有些急性子

有些急性子

有些急性子
jike
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What is programming thinking - Taking a project as an example

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The document discusses key characteristics of programming thinking, emphasizing problem decomposition, MVP (Minimum Viable Product) construction, step-by-step testing, automation, and logging. It provides a practical example using the "Didi ride-sharing itinerary" to illustrate these concepts. 1. **Problem Decomposition**: The author identifies the cumbersome task of copying itinerary data from a PDF to a system and realizes that this is a task suited for programming. 2. **MVP Construction**: Using the AI programming tool Trea, the author quickly develops a code to extract data from the PDF and output it to an Excel template. 3. **Step-by-Step Testing**: The author iteratively refines the output, adjusting the Excel format based on a provided standard template and ensuring the data is sorted correctly. 4. **Automation**: The program automates the data entry process, saving time and reducing future hassles. 5. **Logging**: The use of Git for version control serves as a log of changes made during the coding process. The author concludes that programming thinking is a vital skill for problem-solving in various contexts, not just coding, and encourages others to document their experiences.

1. Characteristics of Programming Thinking#

  • Problem Decomposition

    • Break down large problems into smaller ones that can be solved step by step.

  • Build MVP

    • "Get it running" first. A preliminary viable solution can validate our direction and also increase confidence.

  • Step-by-Step Testing

    • Test each step correspondingly, rather than waiting until all work is done; otherwise, discovering issues may require starting over.

  • Automation

    • Repetitive and bulk tasks are not human strengths; it's more suitable to hand them over to programs.

  • Logging

    • Memory is unreliable. Only logs can faithfully record all information, making it easier to locate problems.

2. Example of Summarizing Trip Data with "Didi Taxi Trip Receipt"#

2.1 Problem Decomposition#

Problem: When filling out the reimbursement form, I found that I needed to copy trip and amount information from the trip receipt to the BOS system one by one, which was too cumbersome, and copying content from PDF easily led to errors.

Thinking carefully, shouldn't this be the kind of work that programs excel at? Why should I make it difficult for myself?

Just do it:

Analyze the requirements: Extract the corresponding time, location, amount, and other information from the trip receipt PDF, and then output it to a fixed template Excel sheet.

All PDF formats are fixed, and the Excel format to be exported is also fixed. Therefore, once the program is written, it can adapt to all Didi trip receipts.

2.2 Build MVP#

I used the AI programming tool Trea to build the code more quickly. This is the first AI IDE produced by ByteDance, deeply understanding the Chinese development scenario.

First, create a folder to store the code files and place a Didi trip receipt PDF file in the folder. Then open this folder in Trea.

Next, switch the dialog box on the right side of Trea to Builder mode and input the following command.

Extract the corresponding start time, start location, end location, and amount information from the trip receipt PDF, and then output the corresponding content to the terminal.

First, build an MVP that can retrieve the corresponding data. Clearly, this small requirement is a small case for AI. In less than a minute, it wrote the preliminary code and produced the desired output. This made it much easier for me to copy the required data from the terminal. Of course, this is definitely not the final result I wanted.

2.3 Step-by-Step Testing#

Next, I input another command to the AI:

I want to save the output content as an Excel file.

Quickly, the AI completed its work and realized my vision.

However, this is not the end; I have specific requirements for the format of the Excel file. Next, I directly placed the standard Excel sample file I needed in the folder and told the AI:

Please adjust the format of your output Excel file according to the Excel file I provided.

Soon, the Excel format I wanted was achieved.

However, there were still some aspects of the output Excel that did not meet my needs. I wanted the entries in the output Excel to be sorted in ascending order by start date and time. I gave the AI another requirement:

Sort the entries in the output Excel in ascending order by start date and time.

Thus, through step-by-step testing and adjustments, the "mini-program" I needed was finally realized.

2.4 Automation#

This program is an automated way to help me get relief from the complicated task of filling out trip receipts. Although it took dozens of minutes of continuous adjustments, consuming time for filling out reimbursements, it will definitely save me a lot of trouble in subsequent work.

2.5 Logging#

In programming, the git tool is a great logging tool, with corresponding log records for each code update.

This article is also a log of my attempt this time.

3. Conclusion#

Programming thinking should be an important way of thinking that we need to have in our work. It is not only used for writing code; the ability to decompose problems allows us to tackle "big problems"; MVP enables us to build preliminary models for solving problems; logging helps us trace back the steps to solve issues and better summarize experiences...

4. Aside#

I haven't written anything for a long time, so I need to exercise my brain and record something.

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