Re: Why one school changed from Pascal to C++

[Farshad Nayeri <farshad@cmass.com>]

Rennie Allen wrote:
> 
> Farshad Nayeri (farshad@cmass.com) wrote:
> 
> > 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:
> 
> I agree.
> 
> >   In introductory mathematics, we learn to *use* abstractions.
> >   (Only advanced mathematicians build abstractions of their own for others
> >   to use.)
> 
> I agree with this statement.
> 
> >   In introductory computer science, we learn to *build* abstractions.
> >   (By extension, only advanced computer scientists use abstraction built by
> >   others.)
> 
> But not this.  In introductory computer science, students learn to build and
> use abstractions (the programming language used typically employs many
> abstractions - part of intro comp sci is learning the language).

I think your point is well-taken. I admit, my statement was 
phrased too carefully for a silly post. 

I was just making a small point that what's good in mathematics isn't
necessarily what's good in computer science (though there are a lot
of intersections.) In math courses I took (as a math major), 
we seldom talked about how to put together structures 
to create a new abstraction. We were presented with a structure
(i.e., the theorems) for an abstraction and were told to 
fill in the blanks. In contrast, in even introductory 
computer science courses I took (as a computer science 
major) we were given much freedom about the structure of
our abstractions.

[I suggest this line of discussion continue at comp.edu. I have
set proper crosses, and followups.]

 -- Farshad