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On 10/01/12 06:11, Simon Waters wrote:
Soon? Nope - maybe after 10 years of work in the right place if they're lucky.On 09/01/12 12:33, Julian Hall wrote:- and unlike when I did A Level, a language actually in use in industry.Isn't that the same mistake as teaching them Microsoft Office because everyone uses it? They should teach in languages that exemplify, and explain the principles of computer science even if no one uses that language in anger. Although I suspect it would be as easy to teach these in extant languages, which would be preferable. I personally suspect, and fervently hope, most of the languages currently widely used will be dead or dying in any sensible timescale, and even if they aren't it won't matter if people understand the principles of proper programming they soon will be after they have graduated to the world of work.
The problem is one of impatience and lack of experience. People should think of a university degree in software as an introduction to the subject. Programming is kind of like the toolkit and unlimited free parts catalogue. Experience is the unlimited set of tried and tested designs. The principles of programming are the principles of everything - just in programming they are more generic. And more 'accurate' - which shows up the flaws in the human logic that designed a system. The languages we have to day are fine - check out what was done with machine code and valve computers. A new computer language does not infer knowledge on the user - learning english does not a Shakespeare make. Someone with a broad level of experience can use a 'bad' language much more usefully than a novice with C++0.The problem is where to find the teachers, since most people I know in the industry have limited understanding of the concepts (myself included), and even many of those who understand the concepts don't adhere to most of them in their day to day work (and frankly it shows in the results).
And remember - a computer language merely turns one language into another.In the end its the 'architect' of the system who makes the greatest impact on the project - it doesn’t matter if you can write ten lines of code that will save the company 10% of its turnover if there's an accountant who takes a cut of that 10% higher up the food chain than you and is effectively 'architect'. Programming can and should be the best thing you can learn - everything you learn in programming can be used in anything rational but better still: you can use it to test anything else you want to think about.
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