saddle up for the cattle drive

[Daniel .J.Hyslop]

If we have attempted some of the cattle drives posers on your site , may we post some code with queries.I ask because I have tried some of the simpler tasks and have come up with solutions that seem a little shorter than the tutor suggests,so obviously this leads me to think that I am incorrect in my
solutions as I am no where near the experienced status.A little input from you experienced guys would cement my inexperience.

[Daniel .J.Hyslop]

Just to add , I had to ask as it would have been rude of me to post code that somebody else may be attempting at the same time

[Ilja Preuss]

Moving to the Cattle Drive forum...

[Layne Lund]

As you can see, your question has been moved since this is the forum for the Cattle Drive. I don't see any reason why you can't post your code. Perhaps you should edit the subject to include "SPOILER" or something to indicate that you are posting your proposed solution. For those that are interested in learning, this can warn them that they shouldn't read your post before attempting it on their own.

Layne

[Barry Gaunt]

No Layne, we do not want to see code posted. And we delete it if we find it.
We can, however, discuss problems and give hints to the cattle drive participants in a cryptic but helpful way.

Daniel, I can recommend that you join up (and pays your dues, like I did). It was a great experience and fun too. It took me quite a time to get through all the nitpicks and assignments but it was well worth it. The nitpicker who guides you through the assignments really beats you into shape and gets you into the mindset of producing quality code.
[ July 02, 2005: Message edited by: Barry Gaunt ]

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

... although code snippets are ok and pseudocode is also fine to post. We believe that if you post great code, you will be robbing others of an education.

[Carol Murphy]

Daniel, I would highly recommend signing up for the drive if you are truly interested in doing the assignments and having your code analysed by one of the nitpickers.
When I stumbled across the cattle drive, I had no experience with programming at all. I was so stoked when I coded a solution to assignment 1, that I submitted it for nitpicking immediately and was on to assignment 2 without waiting for a response, knowing that my code was flawless..............
Boy, did I have a lot to learn!
It's not JUST about code that works. There's so much more to writing GOOD code, and that's what the cattle drive is about.
The assignments are challenging without being so frustrating that you quit, and there are always people around the ranch who can help you out when you hit a rough spot. Altogether a great experience, and a great way to learn to Java.

[Daniel .J.Hyslop]

Hi carol,
Thanks for your invitation.Just to explain a little on why I can`t at the moment.
Three years ago I was involved in a hit and run accident,where I was quite badly injured.My trade since leaving school was a blacksmith welder(I am a resident of the UK by the way),as i cannot continue with that occupation , I am retraining on what might be described as a shoestring budget.Trying to gain qualifications in the IT industry.I have shelled out quite alot of money to a college for this training ( hence the shoestring budget).
Just wanted to explain ,so I didn`t seem ignorant, and not reply at all.

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

In the Cattle Drive we're looking for is clean, elegant, easy to understand solutions. Focus on that. Not on line count.

Feel free to ask questions and browse the questions that have already been asked.

Lots of people do the assignments and never send them to us. There is certainly value in that. You will make a program that works! Our role is to help you understand what makes a program readable. We also throw in tips about optimization and style.

[Carol Murphy]

Daniel, I responded to your latest post last night, but for some reason the post didn't show up.
I know about shoestring budgets, believe me. Since being nitpicked isn't in the cards for you right now, I would recommend doing the assignments anyway. There are also other forums on the ranch where questions can be posted, and it's a great way to learn/stay in touch with Java related stuff.
Just be careful of posting actual code with your questions for the reasons given before.
See 'ya around the ranch!

[Layne Lund]

Originally posted by Barry Gaunt:
No Layne, we do not want to see code posted. And we delete it if we find it.
We can, however, discuss problems and give hints to the cattle drive participants in a cryptic but helpful way.
...
[ July 02, 2005: Message edited by: Barry Gaunt ]

Thanks for the clarification. I will be more carful about further suggestions on this forum.


Layne

[Daniel .J.Hyslop]

Hi all collegees
I have decided to join , but before I do , a few questions .Does being a resident outside the US affect my payment amount to join the cattle drive forum ? I am at present learning sdk 1.4.2 , this is the SCJP qualification that I am driving for, does this effect my learning within this community?Lastly I may have to take a holiday from java for a while , is there a time limit on membership.

thanks Danny

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

Does being a resident outside the US affect my payment amount to join the cattle drive forum?

No. It's the same for everyone. We have students from all around the world.

I am at present learning sdk 1.4.2 , this is the SCJP qualification that I am driving for, does this effect my learning within this community?

No. In fact you need to be able to compile your assignments using version 1.4 rather than 1.5 (5.0) (although you can write code using 1.5 that will also compile and run in 1.4 if you are careful to not use the *new* stuff).

Lastly I may have to take a holiday from java for a while , is there a time limit on membership.

No time limit. You may proceed at your own pace, stop if you need to and begin again later. In fact, you will also have access to any future assignments that happen to be written.

[Daniel .J.Hyslop]

Hi Marilyn ,
I emailed payment in last night 18th aug at about 11.30 pm (uk Time), how long does it take to get saddled up.

Thanks Danny

[Marilyn de Queiroz]

You can send assignment 1a to [e-mail] now.

Normally I wait until I hear from Paul Wheaton (the guy you sent the payment to), but he has been having some trouble with his internet connection recently. So we might just start anyway if I don't hear from him within 24 hours.