From: utzoo!watmath!jcwinterton
Newsgroups: net.followup
Title: Re: "Problem-Solving" Courses - (nf)
Article-I.D.: watmath.3932
Posted: Wed Nov 24 18:10:21 1982
Received: Thu Nov 25 01:10:49 1982
References: rocheste.190

	In fact, it is doubtful that anyone can understand a computer
application of any magnitude to consider that the algorithms written really
"solve" the problem.  However, I believe that it most certainly is useful
to teach a course or courses in computer applications such as the ones Doug
Dyment will be giving here at U of W.  It is really a shame that "Computer
Science" students and graduates often find out that while they know a lot
about computers, that they don't know much about the bread and butter applic-
ations such as Tariff Routing, General Accounting, Inventory Control,
Manufacturing, etc.  One of the most frustrating things that happens to
installation managers is that the "excellently qualified" candidate for a job
with a degree such as B. Math. with the CS options disdains the workaday
languages such as PL/1, COBOL and FORTRAN and doesn't even understand the
problem you want him to solve.  More power to you, Doug!
		John Winterton.