Re: Pascal or C as a first lang

[pacbell.com!att-out!cbnewsh!cbnewse!cbnewsd!cbnewsc!cbfsb!cbnews!cbnewst! cbnewsm!cbnewsl!willett@decwrl.dec.com (david.c.willett)]

>From article <1993Sep10.005836.27727@seas.gwu.edu>, by mfeldman@seas.gwu.edu (
Michael Feldman):
> Please take discussion of this to comp.edu.
> 
> Mike Feldman
	{Mike's .sig deleted}

Why?  The pedagogical componenent of this debate is probably more appropriate
there, but I see a larger issue.  That being: Which development paradigm is
more universially appropriate?  We have the Ada/Pascal paradigm or the C
paradigm.  I think it would be productive to characterize both paradigms
and develop the application universe for each.  I believe that discussion
belongs in this group as we seem to return to it frequently.

	It comes disguised as a language war "C/C++ vs. Ada because...",
or as a "C has <semantic_construct> while Ada doesn't..." and several other
forms.  I don't recall seeing any discussions of the form:

	Here is a specification of system requirements.  Design, implement, 
	and maintain a solution for this specification using C++, C, Ada, 
	and Pascal.  Compare/contrast the implementation and the maintenance.

Perhaps such a discussion cannot occur here.  Nonetheless, the exercise 
would, in my view, be useful for all; Ada proponents and detractors alike.

Note:
	The two paradigms are not language specific, but rather are 
	tied to the design philosophies underlying the languages.
	Understanding the paradigms requires appreciating those
	philosophies.


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Dave Willett          AT&T Federal Systems Advanced Technologies

The biggest mistake you can make is to believe that you work for someone else.
			
			-- Anonymous