Justin's Tech Blog

  The employee management system project is designed to take user input and store the information as variables for later use. As Miller, Vahid, and Lysecky point out, a variable “is used to remember a value for later use" (2015). Creating the variables of employeeName, employeeSSN, employeePhone, employeeEmail, and employeeSalary were to hold the information to display later in the program. Variable types were string with the exception of the salary input that was set as an integer.             Repetition was very useful in writing this code. Each line was the same just changing the variable name and type in the string. Employee salary was the only line that had an addition with the sep= function to remove the space after the $ sign in the code. This was used for appearance purposes. Setting the variables to strings allowed the user to enter dashes if needed and parenthesis if desired for the phone number. Setting the variabl...

  What is a Variable? Using implicit or explicit variables is an important decision when choosing what language to use when writing a program or starting to code. In simplest terms, a variable is used to remember a value for later use. The way different programming languages use variables is important for programmers to keep in mind when choosing how to code variables. Implicit variables are when the compiler chooses the type of output and explicit variables are when the programmer pre-assigns variables to have a specific output. Examples of Variables Each can be useful depending on the program that is being written. Boudreau points out that implicit variables can often be easier to use in programming and that sometimes the results can be just fine. However, leaving the compiler making that decision making on an assumption can often lead to problems. Explicit assigning of variables gives a more specific output and result and can be much more reliable. Depending on the lan...

            Programming languages are at the heart of most technology related courses. The concepts of programming are linked to cyber security, networking computers, and most concepts related to computer science. Joseph Marie Jacquard invented the Jacquard Loom in 1804 and was the first machine to use programmable punch cards to change the patterns of weaving without changing the mechanics of the machine (Vahid & Lysecky 1.2). Jacquard’s invention inspired computer programming for centuries after his invention and helped inspire coding for computer devices, like the IBM digital compiler.             Ada Lovelace is also a key historical figure in programming languages and is often considered the first computer programmer. Ada took work from Charles Babbage (influenced by Jacquard) and was able to calculate new ways to use programming, beyond just mathematical calculations (Vahid & Lyseck...

              Network security is important not only for businesses and organizations, but for individuals, as well. According to Vahid & Lysecky, over 178 million records were exposed due to security breaches in 2017, roughly 1.5 billion data breaches, and the cost in the US caused by cybercrime in 2016 was 1.3 billion dollars. Cybercrimes pose a very real threat to companies and individuals across the world. Companies and individuals must practice safety when using the internet, like changing passwords frequently, installing firewalls for personal and business servers to block unwanted traffic, and using the least amount of information necessary when entering personal information online.             Information travels throughout the world via networks. The internet is a global network of information. Using ping methods or trace routs, a user can follow the path o...

Technology has changed significantly over the past few decades in the world of education. My first bachelor's degree was in educational technology in 2012. I have seen classrooms evolve from no technology used at all, to classes now being conducted 100% online, even for K-12 students. Special Education Teachers had to be very literate with computers. Many new devices were being used that helped students either read, decode, see, hear, etc. and most had some sort of computer element to using the device. Our entire database for writing IEPs was in an online database, and it wasn't necessarily user friendly. An IEP could be 20 or more pages long and for the web app to correctly print the documents, each box would have to be checked correctly, entered correctly, or used correctly. Teaching during the Covid-19 shutdowns really showed just how much some schools needed to update their technology. Many schools did not have available devices for students and many had very outdated devic...

  Information is passed used the internet through multiple routers. As Vahid & Lysecky state, “The  Internet  is the most popular (but not the only) computer network today” (3.5). The internet is a vast network of computers using routers and ISPs to pass along information. When reviewing the ping times and packets that were sent, I noticed each set of commands sent 4 packets each. In my examples, no packets were lost in the ping process (see notes below). When completing the traceroute process, I was able to get a much more detailed view of how the information was being processed from router to router. Also, there were failures along the way in the server that was traced to China. Due to the distance, I can see why information might time out, reach firewalls, or possible just hit disconnected servers or servers that are communicating too slow to really process the information. With the traceroute command it was easy to tell that my ping was failing in the middle of th...

Link to Scratch Project:  https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/790263713 Building a program using the Scratch website was an interesting experience. At first the w ebsite was awkward to use, and several attempts were made to make the functions of the programming complete the task that was trying to be sent to the output in video and sound format. The finished product took many times of re-watching the video that was created to ensure that the final output was what was intended. While starting the project was frustrating, the blocks became easier to use. Keeping in mind that each part of the program, including the two different characters and even the backdrops, had to be “told” what to do was key in successfully completing this project.             Trial and error were the best tools of success for finishing this assignment. Repeatedly watching the video and correcting each mistake at a time was the best method for reaching a fin...