I couldn't agree more. I grew up using Pascal and am currently teaching C++ for undergrads; I often realize that some errors done by the students could have bee

I couldn't agree more. I grew up using Pascal and am currently teaching C++ for undergrads; I often realize that some errors done by the students could have been prevented, had they used Pascal. It's not only a matter of clarity in using an asymmetric := for assigning the right side to the left side (the "=" symbol suggests that left and right side play the same role). The biggest problem is rather the fact that it's so common for newbies to write "=" when they want to express equality. (I teach in a physics department, and the mathematical background of my students is extremely solid.)