Artificial Intelligence

AI self portrait Life inside a CPU

Like many others, I have been playing around with AI, specifically openAI's chatGPT models and their DALL-E image generator. The image above (left) was created by DALL-E-3 - I asked it to create a self-portrait of itself. The one on the right is its rendition of "Life within a CPU"

Learning to write code and develop websites

coding meme

I had a specific requirement at work that could best be solved with a program. I bought a book (Learn C++ in 24 Days) and was able to learn enough to build a successful application that solved the problem. I wrote many more applications using C++ both for work and various hobbies but after migrating to a Mac, my programs no longer worked. So I re-coded them in Python and Java. The first language is the hardest - adding new languages becomes easier since many have the same rules, just different syntax, so Python and Java were a quick learn. I was also playing around with HTML back in the 90s when the web and I were young. Since then, I have picked up a little Javascript, SQL, Bootstrap and PHP which makes for a better user experience. There are many ways to learn to write code such as youtube, udemy, books, and other websites like w3schools. Try it, you may enjoy it.


If you are wondering what language to learn, consider these points: C++ is often used for system-level programming, game development, and other high-performance applications that require low-level control over hardware resources, Python is used for a wide variety of applications, including web development, data analysis, machine learning, and scientific computing and Java is often used for large-scale enterprise applications, mobile app development, and web development. If you can't decide, choose Python.


If you want to learn web development, here are some things you should consider:
  1. HTML: This is not a programming language, but it's an essential markup language used for creating web pages. You will need to learn the basics of HTML, including the structure of web pages, tags, and attributes.
  2. CSS: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is used to style and layout web pages. You will need to learn how to use CSS to change the colors, fonts, layout, and other visual aspects of web pages.
  3. JavaScript: JavaScript is a programming language that runs in web browsers and is used for creating dynamic and interactive web pages. You will need to learn JavaScript to add interactivity, animations, and dynamic content to your web pages.
  4. Server-side programming languages: In addition to client-side languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you will also need to learn server-side programming languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby on Rails. These languages are used for creating web applications that run on servers and provide dynamic content to users.
  5. Databases: You will also need to learn how to use databases to store and retrieve data in your web applications. Popular databases for web development include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.
In addition to these languages and technologies, there are other skills and tools you will need to learn to become a successful web developer, including:
  1. Version control: You should learn how to use version control tools like Git to manage your code and collaborate with other developers.
  2. Web frameworks: Web frameworks like React, Angular, and Bootstrap can make it easier to develop complex web applications by providing pre-built components and structures.
  3. APIs: You should learn how to use APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to connect your web applications to other services and data sources.
  4. Testing and debugging: You will need to learn how to test and debug your web applications to ensure they work correctly and are free of errors.
  5. Responsive design: You should learn how to create web pages that work well on different devices and screen sizes, using techniques like responsive design and media queries.
Overall, web development is a broad field that requires learning multiple programming languages, tools, and technologies. It's important to focus on learning the basics first and then gradually building up your skills and knowledge.

photo of meme