Re: Required common programming language

["Paul Camp" <pjcamp@coastal.edu>]

John Stasko, at Georgia Tech, has done a great deal of work in the 
area of using computer animations to illustrate visually (and almost 
kinesthetically) how alogorithms work. Since algorithms are central 
to the *thinking* aspects of computer programming (as opposed to the 
frustrating syntax and debugging aspects) I would vote for something 
like that instead of an actual language, or maybe just postpone the 
language for a while. Constructing step by step algorithms and 
testing them with an easily constructed animation, or viewing an 
animation and working backward to figure out what the algorithm is 
and what problem it is intended to solve, seem to mee much more 
valuable initial steps that learning about loops and branches.

> There is a style of sequential thinking or problem solving, along with
> creativity, that makes the top notch programmer: one who intuitively
> understands how to draw the most from the machine, from the compiler, and how
> to allow for extensive modifications down the road.  The language is truly
> immaterial, as long as it is structured.  Once you have this type of thinking,
> you can pick up any language quickly and be very proficient.

> --
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Paul J. Camp                   "The Beauty of the Universe
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Coastal Carolina University     in variety but also of 
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