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Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 07:26:59 -0700
Reply-to: phys-l@mailer.uwf.edu
From: Larry Smith <Larry.Smith@SNOW.EDU>
To: phys-l@atlantis.UWF.EDU
Subject: Re: Simulations
At 10:33 PM -0400 1/13/98, LUDWIK KOWALSKI wrote:any programmiing language someone finds useful,
In this particular case, Larry, the situation is not in
the lack of an agreement. Most science teachers would
agree that having one common simple language would be
desirable.
I'm not sure I'm one of them (and I teach Gen-Ed
Intro-type Computer Science classes on occasion).
Would most humanities and social science teachers agree
that having one common simple language would be desirable?
If so, would it be the same one the science teachers
want? In other words, is one language ideally suited for
all applications (even if we limit the discussion to
undergrad students)?
How about this for an argument (for the sake of
argument)?: If one simple computer language were clearly
superior to all the rest, natural selection would dictate
that over time it _would_ become the dominant language.
It would just happen. Good argument, huh?
Counter argument: clearly the dominant desktop operating
system is not anywhere near the best.
So, on the other hand, I'm _not_ sure I'm _not_ one of
them. :-)
But I worry. Doesn't standardization (in all arenas)
stifle innovation? What if we all settle on one great
language and teach it to all our students for 7 years and
then a _better_ one comes along?
Larry
I certainly don't want to prohibit the use of