CS371g Summer 2021: Shaharyar Lakhani
Hi there, and welcome to my Summer 2021 Generic Programming and the STL blog!
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Chicago, but I grew up in Plano, Texas. The reason we relocated was due to the cold winters and the fact that we had a lot of family here.
What high school did you attend?
I attended Plano East High School as a part of the International Baccalaureate Program. Go Panthers!
What was your favorite extracurricular activity in high school?
I was fortunate to receive lead roles in two musicals, In the Heights by Lin Manuel Miranda, and RENT by Jonathan Larson. I have always loved singing, but I didn’t realize that I would like acting until I auditioned for the first musical.
Why did you come to UT?
I was initially debating between UT and another university, but ended up deciding on UT because it was closer to home and it made more sense financially. I have really enjoyed it so far!
Why are you majoring in CS?
I started off my college career as a biochemistry major, but after taking an introductory computer science course, I was determined to change majors. I loved the challenge that CS gave me, and I haven’t looked back since!
Why are you in this class?
I only have one class left to finish up my degree, and it didn’t make sense for me to spend an entire semester on one course. I have also taken SWE with professor Downing, and I loved his teaching style, so I am happy to be taking another class with him.
What are your expectations of this class?
I expect to be well-versed in C++ after this class is over. I also want to know exactly what is meant by the class title: Generic Programming and the STL.
How much C++ do you already know?
I learned some C++ for OS, but it has been a while. However, I would consider myself beginner to intermediate.
How much Javascript/Python/SQL/Web programming do you already know?
I learned these in SWE last semester, so I would say I am pretty well-versed in the above languages. However, there is always room for improvement! Also, fun fact, Python is my favorite language.
How did you like the first lecture?
I thought the first lecture was good, but 2 hours feels really long. However, I am happy that professor Downing gave us a 5 minute break in the middle.
How did you feel about the cold calling?
I like it. It keeps people engaged. I am also used to it from last semester, so it wasn’t that big of a surprise.
What made you happy this week?
I just got back from vacation, and it was a blast! We went to New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Richmond. My favorite was probably Washington D.C. because of how clean it was.
What’s your pick-of-the-week or tip-of-the-week?
As a software engineer, knowing how to use version control is a necessity. Most companies have large code bases, and navigating the code can at times be difficult, but would be almost impossible without version control. I would highly recommend brushing up on git and memorizing common commands and what they do.
