John Matthews wrote: > --- In [email protected], "John Matthews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> --- In [email protected], "John Matthews" <jm5678@> wrote: >>> --- In [email protected], Thomas Hruska <thruska@> wrote: >>>> But who uses Pascal any more? >>>> (With the sole exception of the InnoSetup installer, >>>> Pascal is pretty much a dead language). >>> And Delphi? >>> http://www.codegear.com/products/delphi/win32 >> ...although on the 'Overview' page they call it 'the Delphi language', >> and Pascal isn't mentioned at all. On the 'Reasons to Buy' page they >> call it 'the Object Pascal-based Delphi language'. > > Also, I was sitting next to a (UK) college lecturer on the train the > other day, and she said they still teach students Pascal to get them > started in programming. > > You could argue they should teach something the students are more > likely to use in their jobs, but perhaps they feel Pascal is better > for getting concepts across. I must admit I was surprised. > > (This was only one college - I don't know how many others take this > approach.)
Actually, that is pretty common. I don't see any particular differences between C and Pascal that would make Pascal "ideal" for learning. Basically, such thinking is leftover from days of yore. If you want to simply teach the basics of programming (if-then-else, for loops, displaying information, doing lightweight data processing, etc.) without all the issues of a compiled language, then start with PHP. Preferably the latest PHP 5.x (since PHP 4 is on its last legs and only with PHP 5 did it actually begin to look and behave like a real programming language). At the very least, it would be relevant for a resume. -- Thomas Hruska CubicleSoft President Ph: 517-803-4197 *NEW* MyTaskFocus 1.1 Get on task. Stay on task. http://www.CubicleSoft.com/MyTaskFocus/
