[tlug] Learning to Program

[Curt Sampson <cjs@example.com>]

On Thu, 2 Aug 2007, tlug@example.com wrote:

> The challenge is determining a program that would have this
> property but is not too difficult for a beginner.  Here are various ideas:
>
> * Graphics: Learn how to write programs that output POV-Ray code.

Recalling my early-teen programming days, this seems to me at first
blush rather on the difficult side for a rank beginner.

> * Algebra: If your son likes math, he may enjoy learning how to program what
> he learns at school.  While it would not be beneficial to use it to solve
> homework problems....

I think it would be absolutely beneficial to use it to solve homework
problems! If you can write a program to solve the algebraic equations in
your homework, I'd say that you have a depth of understanding far beyond
what your homework is designed to teach you, and you'd be wasting your
time to do it by hand.

> Python has a nice interactive shell that makes it really easy to play
> around with ideas.

BTW, Ruby does, too (irb). My language suggestion would be to go with
something that someone who can help the child out knows best.

> _The Little Schemer_ is pretty fun and is a great introduction to
> (functional) programming! I do not think it is a book for every
> eleven-year-old, though....

Why not? The things I thought would make it good were the very
small chunks in Q&A format, which I'd think would help reduce the
frustration level considerably, the fantastic illustrations, and the
lightheartedness of the whole thing. ("This space reserved for...jelly
stains!")

> If he is interested in this, I would highly recommend using Dr.
> Scheme, which has an interactive shell as well as various modes for
> people at different levels of ability: http://www.drscheme.org/

Yes, definitely. The ability to step through evaluation of expressions
is priceless.

> Scheme is great for learning functional programming.

Actually, I didn't recommend _The Little Schemer_ because it teaches
functional programming. I'd say it doesn't, really; it doesn't even
touch on one of the most basic elements of functional programming,
higher-order functions.

Basically, what it covers is functions, data structures, and recursion.
And these basic concepts are common to almost any language. Were I going
to teach OO programming to someone who'd never programmed before, I'd
probably start with _The Little Schemer_ or something similar anyway,
because understanding these basic building blocks of calculation is more
basic than understanding something like OO, which is really a method of
program organization.

That said, I'd certainly have no objection to Smalltalk as a starting
language, if there were a similar book for it.

cjs
--
Curt Sampson       <cjs@example.com>        +81 90 7737 2974
Mobile sites and software consulting: http://www.starling-software.com