From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: X-Spam-Status: No, score=-1.3 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_00,INVALID_MSGID autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: fac41,1bc17347df0c2d32 X-Google-Attributes: gidfac41,public X-Google-Thread: 103376,1bc17347df0c2d32 X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public X-Google-Thread: 1008e3,1bc17347df0c2d32 X-Google-Attributes: gid1008e3,public From: Farshad Nayeri Subject: Re: Why one school changed from Pascal to C++ Date: 1997/05/02 Message-ID: <336AA099.41C67EA6@cmass.com>#1/1 X-Deja-AN: 238999867 References: <33664F10.6B76@mathernet.com> <5kd7eo$2b4@lyra.csx.cam.ac.uk> <8229B62E52EAC144.6C6C6DF4FB6915C3.A10EAF24E2BF24E1@library-proxy.airnews.net> Organization: Critical Mass, Inc., http://www.cmass.com Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada,comp.lang.eiffel,comp.lang.modula3 Date: 1997-05-02T00:00:00+00:00 List-Id: 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