Untitled Again

People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them. George Bernard Shaw

Mendekati sidang skripsi hari selasa depan, saya sedikit banyak deg-degan juga. Setelah melihat beberapa sidang senior dan kawan, saya jadi berpikir bagaimana dengan sidang saya. Rata-rata dari mereka memang tidak mendapatkan masalah yang berarti. It's either they had the project done perfectly or the panels were too kind to ask something difficult. Panel saya memang boleh terbilang baik, kata senior juga sih. Tapi gimana-gimana saya tetap khawatir kalau beliau tanya hal-hal yang diluar prediksi. Masih untung kalau pertanyaan itu bakalan teoritis. Lha kalau yang menyangkut bagian yang tidak di implementasikan di sistem gimana ? Walhasil saya jadi pikir-pikir lagi apa yang kurang dari sistem saya. Dan semakin dipikir semakin banyak lagi kurangnya yang keliatan. Memang om Bernard bener banget, saya terlalu terikat dengan beban saya. Padahal supervisor sudah fine-fine aja tuh sama sistemnya. Dan mereka yang under same supervision juga ndak ada nambahin yang macem-macem. Nah kalau mau tau, ini nih yang dinamakan dengan 'MEMBUAT MUDAH YANG SUSAH'.

Learn the Basic

The basic thing of being a programmer is not the capability to memorize the whole code. Rather than that, what you need to strengthen is the logic.

If you do not want to learn the most basic thing, then forget about coding and anything related to it. You do not understand how your program should work, then how can you start the code ? That's the worst case. Some do better, they understand the objectives yet they do not know how to implement it. The answer is simple: READ and DO. Google provides most of the answers and even the tutorials. So why don't you start to use it anyway ? Too complicated ? Then lemme know something which is not complicated ! It is your mind which is matter. As long as you bear in your mind that programming is not tough, then so be it !

Lemme tell you something, during my senior high school, I got average mark in biology. I did not compete with my friends when it came to biology. If you ask why, my answer is because I don't like it as much as I like math, physic, chemistry, or even economic. The reason behind this is my experience since junior high school. I used to sleep in the class yet I was still able to understand the subject, except biology. This is the only subject in which you need to memorize latin. Since I don't like memorizing, then I turned out to despise this subject.

I don't tell you to hate biology also, what I want to say is what your mind thinks is necessary. As long as you say programming is difficult, trust me, you won't understand any single thing you learned. So what's the use of going to college if in the end you stay as who you were ? Okay, you got marks. But what those marks are gonna do with your future ? Nothing ! You have no knowledge, so why should company hire you ?

If you are aware of the importance of loving the subject and ready to go to the next level, then the next thing you have to do is DO what you have learned. Better yet, SHARE to others what you already knew. Unlike physic or chemistry, programming needs to be tried until you think you already mastered enough. You got the concept but you don't know how to write down your concept is a waste. You may ask your friend to do your idea, but what happen if this friend gets new idea based on your idea and then claims that it's originally his ? Up to certain level, someone considered as friend is still necessary. But don't let him get the advantage from what it's supposed to be yours. Learn how to code and you will lessen your loss. If you know the coding, your mates are not gonna cheat on you.

Conclusion

Up to this part, if you don't understand what it takes to be a programmer, then lemme summarize it for you. It only takes 3 steps but each step requires your full intention.

1. Loving

The fundamental stuff in order to master any kind of knowledge. Whenever you start loving what you are learning, you will see the world differently. It's getting easier and easier. In the end, you will realize that the subject is not tough.

2. Read and Learn

Loving without studying is useless. Your love will get you nowhere. Start reading and learning something new. You can not separate reading and learning. Reading without learning is what you get when you read a novel. You read and you get nothing except the story. Read with your full attention then you will get something.

3. Implement

This is the last step as well as the most important on deciding whether you are ready to be a programmer or not. Those steps above are gonna be a waste if you don't start to implement it. So what are you waiting for ? Do it right now !

---

I got 3 offers to do my friend's assignment and those are not free. Yet I rejected all of them. I wanna enjoy my day dude. Please understand me. It's not like I hate you or the payment is not high enough. If I don't have anything to do, I will help you for sure. Even if it means that I have to do it for free. Surely, I am gonna get better. But what about you ? What kind of improvement will you get if I do all those stuffs ? Getting better in report ? Come on, report is only 3% whereby the rest of the marks will go to the implementation. I'll more appreciate it if we sit and solve the assignment together. Doesn't matter who will do the code, since all of us will get the knowledge. And as I told you before, no hard feelings when I refused your offer.

The Beginning of An End

Hidup itu merupakan kumpulan potongan-potongan kejadian yang saling berhubungan. Bagaikan kereta dengan gerbongnya, begitu pula hidup dengan setiap kisahnya. Tak usahlah mengeluh tentang apapun yang kita alami saat ini. Toh bisa jadi ini bukan akhir tapi awal. Dan tak usah pula bergembira sehingga lupa akan batasan, mengira bahwa kebahagiaan ini adalah awal dari kebahagian-kebahagiaan yang akan datang. Hingga pada akhirnya kita merealisasikan bahwa itu adalah suatu akhir, dan bukan awal. Maka apapun yang terjadi pada kita, ingatlah selalu salah satu dari kebijakan pak tua:

Apapun yang terjadi, itu sungguh yang terbaik bagi kita. Tuhan tidak akan pernah menipu, karena dia sungguh bukan penipu

Skripsi sudah terkumpul tapi assignment masih ada beberapa. Dan jangan lupa final exam. Ditambah lagi dengan presentasi skripsi minggu depan. Selain itu, tempat tinggal untuk internship juga belum dicari. Tapi saya yakin bahwa selama Allah masih bersama saya, maka setiap masalah pasti ada penyelesaiannya. Seperti yang saya alami saat memutuskan untuk mengambil skripsi semester kemarin dengan judul yang mudah dan susah, toh akhirnya saya berhasil juga melewatinya. Mudah bagi yang sudah pernah berkenalan dengan PHP dan susah bagi pemula seperti saya.

Hari-hari penuh pikiran tentang bagaimana program ini seharusnya berjalan dan cara pengimplementasiannya. Ketika sudah mendapatkan ide, tapi tidak tau caranya. Dan tau caranya tapi bingung dengan ide dasarnya. Belum lagi dengan permintaan bantuan beberapa teman untuk skripsi atau tugas mereka. Jika saya pikir saat ini, saya hampir tidak percaya melakukan itu semua. Mengajari orang tentang subject yang beberapa semester lalu telah saya ambil adalah hal yang biasa. Yang tak pernah terpikirkan adalah mengajari orang bahasa pemrograman yang bahkan pada saat phase 2 dimulai saya tidak tau bagaimana cara menjalankan program itu. Untuk skripsi mereka lagi. Berat kalau di pikirkan, tapi itulah kenyataan. Dan anda tau apa yang saya rasakan kemarin, saat report Final Year Project saya kumpulkan ? Kelegaan yang luar biasa ! Saya tidak tau apakah bisa mendapatkan 'A' untuk FYP, tapi yang saya yakin, insya Allah saya pass karena objectives yang diminta oleh supervisor saya sudah terpenuhi.

Setelah sekian lama berpusing-pusing ria dengan FYP, maka saya putuskan untuk menghadiahkan diri saya sendiri beberapa hari libur dari yang namanya coding dan report. Rencana hanya tinggal rencana. Mulai besok saya harus mengerjakan assignment web based yang submission minggu depan. Dan final meeting dengan supervisor sebelum presentasi. Tapi tak apalah, toh ini jalan untuk sebuah akhir.


----


[+] Currently reading : Rich Dad Poor Dad
[+] Currently playing : Depapepe - Start

Marching Forward

YEY, IT'S GETTING MORE INTERESTING ! After I was confused about how it should be done and focused on interface rather than how the system works, I finally got a brief image about the system. I really appreciate those who helped me so far (Fachry, Kak Muthe, Hamy, and of course my supervisor, Mrs. Kalaiarasi). Even though you may not be aware that you already helped me. I learnt a lot during these days, from zero up to something. However it's still a long way until my project is done, that's why I'd bear in my mind what Fachry said :

Don't think ! Just do !

Que Sera Sera

When I was just a little girl,
I asked my mother, 'What will I be?
'Will I be pretty?
'Will I be rich?'
Here's what she said to me:

'Que sera, sera,
'Whatever will be, will be;
'The future's not ours to see.
'Que sera, sera,
'What will be, will be.'

When I was just a little boy,
I asked my mother, 'What will I be?
'Will I be handsome?
'Will I be rich?'
Here's what she said to me:

'Que sera, sera,
'Whatever will be, will be;
'The future's not ours to see.
'Que sera, sera,
'Whatever will be, will be.

There are times when I am so scared about the future. The same thing happened to me for previous days, I was so scared of this trimester. I was afraid I couldnt finish my project well. I was afraid that there would be at least one subject to resit. If that happens, I have to extend for another one year to graduate. During night time, when everybody was sleeping, I kept thinking about those things. Thinking what I should do and how I prevent such things happen. But i still concern whether what if all of the plans are screwed up. All of those days, I just thought about 'what if'. It's yesterday when I saw the advertisement above and realized that I shouldnt have to bother about what the future will be. Que Sera Sera. Whatever will be, will be. If I am able to get what I plan so far, then so be it. It's not my job to predict the future. It's Allah's. All I need to do now is do the best. And how about what will happen next? I just let Allah handle the rest. He knows the best for my future though. And dont forget that He will send angels descend upon them who pray to Him as He said in these verses:

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُواْ رَبُّنَا ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَقَـٰمُواْ تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕڪَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُواْ وَلَا تَحۡزَنُواْ وَأَبۡشِرُواْ بِٱلۡجَنَّةِ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمۡ تُوعَدُونَ (٣٠) نَحۡنُ أَوۡلِيَآؤُكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡيَا وَفِى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ‌ۖ وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَا تَشۡتَهِىٓ أَنفُسُكُمۡ وَلَكُمۡ فِيهَا مَا تَدَّعُونَ (٣١)

Lo! those who say: Our Lord is Allah, and afterward are upright, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not nor grieve, but hear good tidings of the paradise which ye are promised. (30) We are your protecting friends in the life of the world and in the Hereafter. There ye will have (all) that your souls desire, and there ye will have (all) for which ye pray. (31) -- QS. Fussilat : 30-31

When I feel down or am scared of something which is yet to happen, then I just need to read this post again. So that I am aware that thinking of those stuffs are just a waste.

Time Relativeness

Albert Einstein once stated that time is relative. Based on his theory, time is different between two persons standing in different points. Even the speed of moving object towards them is the same, they can't agree on the time it takes for other objects to travel relative to them. It is contradiction to what Newton said in "Principia Mathematica" that time.

Thus it is exciting to know that, according to theory of relativity, if you want to spend less time for attending the class, just simply go to the Burj Khalifa and establish new class there. Of course you need a huge amount of money. Moreover, if you want to have more time with your wife or your family, just simply go to the deepest ocean and build your own building there.

However, there is a simple way to make the time runs faster as well as slower. It is change our feeling towards it to the opposite. If we want to class being dismissed earlier, just love the subject. And you will feel that the time runs so fast. That is what happens to my life. Currently, I am in my last year in my university in order to pursue my degree. I dont know whether I should be happy or sad. Being last year student means I only have next one year to 'enjoy' my time as student. To think that I will face the work-live soon and be able to help my parents, I should be happy. However, when I think that I still have many ambitions which are not fulfilled yet till this time, I supposed to be sad. Either way, this is life. Time goes by, whether we want or not. I could choose not to take my FYP this trimester, but it means that I have to extend for another year for sure. In the end, I would regret for this choice. Since my father has told me to get my degree as soon as possible and contribute more to my family as well as my neighborhood. That's why I chose to take FYP this trimester, even the title is quite tough. Do I understand the title ? For the first time I met my supervisor, I had no idea what the title was about. I didnt even know how to construct the system based on the title. All was blur. But thanks to my supervisor, Mrs. Kaliarasi, she explained well enough to be understood by a mere student like me.

After all, I wish for your du'a so that I am able to finish my degree as having planned and get the result I already planned. Wish me luck, since the best weapon besides du'a is luck. :)

There is nothing to learn from a lesson without pain. Because you can't gain anything without sacrificing something in exchange. But when you overcome that pain and make the lesson your own, you will obtain an irreplaceable fullmetal heart.

THIS IS MADNESS !

I AM MAD ! It is caused by neither my friends nor my foes. It is simply because of announced coursework for each subject. I dont get used to blame anyone or anything when I got bad mark. Instead I would consider it as a lesson to get higher. But what I experienced this week is an exception. I dont satisfy with the coursework for 2 subjects, Computer Network as well as Database Security. This is the reason why these stuffs get me mad :

1. Computer Network

I got only 32,5 out of 40. It aint bad. However I deserve to get more. The lecturer deducted my mark because during the presentation time my program didnt run smoothly. Well, it ISNT my fault nor my groupmate's. I already compiled in my own PC and it worked well. It can detect TCP/IP packet as well as other transport protocol. As being requested, it will only show TCP packet. I did it and added some informations so that it will show information about that TCP packet. Which part is the destination port, source port, window length, and so forth. The nightmare began during the presentation time. I was pretty confident back then. I was optimist I could explain anything regarding the code --since I was the one who did the code B-). However, the computer used for the presentation ruined everything ! I used computer in DIP Lab and the worst thing was CODEBLOCK WONT RUN ! I knew it already that my code would not run properly if I used dev-cpp so I used codeblock instead. But yeah, as I told you before, codeblock wont run and I had to compile with dev-cpp. What does it mean ? IT MEANS THAT I HAVE TO REWRITE MY CODE AGAIN ! In the end I got only 11 out of 15 instead of 15 out of 15. *dont ask me to have the lecturer reconsider it again. I already did. And she insisted that THAT is what I deserved. *sigh*.


2. Database Security

If you think that Computer Network is the worst, nope you're wrong. The worst part in this week came from Database Security coursework. I dont regret for the 16 out of 20 in midterm neither 5,5 out of 6 mark in assignment. What made me mad is 13 out of 20 mark for the project. I wouldnt blame the Computer Network lecturer for giving me 11 mark. I deserved it --even it aint my fault but yeah, maybe I lack of knowledge so that later on my coding should be run under any compilers. But this 13 out of 20 IS NOT WHAT I DESERVED ! I already fulfilled all of the requirements. I established database system using db2 and connected it with front-end application --which is Visual Basic. And everything worked well, even during presentation time. Is my project good ? Well, I wont say my project was the best. But most of my friends admitted that it should be one of the best. I spent 3 days with lack of sleeping time while doing the project. And I was satisfy with the result. Most of code were not lectured though --except for the database code which is common, I wanted to add function as being done in mySQL unfortunately I got errors while doing it, I knew how to create function in mySQL but it didnt work in DB2, dont know the problem. Unfortunately, it didnt amaze my lecturer at all. He gave me 11 whilst he gave another group 15 for the almost same idea --not to mention that theirs is worse than mine. I would not blame my friend who did the presentation. He did not understand the code well. Instead I AM mad with the lecturer. HE IS UNFAIR ! I already complained regarding that matter. Hope he will understand and boost up my mark. Well, I DESERVE IT ! :D

Footnote : I aint mad with Computer Network's lecturer. She has done her best. And for the other one, even I am mad with him, he is STILL my lecturer though. So I still respected him. I just dissatisfy with the mark given since I think --and my groupmates think-- we deserve more.

What is what

Actually I'd like to share what I was experiencing during these weeks. 3 consecutive events and assignments gave me more experiences --and headache for sure :(. Starting from how hard it is to pursue people to do what they do not like to do but it is sufficient to be done, how I have to do what I never learnt how to do it before, and so forth. However, that is not what I want to share through this scramble-writing-of-mine. I have more interest in sharing what I got from a conversation between me and ayoub --one of my best friend here-- a few hours ago.

The conversation was about the importance of joining societies. It was unplanned conversation though. He just wanted to know the reference for upcoming quiz of Computer Network. I already had my quiz while he didn't. But the topic was changed when I said I was so tired of these past few days. His respond was interesting. He said that being tired caused by doing tasks in societies means tiring ourselves for nothing. Soon I was realized that he had different opinion about those societies stuffs and I thought it'd be interesting discussion as usual --FYI, every discussion I had with him IS always interesting. And it was !

30 minutes passed by without I noticed. There are more questions I wished to ask regarding his opinion but he had something else to do so that the conversation should be ended. My aim for posting it is to continue our discussion before as soon as he read this. Besides I am looking for your opinion based on your perspective also. Here is it :

[00:20:28] ­AYOUB just sent you a nudge!
­shev says:
[00:20:33] ­yep ?
[00:20:34] ­
­AYOUB says:
[00:20:52] ­how is it ?
­shev says:
[00:21:07] ­so tired for these past 3 days
­AYOUB says:
[00:21:14] ­cuz of iss
­shev says:
[00:21:19] ­not only iss
­AYOUB says:
[00:21:20] ­
[00:21:33] ­man
[00:21:40] ­wallahi u are tiring urself of nothing !!
[00:21:43] ­for*
­shev says:
[00:21:58] ­
[00:22:06] ­why ?
­AYOUB says:
[00:22:29] ­societies stuff are wasting of time
­shev says:
[00:22:44] ­and the reasons ?
­AYOUB says:
[00:22:55] ­no benefits at all
[00:23:03] ­name only one benefit ?
[00:23:11] ­and don't tell me gettin to know people
[00:23:18] ­
­shev says:
[00:23:22] ­hahaha
[00:24:01] ­there are alot of experiences i got from joining societies
[00:24:13] ­and i learnt alot
­AYOUB says:
[00:24:34] ­then u are imagining !!
[00:24:39] ­that u learn sth
[00:25:17] ­at least from my point of view
[00:25:33] ­anyway, have you had any computer network quiz ?
­shev says:
[00:25:38] ­yep
­AYOUB says:
[00:25:38] ­i mean for this week
[00:25:45] ­today ?
[00:25:54] ­what was about ?
­shev says:
[00:26:13] ­it was about DNS
[00:26:26] ­and SMI
[00:27:04] ­u ought to be able to distinguish among country domain, inverse domain , and generic domain
[00:27:23] ­then label and levels of hierarchy
­AYOUB says:
[00:27:37] ­which chapter was that ?
­shev says:
[00:27:44] ­9 and 10
[00:29:15] ­would u mind to tell me why u said that societies are useless ?
[00:29:42] ­*actually i did join societies not because of its benefit
[00:29:45] ­i jst liked
[00:29:51] ­*like
­AYOUB says:
[00:30:01] ­then should be ok
[00:30:22] ­cuz some people are trying to convince themselves that there are benefits
[00:30:29] ­or they are learning something
[00:31:08] ­i read some books of kevin paul about mind mapping and tricking
[00:31:29] ­some others about codes to minds
­shev says:
[00:31:58] ­then ?
­AYOUB says:
[00:31:58] ­most of them agree that people tend to trick their minds to satisfy the desire of wasting time
[00:32:15] ­or as they are referring to as time consumption !!
[00:32:41] ­the most valuable thing in our life is time
[00:33:58] ­The following are some of the most important duties demanded of Muslims:

1. Ensuring benefiting from time
2. Utilizing leisure time
3. Racing for good deeds
4. Learning from the passage of time
5. Seeking the superior times
6. Planning and organizing time
7. Fulfillment of time commitments
8. Necessary awareness of time wasters

[00:34:28] ­there are many hadiths, proverbs and some other quotes refer to the time imporance
[00:34:53] ­that is only from religious perspective
[00:35:04] ­going back to humanity's interpretation
[00:36:29] ­people are avoiding to do superior things (i.e study) and replace it with less important things

"There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good." (Bukhari 8/421)
[00:36:59] ­i won't be able to talk fluently to explain why did i say that
[00:37:14] ­cuz english is not my native
[00:37:59] ­but ld like to ask u: going back through your mind to past few weeks, what are benefits you gain from those socities and club activities ?
­shev says:
[00:38:58] ­get to knw stuffs i didnt knw before
[00:39:05] ­hehehehe
­AYOUB says:
[00:39:15] ­for example
[00:39:16] ­??
­shev says:
[00:39:40] ­2 days ago there was an event called indonesian exhibition
[00:40:01] ­it showed performances and culture information about indonesia
[00:40:42] ­although i'm an indonesian, since i wasnt interested in stuff like this before, then i didnt knw
­AYOUB says:
[00:40:56] ­about my country
­shev says:
[00:40:56] ­after attending the event , at least i knw smthing
­AYOUB says:
[00:41:08] ­that what u were going to say ?
[00:41:36] ­opening youtube or reading through wikipedia for 10min let u know whatever you want ?
[00:41:48] ­much more than u knew
­shev says:
[00:41:57] ­lol
[00:42:03] ­indeed
[00:42:57] ­as a social-being, it is important for us to communicate with others , isnt it ?
[00:43:38] ­utube and wiki sure provide alot of information which either u or me hv
[00:44:14] ­bt the communication goes one-way
­AYOUB says:
[00:44:36] ­wiki and utube are one way of givin info
[00:44:59] ­they are not social websites as facebook and myspace do
[00:45:24] ­which i'm not persuaded by those too
[00:45:44] ­knowing people can be through different ways
[00:46:07] ­but sticking too much with people is really sucks
­shev says:
[00:46:36] ­is it ?
­AYOUB says:
[00:46:37] ­how long have u been doing these socities stuff ?
­shev says:
[00:46:50] ­since i was in high school
­AYOUB says:
[00:47:10] ­then, i would argue that i have much more friends than u do
[00:47:14] ­sorry for that
[00:47:20] ­but that works for me
[00:47:37] ­not from malaysia, indonesia or even asia
[00:47:41] ­but worldwide
[00:47:45] ­even in brazil
[00:48:01] ­without having to engage in any type of socities
­shev says:
[00:48:13] ­and the way u went ?
­AYOUB says:
[00:48:32] ­meeting someone somewhere
[00:49:02] ­i knew one guy his name is joseph at dubai airport
[00:49:27] ­met him only for 15 min at the lounge
[00:49:41] ­i got his handphone
[00:49:45] ­then email
[00:49:57] ­and next holiday i will meet him at austria
[00:50:06] ­15 min ONLY !!
[00:50:15] ­not 15 days
[00:50:21] ­and the list goes on !!
­shev says:
[00:50:28] ­
[00:51:53] ­u r rare *LOL
­AYOUB says:
[00:52:06] ­no i'm not
[00:52:21] ­but like to be frank with myself !!
[00:52:57] ­someone said: reading useless books like reading none
[00:54:08] ­and getting to know 2 or 3 good friends better than 100 partners
­shev says:
[00:54:27] ­AGREED !
­AYOUB says:
[00:54:35] ­again that was my perspective
[00:54:48] ­u have urs and i respect it
[00:55:00] ­all my greetings
­shev says:
[00:55:11] ­hahahahahaha
[00:55:16] ­dont say like that
[00:55:21] ­i appreciate urs
­AYOUB says:
[00:55:27] ­
[00:55:46] ­take care and be connected
­shev says:
[00:55:53] ­people are different in wht they're thinking
[00:56:00] ­bt yeah , urs is interesting
[00:56:17] ­i'd like to hv more time to discuss this kind of stuff w/ u
[00:56:39] ­nt to show u that mine is right and urs is wrong
­AYOUB says:
[00:56:41] ­that will be my maximum pleasure ya smart man
­shev says:
[00:57:10] ­bt to gain another perspective
[00:57:24] ­it might be someday i'll do what u did
[00:57:26] ­
­AYOUB says:
[00:57:45] ­I always learn from you
[00:58:04] ­u don't have to change or do what i did for someone
[00:58:15] ­cuz you are very smart man
[00:58:18] ­intellectual
[00:58:24] ­panctual
­shev says:
[00:58:40] ­compared to u , u're better
[00:58:44] ­you have sent a nudge!
­shev says:
[00:58:52] ­
­AYOUB says:
[00:58:53] ­no comparisons to be made
[00:59:02] ­you are the one i respect
[00:59:09] ­that won't change
[00:59:13] ­keep it up
[00:59:15] ­ya mohamed
[00:59:29] ­i beg ur pardon
[00:59:37] ­got to go
[01:00:09] ­nice to talk to you always and thanks so much for computer networks tips

So, how about yours ? :D

Footnote :

• Some said connection is more important than knowledge and some said the opposite. Those who believe in importance of connection prefer to joining societies rather than studying. Oppositely, those who believe knowledge is the best main thing in order to succeed will study hard. I myself believe in what Mr. Andreas Raharso said --he explained by example-- ; connection will get you to Mrs. Sri Mulyani --current Minister of Economy of Indonesia--, but without knowledge you wont be able to talk much with her when it comes to economic stuff. So the ideal one --in my perspective-- is get to know people while at the same time you improve yourself.
• Priorities are different for each of since. So are the opinions. However yours is not always true and neither is mine. What had undergone in our lives influences it. What is right for you not always be right for me when you are in my condition and vice versa. Bottom line, just choose your path. Gather all information you need but in the end you have to choose by yourself since it's your life and you have to be responsible for it.

@ayoub I look for another discussion :-"

Pointer and Array

How to differ between a pointer and an array without knowing it beforehand?
Keep in mind that your code ought to be error-free during compilation time.

This question came up from one of forums I follow. I did not know how to solve the question though. But what came first to my mind was I could differ them if I compared size of those two. The idea is a pointer could not have size more than 1 whilst an array could.

//if foo is variable we're going to check
void* ptr;

if (sizeof foo == sizeof ptr)
      cout << "foo is a pointer";   
else  cout << "foo is an array";

Unfortunately, as it was explained there , it had bug if I initialized an array with only one member.

int foo[1];

The second option was mentioned by another member. His idea was an array couldn't use arithmetic operation such as increment or decrement so it would give an error if we're doing so.

//if buf is variable we're going to check
int main (void)
{
     char buf[10];
     ++buf;
     return(0);
}

It worked well, however it broke the rule stated before which is any compilation error is not acceptable. Finally, the thread starter gave the answer.

//p is variable we're going to check
if ((void*)(&p) == (void*)(&p[0]))
   printf("p is an array\n");
elseprintf("p is a pointer\n");

I smiled when I read the answer. I did not even think the answer would be that simple. If the address of a variable itself is equal to address of the first element in array, then it must be an array. Otherwise, it's a pointer. What a tricky question !

Refleksi atau Katarsis ?

Ada beberapa hal yang sering ditanyakan oleh teman-teman saya. Salah satunya adalah 'hobi' saya untuk mengajari orang. Yang namanya hobi, tidak berarti harus dibayar bukan ? Well, itulah yang mungkin menjadi pertanyaan. Mengapa kok mau-maunya ngajarin orang tanpa dibayar, sudah hilang waktu, capek, belum lagi kalau yang diajari 'agak' susah menangkap bahan yang sedang diajarkan. Dapat dibayangkan ketika harus mengajar data structures and algorithms kepada mereka yang masih dalam tahap computer programming I. Jika boleh diumpamakan, hal ini sama saja dengan mengajar perpangkatan kepada anak sma dimana dasarnya adalah perkalian, dan parahnya anak sma ini tidak menguasai tentang konsep perkalian. Dan jangan dikira ini hanya terjadi pada saat saya kuliah, pada saat saya smp hingga sma pun mengalami kejadian yang serupa. Berhadapan dengan orang yang sebenarnya belum siap untuk belajar tentang hal itu namun dipaksakan. Mengenai hal ini, saya sering bertanya-tanya dalam hati, "What the hell did u do during lecture, heh ?". Tapi tentu saja, saya tidak sampai hati untuk mengucapkan hal tersebut. Karena pada saat yang bersamaan saya takut hal itu justru mengurangi semangat mereka belajar. Sudah bagus-bagus mau belajar kok malah dimarahi. Toh katanya gak ada kata terlambat buat belajar. 


Kembali ke masalah mengajar, sebenarnya hal yang mendasari saya untuk mau membantu kawan-kawan saya bukanlah karena prestige, fund, proud, or those kind of stuffs. Instead, ada perasaan bangga tersendiri ketika melihat result 'anak didik' saya yang lumayan. Sekalipun hanya B+, akan tetapi nilai itu sangat berarti ketika didapat dengan jerih payah dan keringat yang tidak sedikit. Melihat wajah-wajah gembira mereka ketika memahami subject atau bahasan tertentu rasanya sudah lebih dari cukup untuk waktu yang terbuang terbagi untuk mereka. Selain itu, saya merasa bahwa mengajar menjadi suatu remainder akan subject tersebut sehingga tidak terlupa. Thus teaching without getting paid is not bad at all, right ?