Re: [TCLUG:13004] AP Comp. Sci.

["Eric M. Hopper" <hopper@omnifarious.mn.org>]

On Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 08:07:46AM -0600, Ben Kochie wrote:
> LOL, I know another teacher at a tech school that comes on IRC just to
> discuss linux, and more ways to tourcher his electronics class students.
> 
> as far as teaching CS to students.. I was in the honors CS classes
> up at UMD (when there still was such a thing) and we used scheme for
> our first language.  not the most usefull thing in the world, but it
> was great for teaching.  tim.. you have mentioned python before, and
> I think that's another good one.. things like C++ can be a little
> too platform specific for students.. and teaching platforms isn't a
> good idea, even if it is on linux.  CS students should be taught a
> language that has no platform.. instead of teaching C++, teach java.

	What?!?

	When there's no realy decent Java VM for Linux, and tons of
decent ones for Windows?  When there may not be any for OS/2 anymore?
When you can't really run Java on a Palm Pilot?  I can't believe you
said that!

	Now, I agree that Java is probably a better teaching tool than
C++, but it's cross-platformness isn't the reason.  You can write
perfectly OK C++ programs that should run just about anywhere that has a
C++ compiler these days.  I've had lots of practice.  :-)

	If you're talking about GUI programs, yeah, Java is the best
you're going to get from a cross-platform standpoint.  That is, unless
you're willing to contort your program to fit into Javascript and HTML.

	I can't believe the amount of C++ FUD in the Linux community.
And I can't imagine why it's there.  Every time I mention C++ on
Slashdot I get about 5-10 flamers telling what an idiot I am for even
mentioning the language.  It's ridiculous.

*sigh*,
-- 
Its name is Public Opinion.  It is held in reverence. It settles everything.
Some think it is the voice of God.  Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet
broke a chain or freed a human soul.     ---Mark Twain
-- Eric Hopper (hopper@omnifarious.mn.org  http://omnifarious.mn.org/~hopper) --

PGP signature