Start assignments early and give yourself multiple days.

Submitted Fri Apr 05 2024

Very good class. It's challenging but in a good way. The first couple weeks are a lot of reading and new info, but after that it's more focused on the coding. Projects 1-5 weren't too hard, but I struggled with Project 6, so like others have said start it ASAP. Overall I feel like a better programmer after taking this class.

Submitted Sat Mar 23 2024

There is a lot of material to cover in the first 2/3 of the course. Projects 1-5 are pretty simple and I was able to complete them in one sitting. Start project 6 early, it was significantly more challenging than the first 5. You are able to use the penjee calculator for binary <--> hex <--> decimal conversions on the tests, so get comfortable with it early and it will make your life easier.

Submitted Wed Mar 20 2024

This class is difficult, but manageable. It contains a lot of information, most of which will eventually need to be committed to memory. Create flash cards and start memorizing concepts from the check your knowledge sections, module summary exercises, and quizzes to prepare for the midterm and final. Watch all the videos, and review any worksheets/files you're given. Start the projects early and do the extra credit. Project 5 is significantly more difficult than 1-4, and Project 6 is exponentially more difficult than the rest. Give yourself at least a week to complete Project 6.

Submitted Mon Dec 18 2023

Everyone says it, but the last two projects do ramp up quite a bit in difficulty. Also, do the extra credit!

Submitted Sun Oct 01 2023

The course starts deceptively easy but gets more challenging as weeks progress. You start off with training wells and take them off by project 6. Project 1-5 are manageable in 1-2 sittings, but project 6 I would set aside more time about 3-4 days.

Submitted Mon Aug 21 2023

It really is all about the last two projects. DEFINITELY take this course over summer. There's no midterm/final, and it completely changes the level of chill in the class. You still got to get through those two projects, but you're not facing a final after that. Go to office hours, plan ahead, and prepare to hack away the last couple of weeks of the quarter.

Submitted Sun Aug 20 2023

So far the only course where I've actually learned something in this program. Useless for webdev but eye-opening for anyone with C/C++ experience to finally straighten out how everything really works under the hood. Course structure is ok, can't jump-start on future lessons/projects which can be annoying but otherwise the pacing is fine. First week is an info dump but it gets better afterwards. VERY important to not skip any topics since the material is cumulative and later concepts require a bulletproof understanding of the basics.

Submitted Thu Jun 22 2023

For me, the most difficult part of this class was the lack of exposure to actual code for the first 2 weeks or so. The first module goes over the fundamentals of assembly (i.e. hex, binary, what's a register, the structure of a computer, etc) and it's incredibly easy to get lost in these abstract concepts. Writing, running, and debugging code was what finally made it all click for me. After I had exposure to some code, I finally started to understand all the fundamentals. The last two assignments are HARD - start as early as you can. Also, I personally do not recommend attempted the extra credit. I made one attempt on the 1st homework assignment and could not figure it out (spent like 3 hours before giving up). By week 10, I realized that the extra credit I had attempted required knowledge from week 8... Personally, I don't think the extra 2 to 3 points are worth the added effort but to each their own.

Submitted Wed Apr 05 2023

Most of the class was fine but the last 2 projects are significantly more challenging than other projects.

Submitted Wed Mar 29 2023