Looking for Python programmers--where to search?

[gbp]

Pascal.

My first real langauge was Pascal, from a class in high school.  It was
during that class that I decided that I wanted to program for a living.  

I remeber the feeling of acomplishment at some of the things we made
pascal do.  For example, we had to make a calculator to do unlimitedly
large integer math.  In python I suspect you could do the same thing ten
different ways, all easier.  But you wouldn't get that sense of taking a
painful limit (integers can only go up to a certain size about 10 digits
long) and eliminating it with nothing but the core syntax.

Also, python's syntax is way to large.  A summary of pascal can fit on
one page.  When I program in python I need reference material all the
time.  I remeber just sitting down in front of a machine and coding in
pascal.

Alex Martelli wrote:
> 
> "Paul Duffin" <pduffin at hursley.ibm.com> wrote in message
> news:39ABE7F7.BA78BD78 at hursley.ibm.com...
>     [snip]
> > The algorithms and languages (not one but many) should be taught side by
> > side, learning how to write quick sort for example in a few different
> > languages gives you a better understanding of both the algorithm and the
> > language than just doing it in one language.
> >
> > The languages should cover most of the different flavours of languages.
> > Functional.
> > Procedural.
> > Object oriented.
> 
> Nah, not on a first programming course.  This would only beget
> confusion.  Grasping the core ideas of programming is hard
> enough for a total beginner without artificially adding to his/her
> confusion; one language, and a few styles of using it, are enough
> for a first course.
> 
> Besides, why should these three specific paradigms be singled
> out?  SQL (relational) has more practical importance, and arguably
> just as much theoretical status, as functional programming, for
> example.  And is Prolog (logical programming) worth nothing?
> Generic programming, machine languages (Knuth maintains they're
> the only way to get certain ideas across), Forth, Icon, APL?
> 
> Nah.  On a first programming course, ONE, *simple*, language,
> should be picked.  I'd choose Python, with some understanding
> for teachers who'd prefer Scheme (with students with a deep
> background in mathematical/abstract reasoning), or maybe a
> very strictly/statically typed language (not my preference, but
> I respect the classic school which claims such languages help
> beginners, although I've come to think they don't).  Something
> *simple*, anyway -- a language that will basically get out of
> the way pretty soon, leaving a student free to concentrate on
> the real substance of the ideas.  Time enough in further courses
> to introduce the student to some measure of the huge variety
> of languages, paradigms, etc, that they'll need further on.
> 
> Would you teach beginning drivers to drive a motorbike, a
> helicopter, AND a sailboat, at the same time as they're trying
> to master car-driving for the first time?  That would no doubt
> give them a better understanding of the specificsof each
> vehicle, and of the various itineraries and approaches each
> is suitable for.  It would also add enormously to the confusion
> and difficulties inevitably connected with learning to drive
> for the very first time.  Thumbs down.  One vehicle at a
> time, as per tradition, is, by far, a better idea.
> 
> Alex