Week 2: CST 338 Software Design.

During the past two weeks, I have been getting more comfortable with both the technical tools and the mindset needed for programming in Java. When we first started with Lab 00, using IntelliJ was a new experience. At first, I felt overwhelmed by all the windows and options, but as I followed the videos and built the first small projects, I started to see how the IDE actually supports my workflow. Code completion, automatic formatting, and instant error feedback made a big difference in helping me write cleaner and more efficient code.

Learning Git in Lab 01 added another layer of understanding. Initially, Git felt complicated and intimidating, but as I practiced basic commands like add, commit, and push, it began to make sense. I now understand how branching and version control allow developers to experiment without fear of breaking things permanently. It was satisfying to see how Git can track every step of the process, making it easier to stay organized and recover from mistakes.

This week, the focus on unit testing and interfaces tied everything together. Unit testing showed me that even small, isolated tests can build confidence in my code before combining larger parts of a program. It also reminded me that programming isn’t just about writing code that runs; it’s about writing code that behaves predictably and can be maintained over time. Interfaces, on the other hand, gave me a new perspective on design. I found it interesting that Java encourages you to define what something should do before you decide how it does it. That idea, along with encapsulation, helped me see how good design keeps programs organized and easy to extend later.

Overall, these first two weeks have built a solid foundation in both tools and thinking. I’m learning that programming is less about memorizing commands and more about developing habits; using tools like IntelliJ and Git effectively, writing testable code, and designing programs with clear structure and purpose. I feel more confident going forward, knowing that these early lessons will make future challenges easier to handle.

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