On Sun, 4 Dec 2005, RaeNye wrote: > Nir wrote: > >Why use "thing"? simply talk about "list1" > >Set the first item of list1 to the number 1 > > This is where you bluntly mislead the students. > "list1" is /nothing/ but the object it's currently binded to, and it's ultra > important that they understand this.
oh... now i need to explain the word "bind"? :) i hate this word - it sounds too bombastic. it also does not come from normal life - in normal life, you dont bind names - you just call your bear "teddy". and binding is not exactly the same as "calling by name": if i call my bear teddy, and then i go and tear its head, and its legs and arms and stomach - is it still teddy? in python, if i name a list object 'teddy' and then i delete most of the list's items, it is still called 'a', regardless of any emotions i have towards this list. please understand that "intuitive" is an illusion - any analogy that you'll bring will have some exceptions, which you'll have to explain eventually. which is why i'd rather explain things explicity, then count on the intuition of the pupils. and since i cannot explain everything, eventually i have to tell them "try it out and see how it works". -- guy "For world domination - press 1, or dial 0, and please hold, for the creator." -- nob o. dy
