When a person begins learning programming the primary goal is to understand how to accomplish a certain task. That is the goal in most disciplines actually. Create a list with certain variables, sort a certain dictionary, or modify a string are all projects that are not that difficult to learn. In 148 I feel like we push through a certain threshold where simple actions stop being such a huge challenge and instead we begin focusing on form.
Run time is the way efficiency manifests itself most directly. Before dealing with more complicated functions we must learn to see how to build simple things correctly so they don't take too much time. In this action we go from simply writers of code to understanding the underlying mechanisms in computer science. In that way 148 is that much more significant than 108.
When we look at efficiency we use the example of sorting. From the basic bubble sort to merge sort we begin to understand that it is not simply enough to solve a problem but we need to find the one that is most practical, will do it fastest, and is not overly complicated. To find the perfect one we must combine all those factors and make the right decision.
So far out of all classes in my university career I find computer science the most intriguing. Now not only do we need to solve a problem we need to chose a case which is most practical and applicable.
