To be honest, a calculator can be pretty challenging. I had to do one from scratch in my University, 3 weeks after entering computer science course. It was meant to be able to compute infinite number operations, on infinite base, with parenthesis and basic operations, in C pure
It is indeed an interesting problem to solve, I was in the same position when started my university classes. And it is challenging algorithmically.
But that's it. You practice nothing else but algorithmic skills which is (fortunately or unfortunately) not the most important technical skills you will need in a software engineering job.
To be honest, a calculator can be pretty challenging. I had to do one from scratch in my University, 3 weeks after entering computer science course. It was meant to be able to compute infinite number operations, on infinite base, with parenthesis and basic operations, in C pure
It was very interesting to make
It is indeed an interesting problem to solve, I was in the same position when started my university classes. And it is challenging algorithmically.
But that's it. You practice nothing else but algorithmic skills which is (fortunately or unfortunately) not the most important technical skills you will need in a software engineering job.
I agree with you, from a job perspective.
From a learning and experimental perspective, I still think these projects have their place on this list, akin to a new language.
It seems to be more of a Compiler exercise to me. I love all that.