I don't think the discussion was started with the relative merit or demerit of programming languages or about learning oop. It started with the idea of replacing VB-Access duo in Gnu/Linux platform with some alternative. Now the things that should be considered (according to me) is which combination is better for implementation and learning Gambas / Hbasic / Boa Constructor,python,gdbm / Eclipse / Any other.
In a way, I'm at fault. I should have made it a bit more clear on the thread itself. The point is that creation of an *alternative* FLOSS based syllabus could follow 2 trajectories:
[1] Map every MSFT component in the existing to a FLOSS equivalent in the proposed alternative
[2] Take a concept oriented view of what is being attempted to achieve through the existing and attempt to address those same concerns in the alternative
Now,
[1] Although attractive in its simplicity, has the obvious pitfalls of *best fit* and school/institutions would be required to be *sold* the idea of mapping/mapped components. In turn, this also requires a very visible learning curve on part of the teachers not to mention the students and the academic relevance of this exercise requires champions at many different levels.
[2] This model, even though asking for much greater study, allows the option of choice to be put to the school boards. For example (and this is a very basic one), in a lot of the MCA courses, it is *Data Structures through C/C++*, I agree that the same can be taught also through Pascal if one so desires. The point is to try and address the issue from this aspect. The objective is to teach the Data Structures which can be done through any language, the key area is to take note and propose if FLOSS tools can be used to learn data structures. Such concept mapping if extended would run into a place where Client-Server programming is generally done through VB-Access (or Oracle). The challenge then is to propose something that teaches about Client-Server using a front end interface and a backend database. The interface would/should have the capability of being created through a IDE based RAD.
This is what I thought would be discussed...
:)
Regards Sankarshan
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