I memorized huge chunks of Python's documentation

[beau2am]

Edit: Link to the journal I eventually made

Beau's Journal: Cyber Mnemonics. Syntax, Structure, and stuff

Has anyone else memorized technical or programming information?

I’m very curious to share my experiences with anyone who has experiences and ideas to share as well.

Over the past 7 weeks, I spent about 4 weeks memorizing core Python documentation, and for the past 3 weeks been memorizing information (both conceptual as well as command syntax) in preparation for taking a CCNA exam. On the practice exams for the PCAP (python associates cert), I pass with high marks rather easily and quickly. CCNA is somewhat more comprehensive, but I did study it some 15 years ago, so it’s not brand new material but is taking me more time for sure.

I’m pleased to discover that I was able to learn/memorize binary/hexadecimal/decimal conversion and subnetting in a single day this time through, thanks to various mnemonic techniques. Took me weeks fifteen years ago.

I have personal goals and interests motivating me on my journey, which means I’ve begun memorizing an Algebra 2 textbook (to brush up in preparation for a Probability and Statistics book), and am also memorizing maths related to cryptography. And I expect I’ll be expanding into microbiology, parasitology, and history related to both cybersecurity and encryption topics. I’m also working on machine learning (using the FastAI course which is well reputed and pretty dang good so far).

Anyhoo, I’ve been playing with mnemonic techniques for years, and only recently decided to dive in hard to a certain domain of knowledge. I also use memory techniques to memorize a martial arts I’ve been attending for two years, brazillian portuguese, and even monologues in scripts…

I’d love to share ideas and techniques with anyone else who has explored jargon filled mnemonic journeys like programming or networking or data science, etc.

Anyone else have experience in these areas? I feel pretty good about my progress, and am very interested in sharing and exploring ideas to take my mnemonic research even further.

Regards,
Beau

[Ducktistic]

Sounds like you got quite a grip on things!

I’d be very interested to learn what techniques, and concretely how you used them, to aid in learning martial arts and the scientific material, including the python!

[beau2am]

I may start a journal on here.

That doesn’t seem as daunting as breaking down all the techniques I’ve been using over multiple domains in one forum post.

One of my favorite strategies is to take walks around the little town I live in and assign information to different areas. Method of Loci, more or less, but I keep encoding more and more as time goes on, so the scenes and town becomes richer and more and more detailed as time (and my walks) go on.

The whole skeleton structure of the Python Programming Standard Library Reference is on a stroll into and around the town center and courthouse and such, with each area becoming a more granular level of detail from the documentation.

Plus it gets me out and walking around which I love.

[beau2am]

I’m putting a pin in this, because I want to give a thoughtful answer. And I have thoughts, but I’m not sure they’ve all been thought through.

The question: “How much could it help?” is pretty much what I set out to find out.

I’m fairly certain the TLDR will be:
I like the benefits so far. #noregrets

[joereddington]

I’d be interested to see some examples of both the maths related to Cybersecurity and the command syntax. (I initially thought you wrote ‘python syntax’ which I would have been particularly interested in)

[gh0ghnu3]

hi, could you elaborate more on how you memorized Networking-related subjects in detail. for example, how you would learn about different protocols. Are you designing your palaces based on different protocols like a palace for CDP, another of STP , so on and so forth or you designed your palace based on the CCNA Certification book.
Thanks again!

[beau2am]

I’m still early in developing mnemonics for cybersecurity and encryption maths.

But Python syntax I’ve got lots of.

Like The Cauldron, for instance.

A Beau original
The Cauldron is my mnemonic for the parenthesis that comes after a method or function or callable object.

What “goes in” the cauldron?

Why, the ingredients of course! Parameters and Arguments!

The method or function can often be a metaphorical “spell” or “recipe” (logically speaking when I’m creating scenes).

I’m figuring out a journaling system that would work for me so I can document more details like this.

[beau2am]

Solid questions. I often use multiple palaces and multiple techniques to memorize more complicated topics.

DHCP and Bootstrap Protocol for instance are located at a particular church I walk by. I have DHCP along a section of town devoted to Host-toHost/Transport layer applications (Telnet, SSH, Ftp, Tftp, etc).

I have a number of details about DHCP memorized outside the church (I haven’t been in it). Like the protocol for a DHCP client to request an ip address from a DHCP server. Those four steps end up revolving around some masked up terrorists sitting at a fancy table outside trying to get their server’s attention. Their server happens to be Shaquille O’Neil (my mnemonic for 67, hence Port 67). There are a sequence of things that happen (four to be precise) between the table and Shaq.

Hence how I’m able to recall the process begins with the client sending both a layer 2 and layer 3 broadcast out to find a DHCP server to request the address, and subsequent steps.

I regularly “flip” to different areas of my memory palaces for reference when I’m trying to understand how things work. DHCP is not ONLY at the church, but that’s sort of the main base for the Dynamite Hostage Configuration Party (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

[Seinfield]

This post came in the right time, I just started preparing for CCNA and I would appreciate if you shared with us all the tricks that can be used in such test, worth noting that I am just a newbie in mnemonics if that helps.

[pnf408 (Paulus N F)]

I’d like to understand What you’re memorizing, before moving on to How.

In particular, are you memorizing the use of APIs? So much of python’s power is in the extensive libraries (APIs) available. Users of python typically keep looking up the documentation of these libraries. Are you memorizing those?

[beau2am]

Yes, @pnf408 .

Largely the Python Standard Library Reference, but not exclusively that.

[joereddington]

@pnf408

Users of python typically keep looking up the documentation of these libraries.

Honestly, I think we’re mostly constantly looking up the same eleven SE posts that we always forget. There was a cute social media meme about it a while back with a lot of “I wrote the image systems for the Curiosity Rover and I can never remember the syntax for list comprehension”.

[beau2am]

Frankly, I’d only been “programming” with Python for about 4 months (my first programming language that wasn’t html in the late 90s).
Though I’m not new to networking.

And, obviously, I found myself looking things up left and right… and the thought kept creeping around in my head, “…what if i only had to look this up once?”

Now, among other things, I know all the syntax and all signature variations for the built in 70 functions… now I “look things up” while I drive across Texas (i do it a lot unfortunately).
No screen required!

[beau2am]

another helpful benefit that has occurred while memorizing Python Documentation is I can “visualize” syntax and code much easier. I can also listen to people talking about code and follow along well without needing to use my eyes and see it myself, and, when i have an idea for a program to build, I see if I already have the tools up in the ol noggin. If not, I can make a choice to correct that.

[MagicallyDelicious]

PLEASE make a journal. I NEED to know how you memorized Python. WE need to know. It’s for the greater good!!

Memory Training Journals

@beau2am

[beau2am]

TLDR;
Even tho I dig the idea, I probably won’t journal much anytime soon.
So,
Question for the forum: Any folks wanna do a zoom-like chitchat about computer science mnemonics sometime?

---

Longer version:

I’ll be frank (and you be whoever you want), I’m notoriously flaky with documenting my own processes.

Not that I don’t do it. I have, and I think I’m pretty solid at it, however therein lie the ancient ruins of a perfectionist.

I enjoy breaking things down and figuring things out and such, but if I have to do it looking at a screen and typing with my fingers, I’m… more or less just inclined to do other things. Like go for a walk. Or read a book. Or converse. Or smoke my tobacco pipe and stare peacefully at the wall.

Would anyone be interested in me scheduling a google meet/zoom/jitsi type call and whoever joins , we’ll drink coffee, chit chat, pick apart, and explore ideas on memorizing computer science topics like Python syntax, networking, etc?

(for instance, I do quick binary (and hex) calculations on my fingers by linking them with a memory palace i’ve made)

Your other option is probably just waiting until… you know, me getting around to it.

Thoughts?

[cedar]

Hi,

What time zone are you in?

[beau2am]

I’m in Texas, but that won’t matter.

We’ll just pick a time that works for most folks.

I’m flexible.

2024-02-01T06:00:00Z

It’s easy enough to just pick a time and have it translated to proper timezones using the calendar link thing in the forum

[Changed_One]

I’m new to memory techniques. I just saw this post and I can’t express how amazed I am! It’s incredible to see people utilizing memory techniques in 2024.

Could you please guide me on how I can practice these techniques? I’m not in the programming field; my work involves law and auditing, both theory-based subjects.

[cedar]

Love this video of a guy putting documentation to song:

Sweet Filepath O' Mine

(It’s golang, but still…)