This week, we explored using databases. Although I found it complicated and a little confusing to initially set up, I could see how much time and effort it could save me in the long run. While trying to use my new knowledge about databases, I realised how accustomed I’ve become to quickly building the structure and layout of a website, so I’m sure I will soon be able to use and link databases with ease. 

This week, I also felt that I was able to use the console to find and fix most of the errors in my code without needing help.

I enjoyed this week’s lecture from Paul Weston about his company, Lab Media and creative technologies in general. It was inspiring to hear about the children he’s worked with and how access and encouragement to creative technologies can help kids struggling in education. I wish I had the opportunity to do things like this when I was younger and had my own educational difficulties. He also allowed us to try out a theremin, and it was humbling to see how difficult they are to play.

We then saw how live data can be used in a weather website. While working on this website in class, we were divided into groups to complete a specific feature, with the end goal of having the same exact code as the rest of the group. I found it beneficial to try to communicate about code with others, and I realised that I need to work on voicing what I think.

I also found it incredibly useful to create fake live data for testing. This let me see if features connected to the data values worked or not much quicker than waiting for the live data to change. I am now getting used to setting up and linking databases, and I look forward to using different types of live data in the future.