Chapter 64 Information Lv1, Acquired Trait [Algorithm Internalization]

"The Introduction to Computation course in our School of Mathematical Sciences will not only open the door to the world of programming for you, but also serve as a practical tool for solving mathematical problems in the future."

"I hope you all study it earnestly."

"Today's lecture will primarily cover theoretical knowledge, and next time we will hold a practical session in the computer lab of the Arts and Humanities Building."

...

Inside the tiered lecture hall of the Science Teaching Building, an instructor from the Computing Center stood at the podium, explaining computers.

Seated below were the incoming freshmen of the School of Mathematical Sciences.

Aside from compulsory mathematics courses, other general compulsory courses did not distinguish between advanced classes and regular classes.

At this moment, Xu Ming, sitting in the middle rows, had his attention completely focused on the textbook titled *C Programming Design* spread out before him.

Starting from the preliminary composition and format, he intently reviewed the material downward.

As time ticked away minute by minute, his experience points in the information discipline increased, welcoming a leveling-up.

---

[Through diligent study, your [Information] proficiency has improved, granting 4 experience points.]

[Through diligent study, your [Information] level has increased to Lv1.]

[You have acquired the trait — [Algorithm Internalization].]

[Trait: Algorithm Internalization]

[Effect: When studying programming algorithms, you can quickly comprehend code logic, master the essence of algorithms, and apply them with flexibility.]

"To think it reached level 1 proficiency so quickly."

Xu Ming stopped reading, caught sight of the new prompt on his interface, and felt a secret surge of joy.

Whether it was the bonus from studying mathematics or the residual computer language knowledge he retained, he had successfully acquired a brand-new trait after reviewing for just under a single major class period.

Furthermore, according to the description of the trait's effects, his efficiency in studying programming algorithms hereafter should improve significantly.

This was definitely good news.

Just as the teacher had mentioned before class, computer language programming was a practical tool for handling mathematical problems.

It was an extension of mathematical logic.

It allowed mathematicians to verify grander conjectures, explore the mysteries of the mathematical universe in entirely new ways, and was a discipline that applied mathematics must master.

The two complemented each other.

To put it without exaggeration, mastering programming algorithms was equivalent to equipping mathematics with a multi-functional sports car.

It could drive further into the territories of mathematics.

His mind spinning rapidly, he snapped back to awareness and, seeing there was still time before the end of the class, immediately immersed himself once again in the textbook on his desk.

In the blink of an eye.

The afternoon physical education class was more than half over, and after the teacher announced dismissal, everyone's objective was surprisingly unanimous.

They collectively rushed toward the study room.

"Our study group agreed to work on our problem sets, so we'll head over first," Jiang Xu said as he walked out of the playground, offering a proactive greeting.

Hearing this, Ni Mingjie said with a bitter expression, "Everyone is in the same boat."

Over the past two days, after attending Mathematical Analysis and Higher Algebra classes, this week's problem sets had already been distributed. Each subject had around ten proof-based problems, and the time required to solve them was nothing short of terrifying.

Coupled with the Analytic Geometry class the day after tomorrow, the workload would increase quite a bit.

To avoid pulling an all-nighter over the weekend to finish the homework, they had no choice but to carve out time during weekdays to toil away in the study rooms or discussion rooms.

Xu Ming knew that Jiang Xu and the others had all joined study groups, so he wasn't surprised by their participation in group activities. It could only be said that the fulfilling academic life of School of Mathematical Sciences students—marked by the weekly life-and-death race against deadlines—was only just beginning.

"Mainly because I don't want to get points deducted or fail the midterms," Jiang Xu took up the conversation, spreading his hands with a helpless expression.

At this moment, Zhu Zhixuan cast his gaze toward Xu Ming.

The next second, he asked, "Xu Ming, what are your plans for the evening?"

"I'm going to the library to continue translating the paper," Xu Ming replied directly and affirmatively without hesitation.

To others, the problem sets were undoubtedly the Gates of Hell, but for him, tackling them was a matter of course.

Coincidentally, there was a problem-solving session tomorrow, and he could finish all of them right during class.

Seizing the time now to finalize the paper and begin studying Real Analysis and Complex Analysis was the real priority. Besides, having reviewed C Programming Design that morning, he also wanted to practice and experience it firsthand on his own laptop.

Jiang Xu and the others naturally had no worries about Xu Ming's homework. They parted ways successively to busy themselves with their respective study plans.

...

"Good thing it's not peak hours right now."

Xu Ming arrived at the library, walked around until he found an empty seat, and sat down. He pulled out his laptop, plugged in the power cord, and sighed inwardly.

At Yenching University's library, apart from the electronic reading room and research cubicles—which required on-site registration or telephone reservations—the ordinary study areas still practiced the first-come, first-served rule of grabbing seats on-site.

With freshmen officially starting classes this week, the number of students inside the library had surged dramatically.

In the mornings, one could often see long queues winding outside the entrance.

However, given the time he woke up every day, grabbing a seat didn't take much effort.

Soon, the computer booted up, and he located the pre-installed Turbo C development environment.

He prepared to engage in hands-on programming practice.

"Let's just write a simple Fibonacci sequence calculation program first."

Muttering softly to himself, his hands flew across the keyboard, typing line after line of code using the iterative method.

Completely different from before, facing this code now, he felt zero sense of unfamiliarity, as if he were reading an essay or an English comprehension passage. Especially when debugging boundary conditions in the editor, there was not a single error. In the end, he completed the final programming in just a few minutes.

He successfully output the first thirty Fibonacci numbers, verifying the golden ratio.

During this process, he also newly acquired experience points in the information discipline.

[Through diligent study, your [Mathematics] proficiency has improved, granting 2 experience points.]

[Information: Lv1 (35/500)]

"Studying just one book on C language design is still too little; I need to borrow more information science textbooks later."

Xu Ming stopped what he was doing, checked his information discipline experience points, and made slight adjustments to his upcoming plans.

For the remainder of the time, he reopened the paper and continued translating, striving to finish it as soon as possible and hand it over to Professor Zhang Luping for revisions.

The first Mathematical Analysis problem-solving class for the School of Mathematical Sciences freshmen was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon and lasted for two periods.

It mainly focused on explaining classic problem types, dissecting difficult homework problems, and specially reinforcing problem-solving skills and strategies.

Under normal circumstances, problem-solving classes were generally handled by doctoral teaching assistants; however, when the instructor arrived at the classroom, he discovered it was an old acquaintance.

"Homework and problem-solving classes are the core of undergraduate training. Both their intensity and challenge rank highest among mathematics departments nationwide; they are an extension and deepening of classroom lectures."

"You will gradually come to appreciate and enjoy them in the future."

Liu Xinjie stood at the podium, speaking eloquently and without any stage fright, clearly not in charge of a Mathematical Analysis problem-solving class for the first time.

When Xu Ming saw the figure of Senior Brother Liu, he was slightly stunned and surprised, but upon second thought, realizing that as Professor Zhang Luping's prized pupil, the other party was fully qualified to serve as a teaching assistant for the problem-solving class even though he had not yet become a mathematics PhD.

And what Xu Ming didn't notice was that Lu Mingzhe was quite joyous at that moment. The instant Liu Xinjie walked into the classroom, he took advantage of his seating position to proactively stand up and call out "Senior Brother."

During the summer camp intensive training, the number of times he interacted with Liu Xinjie was far higher than seeing Professor Zhang Luping.

Their relationship could be considered quite good.

With such an acquaintance acting as the problem-solving class teaching assistant, it would be much more convenient if he needed to ask questions.

This would help rapidly elevate his own proficiency, so that during the midterm examinations, he could secure outstanding grades and prove that the gold content of his mathematics competition student status was something ordinary gaokao top scorers simply could not compare to.