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From: ciriello@lafcol.UUCP (Patrick Ciriello II)
Newsgroups: comp.edu,comp.lang.pascal
Subject: Re: CS-1
Summary: I agree .....
Keywords: beginning computer science course
Message-ID: <1085@lafcol.UUCP>
Date: 8 May 89 13:55:15 GMT
References: <2130@iitmax.IIT.EDU> <2394@brahma.cs.hw.ac.uk> <206@psgdc>
Organization: NET Manager, Lafayette College
Lines: 28

In article <206@psgdc>, rg@psgdc (Dick Gill) writes:
> In article <2394@brahma.cs.hw.ac.uk> nick@cs.hw.ac.uk (Nick Taylor) writes:
> >In article <2130@iitmax.IIT.EDU> thssccb@iitmax.IIT.EDU (catherine c bareiss) writes:
> >>I am designing a beginning programming course.
> >> [ stuff deleted ]
 
> I started programming in the 60's when it was a good deal more
> *art* than *science* !:-) and have a couple of thoughts on
> the topic.  

I consider programming more of an art than a science myself.
I compare writning a large system to the writing of a symphony.

> It is important that the begining programmer understand  that
> the first step in writing software is to structure a clear and
> logical solution to the problem begin solved.
>  [stuff deleted]

Absolutely.  Understanding the way to approach a problem and solve it is
much more important that learning the syntax of a particular language.

Perhaps that is where CSCI course need to be bolstered up.  More problem
solving and less 'programming'.

Of course, you need both, but I wonder where the emphasis should really
be?

Pat ( the DRAGON that is WHITE )