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Your first sentence made me a bit sad but the rest of your post changed my mind. All good points, and it looks like the move to Python was the right thing to do
by zak_mc_kracken 12y ago
Your first sentence made me a bit sad but the rest of your post changed my mind. All good points, and it looks like the move to Python was the right thing to do.
It's important to remember we're talking about an introduction, here. Creating the spark of interest in students is the most important point in this class. There's always time after this to move them toward more expressive languages.
- sitkack 12y agoWhat is wrong with Monash? ;) Python can be circuit bent into any semantic you desire, so I think it is a great introductory language. I haven't taught an introductory Python course in years, but with Ipython Notebook I think it would be a blast.
- entrode 12y agoZero-indexed first sentence, I'm guessing.
- malokai 12y agoThat's a weird sentiment to hold, that less expressive languages should be used to spark interest. If I were learning a first programming language again, I would want to learn a language that let me get going as quickly as possible. It takes a lot more to build something in C than in Python and Python can much more quickly prove to a person learning their first language that programming is worthwhile.
- asveikau 12y ago> That's a weird sentiment to hold, that less expressive languages should be used to spark interest. Maybe you felt you had to jump in and defend high level languages, and maybe slash the other guy's tires on the way out, but this reads as trollish. Plenty of people working in C find it plenty expressive. Is it "more" or "less" expressive to choose to express different things? I don't think so. This comes off as uninformed C bashing, sadly very common and accepted around here. The rest of your comment, that it is good for learning or as a first language, makes more sense to me.