Re: simulation +- theory

[Ludwik Kowalski <KowalskiL@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

"John S. Denker" wrote:

> ... The important output was the program itself!  The
> program constituted a statement of the fundamental physics,
> stated in a language more universal and much less ambiguous
> than English, namely the computer language.

Unfortunately, that language but itself is not appropriate
for teaching new concepts and relations. We are addicted to
traditional (verbal and mathematical) means of thinking,
learning and memorizing. An industrial strength program
is often too long and too opaque, even to those who created
it. But programming is a great tool for solving problems.
Teaching how to program (rather than how to use programs
written by others) should be part of early education of future
scientists and engineers.
Ludwik Kowalski