Peter,
I've been programming since 1976, and have worked in well over 20 languages.
Once you learn a couple, you find there are similarities to most all typical languages. These often include, but are not limited to:
- Variable assignments - If/Then statements - Repeat/while statements - Do/Until statements - Case statements (not as common) - Repeat while counting ("for" loops or Lingo "repeat with") - Handlers/Functions/Subroutines - String functions - Math functions
excellent list Tab.
I agree completely with this approach to programming languages.
In some sense these correspond to most verbal languages containing nouns, verbs & adjectives.
but I'd suggest that you've missed one important statement group that I'd consider standard:
I/O (InputOutput)
Most languages have specific functions for getting input & sending output.
Often these are for reading from the keyboard and writing to a printer or screen & reading/writing from/to external files.
& Lingo has all of these too, albeit moderately hidden.
-Buzz
.. and so on.
Whenever I pick up a new language, I know these are common and I look for the equivalent function. So in C/C++ I do:
for (x=0; x < 100; x++)
But in Lingo I do:
repeat with x=0 to 100
and in another language I'll do whatever's equivalent. So ultimately I know what I want to do, and all programming is a combination of breaking down problems and implementing solutions using these tools. The specific syntax needs to be learned for any given language, but most of the concepts are shared, "weird" languages aside. I know how to program conceptually, and then for any given language I just have to see how it's implemented. Restrictions and capabilities vary, but the concepts remain the same.
- Tab
At 05:06 PM 10/8/03, Peter Bochan wrote:Hi! I've got sort of unusual question. Lingo is a programming language that gives you much control in Director. To maintain a decent communication, you have to know this language (just like any other ones) good enough. The stereotype of learning human languages is covering the book lesson by lesson. When you pick up any programming book ("Director Guide" or whatever), it has chapters (or lessons) too. You study the material, memorize it, probably think it over and move on. To my mind, the drawback of such an approach is that you'll acquire only the skills of the book's author (whether it's a guide to learn a human language or a computer one). The hardest thing is to make yourself think in that language (again, human or computer). I work as a teacher of English in the university, and I perfectly know about this issue, namely: how to make the student think and talk English after he has covered the lesson. So my question is: how can I learn (if it's possible, of course) to think and freely talk Lingo?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions Peter
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