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From: socha@drivax.UUCP (Henri J. Socha (socha))
Newsgroups: comp.lang.misc
Subject: Re: Teaching object-oriented paradigm to beginners?
Message-ID: <750@drivax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 9-Jan-87 14:26:28 EST
Article-I.D.: drivax.750
Posted: Fri Jan  9 14:26:28 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Jan-87 02:44:20 EST
References: <4000001@nucsrl.UUCP> <746@drivax.UUCP>
Reply-To: socha@drivax.UUCP (Henri J. Socha)
Organization: Digital Research, Monterey
Lines: 20
Keywords: object-oriented, teaching,
Summary: Computers beeen berrry berrry goood to me

Bruce, one of the things I learned in University was that when you get out
into the real world you spend the first x months learning how to do things
their way.  They hired you (and not someone else) because you proved that
you COULD learn (being almost more important than WHAT you learned).

I found that learning CONCEPTS about data structures, structured programming,
algorithms, etc. was more important than learning WATFIV, Assembly, C, etc.
I also feel that I was lucky that I did not! learn BASIC at first.
BASIC (at least BASIC in '68) destroys ones understanding of good
programming techniques (few recover). (** please no FLAMES from BASIC lovers **)

Object oriented programming should teach the importance of data structures,
algorithms, the advantages of data hiding, function organization,
re-use of software libraries, i.e. how to organize and write a programme.
Once you know how, you can pick up WHICH language at your place of employment.

Therefore, (finally :-) I feel that learning object oriented programming
techniques is an excellent way to learn about computer programming.
(Also a teeny bit on assembly language so they can appreciate what the
compiler/interpreter is doing for them.)