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I learned how to program on a TI-83 graphing calculator. I was bored in class and I made a simple text-based blackjack game. Later my friends and I would use t
by dmerrick 10y ago
I learned how to program on a TI-83 graphing calculator. I was bored in class and I made a simple text-based blackjack game.
Later my friends and I would use the link cable to share programs between our calculators, and I would pour over the source code and try to understand everything. There was an ASCII fighting game I loved and I added new moves and characters.
Once I learned how to "view source" a website I started doing that everywhere and figuring out how the Web worked. That, plus a Linux install disk and an old, case-less desktop got me on the road to where I am today (supporting a SaaS company as an Infrastructure Engineer).
- sixstringtheory 10y agoSame for me, had a TI-85 when I was 13 (which now I wish I hadn't sold, it's a collector's item! Never giving up my 89!) Friend and I wrote a Drug Wars clone and a bunch of math solvers. Then we got into websites in the same way. Also had an old Windows machine, on which I pored through every DOS man page (didn't turn onto *nix till way later). Took AP CS in high school on a whim just for the credit and haven't looked back since, been at it for 18 years now. Thinking about a sabbatical though as of late.
- applecrazy 10y agoI've heard a lot of people who have gotten interesting in coding through a graphing calculator...but in 2016 doesn't anyone think that they're a bit outdated? People started writing programs for graphing calculators because the needed these devices for school, so somebody should introduce kids to Raspberry Pis and Python. It's a shame that in the US there is a lack of proper CS education in most schools. Not only is programming well-paying (most of the time) but it also helps students break down difficult tasks into simpler ones.