>The models that raw beginners start with stay with
>them for a long time (true in any subject).
This is experientially false for me, so I must be an
outlier. When I'm a raw beginner, the models I start
with are fuzzy, and learning is the process of filling
in those fuzzy areas. For example, it took me ages
to understand the string model in JavaScript (because
most of the people writing about that language do not
understand it), but all along that process I knew that
there was something I didn't understand. Or, in learning
B, it took me ages to understand macros merely because
the language documentation insisted on calling them
"manifest constants", but I was always aware whether or
not that part of my model of the language was still under
construction. Or, as a more current example, I am aware
that my model for C (well, post-1980 C anyway) declarations
is flawed ("blessed be he who knows where to put his const"),
but have judged the effort required to fix it not worth the rather
infrequent benefits (which consist mainly of producing declarations
that others will be unlikely to read correctly).
I can't think of any times when the models I started with
as a raw beginner stuck with me a long time -- when I'm
a raw beginner, the models are always disturbingly fuzzy
and incomplete, stimulating further learning. Or perhaps
we're talking about two unrelated things when we use the
word "model".
- Automatic footer for [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] unsubscribe discuss
To join the announcements list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] subscribe announce
To receive a help file, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] help
This list is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/discuss%40ppig.org/
If you have any problems or questions, please mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
