Problem solving
20 April 2023
The time I was blocked on a simple problem
When I was doing the Gradebook challenge, I had a bit of difficulty adding the 'testScores' property to each student object. The exercise description specified that bracket notation would need to be used to solve the challenge, and provided a link to a Medium article. The problem solving technique I used was to read that article, which explained the difference between using object dot and bracket notation. I learned that accessing an objects property by using a variable requires bracket notation. Once I used bracket notation I was able to add the testScores property to each student object and pass that test.
The time I elegantly solved a problem
When I did the built-in methods' capitilise challenge, and I had to solve the problem of how to manipulate individual words in a string. I googled 'how to capitilise the first letter of every word in a sentence'. I found a Freecodecamp article but it used a for loop, whereas the challenge required the map method. So I researched how to use the map method on MDN web docs. Once I understood how the map method worked I was able to add the logic from the Freecodecamp article and pass the test.
How confident I feel using each of these problem-solving techniques/processes:
Pseudocode
I'm pretty confident using pseudocode, and have been using this on each challenge.
Trying something
I usually do this if I think I have an idea of how to solve a problem already.
Rubber ducky method
I haven't tried this method yet so I'm not that confident, but I suspect i'll be consulting the duck for it's wisdom in the near future.
Reading error messages
This is my first port of call if something isn't working, so I'm fairly confident doing this.
Console.logging
I'm confident using console.log and use it often to see the value of a variable, array or object.
Googling
I'm confident using Google and I use this whenever I need to research syntax, or when I'm stuck.
Asking my peers for help
I haven't done this yet, so I'm not that confident. But I know that I can, when I hit the wall on a problem.
Asking coaches for help
Same as above!
Improving my process with reflection
After I solve a problem that I didn't know how to initially, I reflect on the new technique so I can absorb it and use it for future problems.
A time I was reluctant to ask for help
When I was doing the Gradebook challenge, I considered asking for help but I managed to solve the problem on my own. If I had been stuck for longer than 30 minutes I would've sought help.