Difference between revisions of "languages for learning programming"
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[[computing]]: [[software]]: [[programming]]: [[programming languages|languages]]: [[languages for learning programming|for learning]] | [[computing]]: [[software]]: [[programming]]: [[programming languages|languages]]: [[languages for learning programming|for learning]] | ||
| + | ==Related Pages== | ||
| + | * Flawed as it is, [[BASIC]] remains the classic "language for teaching programming" (especially for kids); several free, full-featured versions are now available (some with source code). | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
There is a need for a programming language and environment that is suitable for teaching beginners – including children – to program. | There is a need for a programming language and environment that is suitable for teaching beginners – including children – to program. | ||
| Line 6: | Line 8: | ||
Some key features: | Some key features: | ||
* (Ideally) Available pre-installed on all popular [[operating systems|OSs]]; next-best would be availability for free on the internet, in versions pre-compiled for all popular OSs | * (Ideally) Available pre-installed on all popular [[operating systems|OSs]]; next-best would be availability for free on the internet, in versions pre-compiled for all popular OSs | ||
| − | * BASIC-like in certain ways: | + | * [[BASIC]]-like in certain ways: |
** must have an "interactive" mode, where you type a line and the computer immediately executes your instructions | ** must have an "interactive" mode, where you type a line and the computer immediately executes your instructions | ||
** must have simple graphics ability readily available (where "readily" can be defined as "you can plot a pixel in a single line of code, where lines which include external libraries count as additional lines of code") | ** must have simple graphics ability readily available (where "readily" can be defined as "you can plot a pixel in a single line of code, where lines which include external libraries count as additional lines of code") | ||
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See also Wikipedia's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_programming_language Educational Programming Languages] page, which has a few more choices than mentioned below. | See also Wikipedia's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educational_programming_language Educational Programming Languages] page, which has a few more choices than mentioned below. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Resources== |
| − | * | + | * [http://www.quitebasic.com/ QuiteBasic]: BASIC on the web; created in response to [[David Brin]]'s "Why Johnny Can't Code" article |
| − | + | * [http://hacketyhack.net/ Hackety Hack]: tutorial aimed at 13 and up, teaches how to write your own [[blog]] software in a handful of minutes | |
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| − | * | ||
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==Languages for Kids== | ==Languages for Kids== | ||
* [http://www.alice.org/ Alice] | * [http://www.alice.org/ Alice] | ||
| + | * [http://kidbasic.sourceforge.net/ BASIC-256] (formerly KidBASIC), also inspired by "Why Johnny Can't Code" | ||
* [http://el.media.mit.edu/Logo-foundation/ Logo] | * [http://el.media.mit.edu/Logo-foundation/ Logo] | ||
** references: [http://www.tedfelix.com/cs4kids/ CS for Kids] | ** references: [http://www.tedfelix.com/cs4kids/ CS for Kids] | ||
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* [http://www.scheme.org/ Scheme] | * [http://www.scheme.org/ Scheme] | ||
** references: [http://www.drscheme.org/ Dr. Scheme] | [http://www.htdp.org/ How to Design Programs] | [http://www.teach-scheme.org/ Teach Scheme Project] | ** references: [http://www.drscheme.org/ Dr. Scheme] | [http://www.htdp.org/ How to Design Programs] | [http://www.teach-scheme.org/ Teach Scheme Project] | ||
| + | * [http://scratch.mit.edu/ Scratch]: animation language. Free downloads for Windows and Mac as of 2008-10-04. | ||
* [http://www.squeak.org/ Squeak Smalltalk] | * [http://www.squeak.org/ Squeak Smalltalk] | ||
** references: [http://www.squeakland.org/ Squeakland] | [http://www.ofset.org/freeduc-cd FreeDuc LiveCD with Squeak] | ** references: [http://www.squeakland.org/ Squeakland] | [http://www.ofset.org/freeduc-cd FreeDuc LiveCD with Squeak] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Links== | ||
| + | * '''2003-10-14''' [http://weblogs.java.net/blog/joshy/archive/2003/10/how_do_kids_pro.html Teaching Kids to Program] by [[Joshua Marin]] | ||
| + | * '''2005-2-20''' [http://pluralsight.com/blogs/dbox/archive/2005/02/20/6009.aspx Teaching My Kids to Program] by [[Don Box]] | ||
| + | ** discussion: [http://lambda-the-ultimate.org/node/543 lambda the ultimate] | ||
| + | * '''2005-2-26''' [http://pluralsight.com/blogs/dbox/archive/2005/02/26/6181.aspx It's Down to Scheme or Logo] by [[Don Box]] | ||
| + | * '''2006-09-14''' [http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2006/09/14/basic/ Why Johnny can't code] by [[David Brin]] | ||
| + | ** discussion: |[http://developers.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/09/14/0320238 slashdot]| |[http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2006/09/see-your-favorite-author-on-salon-and.html#comments Contrary Brin]|: the latter includes a suggestion to use Python in a particular configuration; perhaps this configuration could be preconfigured and packaged? | ||
| + | * '''2002-08-15''' [http://www.bricklin.com/wontprogram.htm Why Johnny can't program] by [[Dan Bricklin]] | ||
| + | * [http://www.shlomifish.org/philosophy/computers/education/introductory-language/ Thoughts about the Best Introductory Language] by Shlomi Fish: list of fallacies, with a final opinion. [[Creative Commons]] license. | ||
| + | * [http://www.ariel.com.au/a/teaching-programming.html A Very Quick Comparison of Popular Languages for Teaching Computer Programming] | ||
| + | * [http://www.kidsprogramminglanguage.com/ Kid's Programming Language]: free, but requires [[Microsoft Windows]] | ||
| + | * [http://phrogram.com/ Phrogram]: free version; also a commercial version that supports add-in libraries, requires [[Microsoft Windows]], same team that created Kid's Programming Language | ||
| + | * [http://www.computerbrains.com/ccs64/ Commodore 64 emulator] (eventually, create [[Commodore 64 emulators]] page and link with [[emulators]]) | ||
Latest revision as of 14:52, 4 October 2008
computing: software: programming: languages: for learning
Related Pages
- Flawed as it is, BASIC remains the classic "language for teaching programming" (especially for kids); several free, full-featured versions are now available (some with source code).
Overview
There is a need for a programming language and environment that is suitable for teaching beginners – including children – to program.
Some key features:
- (Ideally) Available pre-installed on all popular OSs; next-best would be availability for free on the internet, in versions pre-compiled for all popular OSs
- BASIC-like in certain ways:
- must have an "interactive" mode, where you type a line and the computer immediately executes your instructions
- must have simple graphics ability readily available (where "readily" can be defined as "you can plot a pixel in a single line of code, where lines which include external libraries count as additional lines of code")
- simple, non-picky syntax (syntax error messages should be informative and on-target, to reduce the learning curve)
This need has been brought up in different contexts and discussed a fair amount; for now, I'm just going to post some links. --Woozle 21:27, 14 September 2006 (EDT)
See also Wikipedia's Educational Programming Languages page, which has a few more choices than mentioned below.
Resources
- QuiteBasic: BASIC on the web; created in response to David Brin's "Why Johnny Can't Code" article
- Hackety Hack: tutorial aimed at 13 and up, teaches how to write your own blog software in a handful of minutes
Languages for Kids
- Alice
- BASIC-256 (formerly KidBASIC), also inspired by "Why Johnny Can't Code"
- Logo
- references: CS for Kids
- Python
- references: Python for Educators | Python: A Multimedia Approach | Python Bibliography | PyroLiveCD
- Ruby
- Scheme
- references: Dr. Scheme | How to Design Programs | Teach Scheme Project
- Scratch: animation language. Free downloads for Windows and Mac as of 2008-10-04.
- Squeak Smalltalk
- references: Squeakland | FreeDuc LiveCD with Squeak
Links
- 2003-10-14 Teaching Kids to Program by Joshua Marin
- 2005-2-20 Teaching My Kids to Program by Don Box
- discussion: lambda the ultimate
- 2005-2-26 It's Down to Scheme or Logo by Don Box
- 2006-09-14 Why Johnny can't code by David Brin
- discussion: |slashdot| |Contrary Brin|: the latter includes a suggestion to use Python in a particular configuration; perhaps this configuration could be preconfigured and packaged?
- 2002-08-15 Why Johnny can't program by Dan Bricklin
- Thoughts about the Best Introductory Language by Shlomi Fish: list of fallacies, with a final opinion. Creative Commons license.
- A Very Quick Comparison of Popular Languages for Teaching Computer Programming
- Kid's Programming Language: free, but requires Microsoft Windows
- Phrogram: free version; also a commercial version that supports add-in libraries, requires Microsoft Windows, same team that created Kid's Programming Language
- Commodore 64 emulator (eventually, create Commodore 64 emulators page and link with emulators)