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| basics [2023/09/11 12:09] – appledog | basics [2023/09/11 12:17] (current) – appledog |
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| TO a large extent this will depend on what language is introduced first. | TO a large extent this will depend on what language is introduced first. |
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| At times I have used CBM BASIC, PHP, Python or other languages to teach. The language iself is not so important because all the basic concepts are going to be the same. However, out of all the major languages, Python has the least amount of things you need to learn before you can look at a program. Python is not my first choice, But it is great for a basic programming course. However, I don't think that it is valuable to use python beyond the second year of a computer science course. Once you understand all the basic concepts, relearn them in C, C++ or Java. We'll worry about that later. For now, what do you think the following program does? | At times I have used CBM BASIC, PHP, Python or other languages to teach. The language itself is not so important because all the basic concepts are going to be the same. However, out of all the major languages, Python has the least amount of things you need to learn before you can look at a program. Python is not my first choice, But it is great for a basic programming course. However, I don't think that it is valuable to use python beyond the second year of a computer science course. Once you understand all the basic concepts, relearn them in C, C++ or Java. We'll worry about that later. For now, what do you think the following program does? |
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| <Code:python|Example Python Code //ex1.py//> | <Code:python|Example Python Code //ex1.py//> |
| print("C is not bigger than A!") | print("C is not bigger than A!") |
| </Code> | </Code> |
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| | That is pretty much the only reason why Python is useful. You can start learning without getting confused by boilerplate code like ''"#include <stdio.h>"''. Nobody knows what that means, but everyone knows what ''c = a + b'' means. |
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| == Recommended Environment | == Recommended Environment |
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| === The Command Line | === The Command Line |
| You won't loose much time with an editor like nano. If you use automation such as a build system, the command line can be just one or two keystrokes away from an IDE. For many this is fine, but it can feel a little oldschool. Still, I have taught kids this way and it does not impact their learning. | You won't loose much time with an editor like nano. You can use Linux, Mac, or WSL on Windows. Using the terminal can be almost as fast as using an IDE. I recommend an IDE because it is just faster. There is no need to use a general editor for a special document type. Still, I have taught kids using a text editor in a terminal and it does not impact their learning. |
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| === Online IDE | === Online IDE |
| * [[https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/online-compiler/]] | * [[https://www.programiz.com/python-programming/online-compiler/]] |
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| I don't reccomend this, but you can do it if you just want "python here, now" or can't install anything. | I don't recommend an online environment, but you can do it if you just want "python here, now" or can't install anything. |
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| All else considered, if you can, just use PyCharm. | All else considered, if you can, just use PyCharm. |
