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Memory problem - does it happen to you as well?

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:31 am
by crazytopu
It feels like I am learning but can't seem to keep the things in my memory. Be it a simple funciton name or some syntax that I used and then I forgot completely. It's true I never really spent hours after hours with php and I was learning all different sort of things. But what is your strategy not to forget the stuff you learn? Or does it happen to you too? Any energy drink to keep memory strong! :D ?

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:35 am
by Chris Corbyn
I use the manual, I google. I'm not worried if I forget things, as long as I know how to quickly look things up then I can do my job just fine :)

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:36 am
by impulse()
I've just been searching for a similar post I made to yours a while back but I can't find it. It was basically asking the same question as you are in this post.

At first when learning PHP I was getting worried because I'd learn something then a few days down the line it would vanish from memory and I'd have to consult the manual and learn everything all over again. I think I'm still at the stage where there's more I don't know that I know but I can still sit there and write what I need to do. I think it's a case of keep writting code and eventually you can predict which argument goes where in a function because you've used PHP so much you sort of know what it wants where. As for remembering actual functions, it's probably best to explain your problem on these forums and 9/10 you'll get your answer. Or get told where you'll find your answer.

Don't worry, Stephen

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:39 am
by Chris Corbyn
Knowing how to program has nothing to do with remembering what order $needle and $haystack appear in strpos and in_array(). The manual is there for a reason. All languages have an API reference you'll likely consult regularly.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:08 am
by crazytopu
Thx, I am not alone then :D

But don't you worry how long it takes you to write a code or solve a problem? Especially, in commercial environment time does matter! Is it a stress?

impulse(), there is an easy way to find your own posts, just click on your name (where it says who is online), then you will see a link "see all posts made by impulse()". Hope you knew it already.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:18 am
by Chris Corbyn
It doesn't take very long to look things up in the manual. Most of my time is spent discussing proposals, doing feasibility studies and of course testing! If I had to learn "fundamental" programming logic everyday then yes, I'd be worried about my job! :)

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 8:55 am
by Maugrim_The_Reaper
Heh, when you get to grips with a few programming languages you'll quickly learn that very specific function/API reference knowledge has no particular advantage. PHP besides has a particularly good manual which is simple to find references too. I mean typing http://www.php.net/{function_name} will find anything ;). As for needle/haystack order - I have never bothered to memorise it and never understood anyone who did - why bother filling your brain with such inconsequential information when its capacity is put to better use memorising design patterns, unit testing techniques, etc. Yesterday I spent a minute or two finding a particular set of functions including the gmp extension and an array_intersect type function. I likely won't use them for months again so why remember them?

Nope, you are far from being alone. :)

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:11 am
by crazytopu
This is very encouraging. This is the first time I am seriously thinking to getting into deep of PHP. You guys will see me here more often. I am sure helping others out is a good way to teach yourself.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:24 am
by Luke
crazytopu wrote:I am sure helping others out is a good way to teach yourself.
none better 8)

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:47 am
by Kieran Huggins
I can never remember the order of function arguments either :-)

Like Mauggy said: PHP Manual is good to keep on hand. Also, you can download a CHM (Windows help file) version for those embarrassing offline moments, and if you want to get even more high-tech you can use an IDE with function hinting / auto-completion.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:51 am
by RobertGonzalez
The Ninja Space Goat wrote:
crazytopu wrote:I am sure helping others out is a good way to teach yourself.
none better 8)
+1. I started out learning then moved into learning and helping. Now I learn, help and help learn. And I always have the PHP manual open. Always. 8)

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:59 am
by crazytopu
It's good to know the secrets of all these "genious" contributors who I thought all take some sorta memory tablet :roll:

I am getting more confident now.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:12 am
by crazytopu
Oops! just realised I have used "" around genious, it was not to mean that you guys are not genious or I doubt that but rather to make the word stands out.

Hope it creates no confusion.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:43 am
by Maugrim_The_Reaper
In comparison to the soon-to-be-dead individual who called me "Mauggy"? Me? The Reaper? Heh?!

I think you're safe. Now, where does this Kieran Huggins guy live...;)

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:42 pm
by Kieran Huggins
offending someone named "the reaper" + "Location" field in profile = "oh crap"

Won't happen again Maugs! :wink: