Re: question about the toString Method

Art Cummings wrote:

I think I follow what you're saying. My Java intermediate course is starting in a couple of weeks. I'm wondering at what point concepts like this are introduced. Is this a graduate level understanding? The text by

I'm curious what level you are now. You sound like someone who has just finished their first freshman semester.

I'd say you should understand how to read a spec (especially one like the JLS, which is pretty darn easy to read) by the beginning of your senior (undergraduate) year, at the latest, and by the end of your second year it should be much easier and more natural. However, don't wait for your instructors to spoon feed it to you. Start on your own. (Starting right now with just having done your first class may be a bit impractical.)

I think technology moves much faster now than it did 20 years ago. A course designed specifically to teach a programmer how to stay up with current trends would be a great idea.

Companies love to send educational stuff to schools. Work out a deal with your instructors or local chapter of the ACM for "extra studies" courses working with companies to understand their products and specs. Even if you couldn't take the course yet, it'll be good to get the ball rolling and have someone else be the first guinea pig. New courses tend to be a mess.

Don't be afraid to read company specs, IEEE documents, ANSI, RFC, ISO, etc. Work out a course on "who are these guys and how do I get their stuff" even if it's just 0.5 units or less. How does a programmer obtain and understand a specification? That should be the goal of the course. There are also meeting minutes and other services that explain the specs further. These often costs money; your school might pay for a subscription as part of a course. Always spend other people's money if possible.

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