Path: utzoo!attcan!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!sun-barr!newstop!sun!regenmeister!chrisp
From: chrisp@regenmeister.uucp (Chris Prael)
Newsgroups: comp.software-eng
Subject: Re: CS education [engineering, mathematics, and computer science]
Message-ID: <34867@regenmeister.uucp>
Date: 29 Nov 89 20:35:31 GMT
References: <2625@fai.UUCP>
Sender: chrisp@regenmeister (Chris Prael)
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Mtn View, CA
Lines: 39

From article <2625@fai.UUCP>, by kurtl@fai.UUCP (Kurt Luoto):

Kurt, your tale is an excellent example of an engineering design
sequence.

> It also shows that
> a formal review procedure can fail (i.e. let a bad design go through)

The issue with reviews is not whether one can or cannot fail.  Of course
it can, as you experienced.  The issue is one of probabilities.  Design
reviews reduce the probability of failed designs, massively.

> if it does not include basics like demonstrating the soundness of an
> algorithm, which is basically mathematics in application.

As the prof used to say about an overly sparse proof (of mine), you have
not demonstrated the connection.  The review is a mathematics
application to about the same extent as an inspection of columns on a
double decker freeway after a quake.

> More than gathering any specific set of techniques or accumulation of
> facts (theorems, etc), proper mathematical training teaches a way of
> thinking, a way of approaching problems.  I also encourages a certain
> kind of skepticism (in a narrow sense), a "show-me" attitude in
> regard to technical statements.

I can agree with this statement, but I would replace "proper" with
"excellent".  However, this is just as true of excellent teaching in
history, physics, or any other discipline you can name.  The major
problem is that the desired degree of excellence (or propriety if you
prefer) is found relatively rarely.

There are a large variety of experiences available outside the academic
environment that are every bit as effective, some more so, in fostering
an appropriate degree of scepticism and an adequate level of
thoroughness.  I found racing sports cars to be at least as instructive
as the process of gaining a math degree.
 
Chris Prael


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