is computing any good?

[lorennnz]

^^ and can you do it without 1/2? Hard? Tenks.

kay i just looked at sd, so can you choose informatics or software development for 3/4?

Moderator edit: Merged double post.

[MightyBeh]

I think computing is excellent (although I suppose I'm somewhat biased). Computing 1/2 is a general introduction to IT style stuff, and new this year. Not exactly sure what you'll cover, but I imagine some networks, hardware, algorithms, etc. etc.

Not sure about informatics but you can go straight into Software Development but you'll be a little disadvantaged when it comes to the actual developing software part. I'd 100% recommend speaking to the relevant staff at your school to find out what language you'll be studying and research it a bit (even play with it in your own time) because it's obviously a pretty major part of the course. Probably worth noting that only algorithms will appear on the exam though. SD is kind of a pseudo-folio subject now though, with a SAT that spans from around mid unit 3 to unit 4. The SAT requires you to have a real client (someone that you've approached personally) that you'll develop a software solution for; other than that the course is very straight-forward.

Software development, if that's what you're interested in, is a pretty good class to skip the 1/2 for. The theory is very easy to grasp so the only thing that could really hold you back is the programming skills, and you don't even need to be that advanced.

[lorennnz]

new this year.

So like spesh 1/2? Never used to be a thing.

Not sure about informatics but you can go straight into Software Development

Do you know the difference between Informatics and Software Development?
Also, do you have an idea which one would be better for engineering?

Thanks!

[Aaron]

Do you know the difference between Informatics and Software Development?
Also, do you have an idea which one would be better for engineering?

What type of engineering? I would say if it's software/computer engineering, Algorithmics might be a better option (given the level of math in it). Informatics is essentially a system subject, focusing on spreadsheets; project management; databases and so on. Software development is.. pretty much what the title says (e.g. algorithmic pseudocode; developing some programs using x programming language and so on)

You can enter either Informatics or Software development without 1/2. Algorithmics has a pre-requisite of Maths Methods 1/2, but I'm 99% sure it isn't a mandated one (more of a suggested pre requisite, if anything).

You need to have the right motivations to choose a computing related subject. It'll be a very boring year in that subject if you have zero interest in computing.

I'm also moving this to the Technology board, given it's discipline specific.

I think computing is excellent (although I suppose I'm somewhat biased).

-insert biased support for this quote-. Whilst I think computing is great and they're slowly moving in the right direction, I can't help but think it is STILL out of date (take this from me, a guy who has an IT degree).

I definitely agree with Beh, you need to contact the teacher who runs these IT classes and ask them what it's like. It was either this year or last year that they removed the mandatory programming language list, instead focusing on "a language that can support OOP (object oriented programming)", which means that you'll have A LOT of variation.