March 2008 - Posts

Thesis on Scientific Computing (Computational Science) / Computational Mathematics
23 March 08 04:55 PM | norman | 7 comment(s)

Finally, I & my mentor has decided to narrow my research area for my thesis in Scientific Computing/Computational Mathematics and not into the Theoretical Computer Science. The two are actually at the different ends of the spectrum of the blending of Math & Comp Sci.

Scientific Computing/Computational Mathematics is the use of computing to solve Mathematical problems (or science/engineering problems that can be modeled mathematically). So, here, computing is the tool, while math is the main idea.

Theoretical Computer Science is the use of Mathematics to solve Computing problems. So, here, math is the tool, while computing is the main idea.

We decided to do the former for various reasons:
- My mentor specialty is on Scientific Computing/Computational Mathematics and not on Theoretical Computer Science. This is the major reason. Besides, no one in IPB (perhaps in Indonesia) has the specialty in Theoretical Comp Sci, while in IPB there are a number of lecturers that master scientific computing. So, I can get a second mentor to consult to more easily.
- Scientific Computing has more practical use, which lead to make it easier to get research funding, get jobs (research and industrial), etc compared to Theoretical Comp Sci.
- The field is more related to my background in Engineering Physics, and my plan to pursue Ph.D in Mathematics (Applied Math). Mathematical modeling and computing of physical phenomena and system dynamics is at the heart of what I learned in my old days in Engineering Physics. So, it is more like I build up things on top of that foundations and it will be the base for my next studies. Isn't cool that you can be a Mathematician, Computer Scientist, Physicist, Software Engineer, all at once? Smile

Btw, I am not that lucky ones who already has thesis idea before coming into grad school. So, I must find ways to find problems worthy to be solved as thesis. One way is to become Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant. Luckily, I was very honored when my mentor accept me to become her TA, and it will be in Numerical Analysis class in the Department of Mathematics. Yes, Math Dept. Not Comp Sci Dept. Smile. You will find open problems in one area only if you immerse yourself into it. Being a TA is one way to immerse yourself into something. More than TA, I hope I can join research too. So that I can publish as well.

So, my next days will be filled with a lot of reading of Numerical Analysis stuff and Scientific Computing/Computational Math in general. That includes refreshing and brushing up my MATLAB skill, which the last time I used it was about ten years ago. You know, I've been using C# A LOT lately, and some Mathematica for the fun of it. Smile. I hope I can already find a title for my thesis by the end of this semester. So that next semester I can already start the writing and the research. I hope I can finish my master study on time.

But then, it all doesn't mean I don't dig Theoretical Comp Sci anymore. It's just for the thesis for my master degree. I don't know, if God allows me, I may have 30+ years ahead to be active in research/work, which some outputs may fall into the Theoretical Comp Sci category. Who knows...

In the time being, I will start to fuse all my energy and effort in mastering Scientific Computing/Computational Mathematics... and it will start with Numerical Analysis.

So, my loved ones (you know who you are!), I am sorry in advance if I may be a bit distracted in the days to come... (distracted, as I've always been (?)). Smile

Dr. Sri, thanks!

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Ladies & Gents, meet Dr. Sri Nurdiati, my Thesis Mentor
23 March 08 01:32 PM | norman | 1 comment(s)

Got it from Basir, here's some pics of my mentor: http://www.pbase.com/endrayanto/nung

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Filed under:
Math, Love, Loved One, Love Math, Math of Love
18 March 08 10:12 AM | norman | 1 comment(s)

"Do you love your math more than me?"
"Of course not, dear - I love you much more."
"Then prove it!"
"OK... Let R be the set of all lovable objects..."

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After Server Wave 2008 Launch, what's next? Go Parallel!
10 March 08 01:32 AM | norman | 3 comment(s)

Visual Studio 2008, Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008. All have been launched. .NET 3.5, C# 3.0, VB 9.0, LINQ, etc are no more "Cutting Edge". It's all "released" stuff. So, no more excitement for geeks in Microsoft club? Smile As per what I've heard, there will be no more major release until after 2010. So, what is it out there for you cutting edge geeks?

Well, there are some:

  • VSTS "Rosario" - however, maybe not to excting for those whose not using VSTS/TFS.
  • LINQ to Entities - cool stuff. Breakthru approach for Data Mapping. Works with all RDBMS not just SQL Server as its older brother LINQ to SQL. However, you've heard about this LINQ to Entities a lot. It's just a matter of release date now.
  • Silverlight 2.0 - Exciting, for those whose onto the web. For those who love C# but hate JavaScript. But still, it's "only" Silverlight in C#. Smile
  • Astoria
  • Acropolis
  • etc (Please add to this collection)

What I think is the most exciting thing and at the same time the most relevant for ALL developers are... Parallel Computing.

Parallel Computing, not a very new idea. However, this is the time that it will go to the masses. Concepts, library, tools, programming model, etc that were once only approachable to very few developers will now be available to every developers. Microsoft is now working on initiatives to provide a more approachable programming model, library, tools, etc to exploit the new family of multicore processors. So, if you're into cutting edge stuff that will have big impact, go dig these concepts & technologies.

Here are some resources where I think you can start:

My point is, have a look at Parallel Computing as today multicore processors have become the norm. You can only exploit its power if you know how. That is thru Parallel Computing.

Btw, in this second semester of my study at CompSci IPB, I will have a course (class) on Parallel Computing. However, what I'll learn there will be more into the computer sciency stuff. The formal Mathematics of it and all that jazz. Smile But then I believe it will provide me with stronger foundations. So that language, programming model, tools, library/API will be just another JIT learning stuff.

Let's go parallel!

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See you at Server Wave 2008 Grand Launch at JCC
03 March 08 12:19 AM | norman | with no comments

As many of you know, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, Microsoft Indonesia will have the biggest IT Pro & Developers party in its history. It's the Grand Launch of Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. The event will be held at Jakarta Convention Center, starts from 08:30 - 21:00.

I will deliver a talk on Visual Studio 2008 in Developer Track break out session. Here's the schedule for the Developer Track and the speakers.

13:00-13:45 - Breakthrough in Visual Studio 2008
Norman Sasono

14:40 - 15:20 - Application Lifecycle Management with VSTS 2008
Dondy Bappedyanto

16:15-17:00 - Next Web Generation with Visual Studio 2008, IIS 7 & Silverlight
Risman Adnan with Dycode

17:00 - 17:45 - Robotic Programming with Visual Studio Demo
Zeddy Iskandar & Team

We will also have Community Gathering Party at 19:05-20:40

It will be fun and exciting. C u there!

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Orcas Award
03 March 08 12:04 AM | norman | 5 comment(s)

Another Award from Microsoft... Smile

 

Excerpt of the email I just got: 

 

"In recognition of the strong support in Orcas, the DevDiv Community Connection team would like to give a big thank you to everyone who worked hard to make Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 a great release for the Community. For Southeast Asia,  Visual C# MVPs MVP Norman Sasono (Indonesia) and MVP Wen Ching Chua (Malaysia) were nominated and selected for this award as they have presented on Visual Studio 2008 multiple times to their user groups and have a headstart on the platform."
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