while within while

[kyosohma at gmail.com]

On Oct 29, 9:26 am, Steven D'Aprano <st... at REMOVE-THIS-
cybersource.com.au> wrote:
> On Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:02:02 -0400, Shawn Minisall wrote:
> > Thanks a lot for your suggestions.  Unfortunately, a lot of the issues
> > brought up were simply the way I was taught by my professor and the way
> > she wants things done,having to use a numbered menu as opposed to
> > entering r, p or s, being taught just to use one main function for the
> > entire program, having to init all variables in the program b4 the
> > actual program starts or else points off for each program, while
> > statements surrounding every input statement for input validation
> > purposes...
>
> > Going beyond those things, would look like someone else wrote my program
> > since we didn't talk about or ever cover them in class.
>
> Haven't you heard of "I've been reading ahead from the text book" or
> "I've been reading discussion groups where they talk about good
> programming techniques"?
>
> Besides, you'll probably find your prof will forgive nearly anything if
> you acknowledge it first: plagiarism is considered a worse sin than
> failing to learn anything. Look up this thread on Google Groups, and
> include the URL in your assignment (you might want to give a TinyURL as
> well), and your prof can see for herself that we're not doing your
> homework for you.
>
> (Hey, chances are that she's googling for your name already...)
>
> Unless the assignment explicitly says "DO NOT SPLIT YOUR CODE INTO
> FUNCTIONS", you shouldn't be marked down for writing better code than you
> were asked for.
>
> On the other hand, if the assignment specifies "YOU MUST DO THIS" then
> naturally you must follow the instructions.
>
> * shakes head sadly *
>
> Kids today, more concerned about following instructions than learning...
>
> * half wink *
>
> --
> Steven

I had a professor who insisted that we not use loops and what-not
before they were taught in class as well. It seems to be a standard
thing in Computer Science classes. Kind of like learning mathematical
proofs or doing standard deviation the long way first. In some ways,
it's very helpful. In others, it's extremely lame.

Typical of the college education system though.

Mike