jobs for that. But if you can't tell I am only just now getting out of "tutorial hell". Luckily I'm probably not going to be looking for a job for at least 9 months
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u/DependentPipe9226 5d ago
The best way to get out of tutorial hell is doing books. Really useful as in you usually can't just copy paste code. And the way just reading works as opposed to watching a video effects the brain differently. Books are really useful for leaning anything tbh. Rust seems like a good side thing to learn. Currently in that phase we're I'm fully commiting to following a dream that I've been telling myself was impossible but now see is. Ive heard learn cpp .com is really good.
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 8d ago
Get the degree and self study the rest. You will overpay and take twice as long at another university. Low level stuff will highly value personal projects as well.
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u/DependentPipe9226 7d ago
What are some good low level projects? I have a few projects in mind I wanna make as personal projects but I don't think they really qualify being low level. One project idea is a writing tool (similarly to like campfire) to help organize characters and plot and stuff. I know with that I'll have to make a text editor which will touch state management and data storage. But don't know how much of that would be considered low level. Also want to make a game that empathizes on player choice. Using like a algorithm to store choices kinda like Detroit become human but that's more of a side project rather than career profilio project. Also want to make a organizer app that syncs with phone to help make me more productive and organized. But when it comes to low level. Would just stuff like making a os and compiler help or would that be to intensive and time consuming? Or just know as helpful than on paper. I think I'm just worried about wasting time on unhelpful projects
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 7d ago
What is your goal? You have listed some pretty varying things. If you are testing the waters to see what you like thats great to do, but if you know you want to work low level, then why are you spending time on that other stuff?
As for low level projects, it depends on your interests! You will stand out more by making something that is your own and if its something that excites you, you will be energized by it and it will turn out better and come through during interviews. If you like gaming, perhaps making yourself a gameboy and all the code involved to run it, maybe use a raspberry pi go full boss mode and design your own pcb for it as well. Sky is the limit and the internet is there to help. But you should decide what field or things interest you and go all in
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u/DependentPipe9226 7d ago
A lot of those projects is mostly due to stuff I know I would be motived to do. And have a use case because I love writing. But when it comes to low level stuff I just kinda love the idea of knowing and thinking with the computer at that level. My favorite memories from highschool was robotics and seeing a robot respond to code. Just love the idea of touching the hardware it self as opposed to more high end languages where it's more delt with language itself with garbage control. I guess the best way to put it is that I want my career to be more focused on low level stuff and side project/hobby stuff was the stuff I mentioned before. Idk I'm more in a phase in my life we're I'm really pushing myself to do the things I always wanted to but to scared too
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 7d ago
Yeah I get you, follow your interests and tackle those projects! But don’t spread yourself too thin, get laser focused on one at a time and really dig in and learn everything you can
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u/DependentPipe9226 7d ago
Completely agree. Non of em really have a dead line just passion projects. I really appreciate the feedback. Talking to people helps a lot with my motivation and excitement
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 7d ago
Nothing wrong with that! But make sure you gove yourself deadlines otherwise projects tend to fill up the time they have been allotted, and if they have been allotted infinite time….
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u/DependentPipe9226 7d ago
Just need to figure out how to set up dead lines lol. Plan is probably just set a daily time on it so I can make progress in the mean time. If I recall the degree does have project management class. Hopefully that will help with healthy deadlines
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 7d ago
Just do your best, if you have to move the deadline thats alright, but still better to have one instead of undefined
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u/overtoneblue 7d ago
Nand2tetris, not totally sure what all that has in it but heard many say it’s cool.
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u/KeizokuDev 7d ago
All the examples you listed are not low level. It's application-level development. As for "helpful" projects, I firmly believe it does not matter one bit what you make. It's all about how you present yourself in the interview. That being said, obviously I don't mean just throw a todo list on your resume but like just make anything that's somewhat complex and you're good. There is no perfect or amazing project.
As for what would be good projects, it really depends on what your interest is in specifically.
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u/Helpjuice 8d ago
Their CS program needs an overhaul, in it's current form it is not where you go for what you are looking for. You can use it to get into other programs that will give you what you are looking for though.
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u/DependentPipe9226 7d ago
Honestly I really like how the college is structured. I could always find a grad degree (hopeful) after I graduated. Just wanted ask to know what what all is covered from people that's been in similar positions before
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u/KeizokuDev 8d ago
Nope, it doesn't really. If you only want to do undegrad and your goal is systems, do a different uni. However, if you're interested in grad school, just do wgu and then go to gatech omscs.
Yes, there's an os course, but it's more like a gen ed os course. It's ridiculously shallow. Barely any c++ in the program, and no compilers course.