A Very Quick Comparison of Popular Languages for Teaching Computer Programming

Post by nivertech » Sat, Mar 10, 2012, 9:04 PM UTC

    -module(abc).
    -export([main/0]).
    main() ->
        {ok,[A]} = io:fread("A=?","~f"),
        {ok,[B]} = io:fread("B=?","~f"),
        C = A + B,
        io:format("C=~f~n",[C]).

    -module(abc).
    -export([main/0]).
    main() ->
        {ok,[A,B]} = io:fread("A,B? ","~f ~f"),
        C = A + B,
        io:format("C=~f~n",[C]).

    c(abc).
    abc:main().

    {ok,[A]} = io:fread("A=?","~f").
    {ok,[B]} = io:fread("B=?","~f").
    C = A + B.
    io:format("C=~f~n",[C]).

Post by nivertech » Sat, Mar 10, 2012, 9:16 PM UTC

cheatercheater wrote: post #11

Androsynth wrote: post #9

I used to think: C is a horrible language for beginners, they should learn python due to its simplicity. This will allow them to learn about control structures and program flow in a simple and easy to read environment . But the more I think about it, the more I like C. It gives you the best understanding of what computations are actually being done by your processor; the mental exercises involved with fulling underst…

> But the more I think about it, the more I like C. It gives you the best understanding of what computations are actually being done by your processor Yes, because C is exactly how computers work inside! SO CLOSE TO THE METAL > the mental exercises involved with fulling understanding pointers is valuable at the collegiate level I have learnt about mappings in mathematics in kindergarten. Literally. Then in university…

Post by Androsynth » Sat, Mar 10, 2012, 9:48 PM UTC

cheatercheater wrote: post #11

Androsynth wrote: post #9

I used to think: C is a horrible language for beginners, they should learn python due to its simplicity. This will allow them to learn about control structures and program flow in a simple and easy to read environment . But the more I think about it, the more I like C. It gives you the best understanding of what computations are actually being done by your processor; the mental exercises involved with fulling underst…

> But the more I think about it, the more I like C. It gives you the best understanding of what computations are actually being done by your processor Yes, because C is exactly how computers work inside! SO CLOSE TO THE METAL > the mental exercises involved with fulling understanding pointers is valuable at the collegiate level I have learnt about mappings in mathematics in kindergarten. Literally. Then in university…

Post by Androsynth » Sat, Mar 10, 2012, 10:01 PM UTC

ufo wrote: post #12

Androsynth wrote: post #9

I used to think: C is a horrible language for beginners, they should learn python due to its simplicity. This will allow them to learn about control structures and program flow in a simple and easy to read environment . But the more I think about it, the more I like C. It gives you the best understanding of what computations are actually being done by your processor; the mental exercises involved with fulling underst…

But do we really need to submit beginners to things like segmentation faults, arrays without bound checks and the lack of a reasonable string datatype? There is no reason to use C as a first language when you can just as well teach all the basic ideas in a more friendly environment and then go through all of K&R in 2 weeks or so.

Post by graeme » Sat, Mar 10, 2012, 10:30 PM UTC

Androsynth wrote: post #28

ufo wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But do we really need to submit beginners to things like segmentation faults, arrays without bound checks and the lack of a reasonable string datatype? There is no reason to use C as a first language when you can just as well teach all the basic ideas in a more friendly environment and then go through all of K&R in 2 weeks or so.

The problem with OOP is that its really not something that should be taught to people who are first learning to program. It is extra complexity and doesn't add any value for beginners. That is my problem with Python. C has its disadvantages, but you get: 1-a simple syntax 2-good mental exercises in learning, implementing and debugging pointer based data structures 3-a good idea of what is happening at the processor l…