Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!super.upenn.edu!grasp.cis.upenn.edu!shirono
From: shirono@grasp.cis.upenn.edu (Roberto Shironoshita)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.misc
Subject: Re: First Languages (yet again)
Summary: Use both functional and procedural, but not necessarily in depth.
Message-ID: <3254@super.upenn.edu>
Date: 2 Feb 88 23:57:49 GMT
References: <4022@ames.arpa> <2400002@otter.HP.COM> <932@its63b.ed.ac.uk> <2781@omepd>
Sender: news@super.upenn.edu
Reply-To: shirono@grasp.cis.upenn.edu (Roberto Shironoshita)
Organization: University of Pennsylvania
Lines: 48

In article <2781@omepd> pcm@iwarpo3.UUCP (Phil C. Miller) writes:
> In article <932@its63b.ed.ac.uk> RDI@uk.ac.ed.ecsvax (Rick Innis, CS4) writes:
> >[re: a movement in Edinburgh to use ML as a first language]
>
> [ML only seen in university environment]
>
> [Some text deleted]
> Perhaps a language like C++ or Ada (which are languages in
> widespread use in industry) would be better than a language which
> is, in effect, an experimental language.
> [More text deleted]
>
> >[Functional languages are better than procedural]
>
> Part of the reasoning behind a technical education should be to prepare
> a student for the working experience.  I contend that exposing
> first-year students to a functional programming language does not fit
> that role.

The crucial word here is _technical_.  The question that arises is
whether a particular Computer Science program is preparing students
to go into industry, or whether it is preparing them to go to graduate
school and then to research.  Some programs stress the often-called
"real world," whereas others stress the theory behind CS.  I believe a
well-rounded BSE program should prepare students for both.

Thus, both procedural and functional languages should be introduced in
the first year.  This doesn't mean that students should know all the
ins and outs of either kind of language by their sophomore year; quite
on the contrary, they shouldn't be burdened so.  They should, however,
be able to cope with both kinds.


                                   Roberto Shironoshita

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Disclaimer 1:  The opinions expressed here are my own.  The University
	       need not share them, or even be aware of them.
Disclaimer 2:  Like most humans, I'm bound to err at times.  I believe
	       what I have said, but agree that I may be wrong.

  @@@@@@@@@\         Full Name:    Roberto Shironoshita
   @@     @@         Occupation:   BSE candidate in Computer Science
   @@     @@         Organization: University of Pennsylvania
   @@@@@@@@/
   @@                Network Address:
   @@                    PENNnet:  shirono@eniac.seas
  @@@@                   Internet: shirono@eniac.seas.upenn.edu