2 Jan
2012
2 Jan
'12
11:33 p.m.
On Mon, 2 Jan 2012, dwight elvey wrote:
While BASIC is good for a starting language it is not
the first
language I'd bring up on a machine unless it had already been
setup on that machine.
I'd bring up Forth. One can get the console in and out running
first. One can then easily experiment with the disk IO until
it is working right.
The source is available and easy to understand.
Once one has a good understanding, bringing up other
languages is trivial.
Damn good points.
I consider BASIC to be an excellent beginner's introduction to
"what is a program?", etc., so long as they are exposed to other
languages immediately after grasping the basic principles. C,
for wxample, is the Systems Programming "language of choice",
but as somebody's very first exposure to programming, it will
teach them more about what their frustration tolerance level is
than about programming. Once PAST that initial exposure stage,
C is excellent.
Although I don't speak a word of Forth, other than once having
read Brodie's book ("Starting Forth"), it seems ideal for working
with mastering the issues of getting a software structure to connect
with the hardware.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin at xenosoft.com