Programming and CS - Getting Started: Difference between revisions

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We are developing Getting Started pages on the most important topics and skills that are used throughout our courses.  These can be used by incoming undergraduate students to get a head start, incoming graduate students to review, or current students to refresh/remediate.


=Recommended Computer=
=Color Blindness=
Much of what we do in CS courses can work in Windows, Mac OS, Linux, or Chrome. There will be an odd thing or two still that may not work in Chrome. 
Most programming text editors use syntax highlighting - keywords have a different color than variables, etc. If you are color blind then you should use a different highlighting theme so it works for you. You can ask a current AI how to use a theme for color blindness in whatever editor you are using. For Python IDLE, the following instructions work (as of 2026): https://share.google/aimode/Vk6xIrl6dRQ2frFWZ
 
All other things being equal, getting a computer that is not "bottom of the barrel" would be good.  Chromebooks in the $400+ range should generally work reasonably well.  For Windows/Linux/Mac OS laptops, you should be looking for 8GB RAM bare minimum, preferred 16GB if possible, and avoid getting a laptop with an i3 or Celeron processor; this roughly corresponds to the $500+ price range. You can potentially get anything to work, but will have an easier time with a medium-range computer than a low-end system.
 
For laptops, we recommend getting at least a 3 year warranty (since they tend to break if you actually do transport them around).  Also, we recommend getting an option that has a long battery life (rule of thumb - battery life will be half of its original rating after 1-2 years of regular daily use).
 
You should also have the ability to install programs on the system and have a normally reliable internet connection at home if possible.
 
If you have a particular system in mind for purchase that you would like an opinion on, please feel free to contact one of the CS faculty members.
 
University recommendations are listed [https://indstate.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/1851/Portal/KB/Article/71665/Student-Laptop-Minimum-Specifications here] and are similar to that described above.


=Getting Started Pages=
=Getting Started Pages=

Latest revision as of 15:16, 26 August 2026

Color Blindness

Most programming text editors use syntax highlighting - keywords have a different color than variables, etc. If you are color blind then you should use a different highlighting theme so it works for you. You can ask a current AI how to use a theme for color blindness in whatever editor you are using. For Python IDLE, the following instructions work (as of 2026): https://share.google/aimode/Vk6xIrl6dRQ2frFWZ

Getting Started Pages

Practice Programming Contest Problems

See Programming Practice.

Source Control

It is a good idea to use source control when developing software, and is necessary when you are developing in a group or professionally. When working on assignments or course projects it is the best practice to use a private repository so other students cannot copy your work. Git is the industry standard for source control. Here are some resources to use to learn Git.

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