1. Chengyu Sun California State University, Los Angeles
CS2011 Introduction to Programming I Do's and Don'ts of Learning Programming in CS2011
Chengyu Sun
California State University, Los Angeles

2. So you want to improve you programming skills
(and if you are a CS major, you really should since
CS 2011 is the foundation of everything CS)
You know it's practice, practice, practice,
but how??

3. Things That Can Help A LOT
Complete all the exercises in the labs, homework, and exams
Redo the exercises to improve them
Discuss implementation strategies with instructors, TAs, and fellow students
(And yes, pay attention in class too)

4. Complete All Exercises
We have more exercises in this class than some other class sections (and that's not because the TA and I enjoy grading so much)
The exercises are hand-picked/crafted to fit your level while giving you a challenge, and emphasize the skills/techniques that we believe are important

5. Improve Code Make the code more efficient/concise/readable For example
Simplify code (e.g. complex if-elseif-else  switch)
No loop  loop
Loop  a different loop
Eliminate unnecessary code
Use naming conventions
Use better formatting

6. Talk Implementation Strategy
Go to office hours and ask questions
Discuss with your fellow students
Talk implementation strategy (i.e. the way to think), not actual code

7. Things That Can Help Some
Read code examples and solutions
Discover new/better ways to do things
The more you already know, the more you can get out of examples

8. Things That Will or May Affect You Negatively
Cheat
Copy from other students
Copy from solutions found online
Google

9. Use Web Search the Right Way
Think before your search
The internet is your reference, not your brain