CSSI Day 11: Databases and Internship Talk

Today was all about datastores in App Engine, and how to use them in order to store data from users not locally, but in a database for future access. In the morning, we learned how to import datastores and add data to them, use queries to create objects out of and filter through the data, and also to delete data. This sounded a lot easier than it already was, especially grasping the many different aspects of datastores, including models, its properties, and manipulating objects inside of them.

Next, we began our project for the day, to create an application where users can create profiles and write messages on other people's profiles. This involved many steps, including:

1. Creating a form to take in user information
2. Storing the gathered information in a datastore
3. Creating a homepage to link to every user's profile
4. Creating profile pages for each user
5. Allowing users to delete their profiles
6. Enabling users to leave messages on others' profiles

I managed to complete the exercise today (yay!), but I haven't deployed the application yet so it isn't available to view online. I realized today that fully understanding the programs we built goes beyond understanding the code; instead, it is equally important to grasp the process that occurs in both the browser and servers. Through being able to explain what goes on in the background, it becomes a lot easier to apply those concepts to becoming better at coding.

After lunch, we got to meet a panel of current university (or college, as they say in the US) interns working at Google; they spoke about their experiences both applying to and working at Google. Furthermore, they gave us advice for writing resumes and participating in interviews. Hearing them talk about their roads toward the internship was very perceptive because it was easier to relate to these students, some of whom had only been in university for a year. As an added bonus, there was actually a University of Waterloo intern there! That was exciting, as afterwards I was able to ask him about questions that were more specific to Waterloo. 

After dinner, before leaving on the shuttle, I got to play shuffleboard for the first time at the office! The sliding is super tricky to get a hang of in the beginning, but I really loved the game. It's like a mini-version of curling, and since I really enjoy watching curling (especially during the Olympics) I had lots of fun.

The shuffleboard table! This game needs to be more popular.

I can't believe that today was already the last day of formal instruction... where has the time gone? The past few days have been a whirlwind of education and fun, entwined into a brilliant experience so far. As we move into finishing up App Engine and getting started on our final projects, I am excited to find out who I'm working with and begin coming up with our own ideas for building applications!

P.S. The Capital Cities Quiz app that I shared yesterday has been updated to include US capitals! Check it out here: http://capitals-quiz.appspot.com

Also, song of the day - awesomely upbeat remix of Pompeii by Bastille: