[Edu-sig] Re: easy for beginners, even children

[Danny Yoo]

On 12 Apr 2004, Christopher A. Craig wrote:

> > I haven't learned Python yet because it seems something too big to
> > learn now. I'm more comfortable with small languages: bash, awk, logo
>
> I would branch out were I you.  Those three languages have something in
> common, they're all special purpose.  While I'd prefer awk to anything
> else for some applications, it's not real useful in about 99.9% of
> situations, the same goes for bash.  (I don't know logo, but based on
> what I've read, I wouldn't want to write a mail reader in it.)
>
> Interestingly, I also think all three of those have more syntax issues
> than Python.  I'd highly recommend looking into
> http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCSpy/ if you haven't already.


Hi Daniel,

Also, if you're already had some exposure with Logo, an alternative route
to learning how to program may be through the Scheme route, since Logo is
Lispish at a fundamental level.


There are some good Scheme resources here:

    http://www.htdp.org/2003-09-26/Book/
    http://www.teach-scheme.org/


So if you're still feeling that Python's syntax is a bit foreign or big,
you may like to try Scheme to and see if it lets you leverage your
experience with Logo.


Good luck!