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Hey, I'm 19 CS undergrad but i don't really know what to do but I really wanna build something that can shape the world. Can you tell me more about why you woul

• gensym 25d ago
  Not the original commenter, but in my view as a crusty old software engineer, the reason to learn how transistors is because they're interesting and the key to how all computation is implemented. Once you learn how transistors work, you can learn how logic gates work. And then how CPUs and memory work. Bit by bit, computers stop being magic boxes and start being something built from technologies you understand. Now, for most software careers (including my own), that knowledge isn't directly practical. BUT, the most important things for a successful, fulfilling career are curiosity and a willingness to dive into subjects _without_ necessarily knowing how (or even if) that knowledge will yield practical applications. That drive is what's going to lead to insights and breakthroughs over your career that wouldn't happen if you just let abstractions be abstractions.
  • kingofalldevs 25d ago
    Thank you
    • markb139 25d ago
      Agree. Transistors really are worth learning about to any level - its certainly possible to get lost in the physics. I’d find some high level tutorials online that maybe use one of the free circuit simulator tools. falstad.com/circuit/ Nice animation on this site If you are really curious there are many simple circuits you can build. It’s quite a thrill to get an LED to blink with a self built circuit. I’m also a crusty old sw eng. I did spend sometime being a young electronics engineer. Good luck with the journey.