From: Farshad Nayeri <farshad@cmass.com>
Subject: Re: Why one school changed from Pascal to C++
Date: 1997/05/02
Date: 1997-05-02T00:00:00+00:00 [thread overview]
Message-ID: <336AA099.41C67EA6@cmass.com> (raw)
In-Reply-To: 8229B62E52EAC144.6C6C6DF4FB6915C3.A10EAF24E2BF24E1@library-proxy.airnews.net
Kevin Cline wrote:
>
> Symbols are used in mathematics because they are easier to read than text.
> They are used in computer programs for the same reason.
Well, I'd suggest that the goals of mathematics and computer science
are different, so we may not want to apply the same principles:
In introductory mathematics, we learn to *use* abstractions.
(Only advanced mathematicians build abstractions of their own for others to use.)
In introductory computer science, we learn to *build* abstractions.
(By extension, only advanced computer scientists use abstraction built by others.)
Sorry, I did start with a longer, more serious point, but since
Netscape crashed, I thought to post this shorter, more silly post!
Seriously though, let's keep the conversation on the topic of why
one school switched out of Pascal to C++. BTW, why isn't
comp.edu on this discussion? Aren't "they" the experts?
-- Farshad
next prev parent reply other threads:[~1997-05-02 0:00 UTC|newest]
Thread overview: 13+ messages / expand[flat|nested] mbox.gz Atom feed top
[not found] <33664F10.6B76@mathernet.com>
1997-05-02 0:00 ` Why one school changed from Pascal to C++ Philippe Allenbach
1997-05-02 0:00 ` Richard Watts
1997-05-03 0:00 ` Kevin Cline
1997-05-02 0:00 ` Farshad Nayeri [this message]
1997-05-05 0:00 ` Rennie Allen
1997-05-05 0:00 ` Farshad Nayeri
1997-05-06 0:00 ` Richard Watts
1997-05-06 0:00 ` Robert Dewar
1997-05-06 0:00 ` Spencer Allain
1997-05-13 0:00 ` W. Wesley Groleau (Wes)
1997-05-15 0:00 ` Kaz Kylheku
1997-05-06 0:00 ` Farshad Nayeri
1997-05-02 0:00 ` Lance Kibblewhite
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