7-Modern-Languages-in-7-Weeks---Systems--Security---Algorithms-Track/progress.md

Week 1 Progress Map — Updated to Day 4

Student Profile

• Experience: Fullstack Web Developer (JavaScript, PHP, SQL, HTML, CSS, Python)
• Goals: System administration (Windows, Linux, macOS), hacking, algorithms, low-level programming
• Languages: C, Powershell, C#, Bash, SQL, C++, Python
• Current Focus: CompTIA A+ → CCNA → Security+

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Week 1 Overview

• Concept: Variables, Conditionals, Loops, Functions, Scope
• Goal: Build foundation in core programming concepts, algorithmic thinking, input validation, and cross-language syntax comparison

Day 1 — C

• Read user input
• Count characters in strings
• Enforce max length
• Validate first character via ASCII ranges
• Username validation: letters only, max length, starting letter

Day 2 — Python

• Conditional logic: Even/Odd number check
• Count letters in a string
• Username validation implemented in Python
• Multiple username validation
• Runtime analysis (T(n) and T(m, n)) and time complexity

Day 3 — SQL (PostgreSQL)

• Filter rows based on string length
• Select letters-only usernames using regex
• CASE WHEN to classify usernames as Accepted/Refused
• Aggregate valid usernames count
• Runtime analysis in SQL (T(n, m) = n x m) and scaling discussion

Day 4 — PowerShell

• Conditional logic: if / elseif / else
• Loops: foreach over strings and arrays
• Input validation: letters only, max 20 characters, starts with letter, no spaces or digits
• Username validator script for single and multiple usernames
• Algorithm analysis: runtime T(n, m) = n x m, doubling users doubles execution
• Security perspective: safe and defensive scripting in PowerShell, Windows admin context

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Completed Exercises Summary

• Exercise 1: Even/Odd number check (Python → PowerShell)
• Exercise 2: Count letters in string
• Exercise 3: Single username validation
• Exercise 4: Multiple usernames validation
• Exercise 5: Algorithm scaling explanation

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Next Objectives (Week 1 Day 5)

• Learn Bash scripting for Linux sysadmin workflows
• Apply conditionals, loops, and input validation in Linux environment
• Translate Day 1–4 algorithms into Bash scripts
• Emphasize security and defensive programming

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Recommendations

• Review regex patterns across languages (C, Python, SQL, PowerShell)
• Practice linear runtime analysis (T(n, m)) in each context
• Keep all scripts secure, avoid unsafe input handling
• Document differences in syntax and idioms between languages

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Notes

• Student has strong programming background; focus can be on systems, security, and algorithmic thinking
• Real-world project orientation encouraged (username validation → real-world user input handling, audits, or security scripts)
• Progress map will continue tracking daily exercises, language-specific skills, and algorithmic awareness