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Path: utzoo!utgpu!utcsri!moraes
From: moraes@utcsri.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: first language
Message-ID: <5268@utcsri.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Aug-87 15:40:24 EDT
Article-I.D.: utcsri.5268
Posted: Tue Aug 18 15:40:24 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 19-Aug-87 05:42:46 EDT
References: <405@ndsuvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: moraes@utcsri.UUCP (Mark Moraes)
Distribution: world
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Lines: 25
Keywords: expense availability floppy-disks
Summary: 

In article <405@ndsuvax.UUCP> ncmagel@ndsuvax.UUCP (ken magel) writes:
>     Two factors which are important in the selection of a first programming
>language, but which have not been mentioned previously are:
>  1.  Availability:  .....
>  2.  Low cost:  .....

I agree.

One factor which is invariably forgotten is what I call "floppy-disk
useability". I find it hard to experiment with programs using most
compilers on microcomputers, because these were invariably written with
the underlying assumption "To use this seriously, you must have a hard
disk". Even with a two drive floppy system, you end up swapping
floppies in and out of drives, as you go through the
edit-compile-link-run cycle.

This factor usually results in interpretive languages being a better
choice (Forth, Logo, yes even Basic) for a first programming language -
Djikstra's comments notwithstanding. But there are a few integrated
compiler environments that are excellent too - notably Turbo Pascal.

It is worth keeping this factor in mind during debates on which
programming language is best for XXX purposes.

Mark. (moraes@csri.toronto.edu)