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=0.1 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_05,INVALID_MSGID autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII-7-bit X-Google-Thread: 103376,b50bc6538a649497 X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public From: Lao Xiao Hai Subject: Re: Ada student homework ? Date: 2000/11/08 Message-ID: <3A0A2C19.DC7B673C@ix.netcom.com>#1/1 X-Deja-AN: 691490806 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit References: <3A02CED4.520C2768@brighton.ac.uk> <3A078B6F.D34B024B@erols.com> <8ua3m1$bru$1@nnrp1.deja.com> <3A0916BB.584C6C60@cadwin.com> <8ube4s$c2v$1@nnrp1.deja.com> <3A09416E.4C9BE1C8@cadwin.com> <8ubus7$pne$1@nnrp1.deja.com> X-Accept-Language: en X-Server-Date: 9 Nov 2000 04:50:46 GMT Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Organization: MindSpring Enterprises Mime-Version: 1.0 Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada Date: 2000-11-09T04:50:46+00:00 List-Id: Ted Dennison wrote: > In article <3A09416E.4C9BE1C8@cadwin.com>, > Nicolas Brunot wrote: > > The main point here is how Ada programmers are considered by non Ada > > programmers. > > I don't think so. If I can be brutally honest here, anyone who has that > much trouble figuring out how an "if" statement works will *never* be a > programmer, Ada or otherwise. I have to agree with Nicolas with regard to what seems to be his plea for courtesy, even toward lowly students. While the problem may seem trivial to those of us experienced in programming ( in whatever language), we often forget that some newcomers to programming don't instantly grok simple concepts. Indeed, one only need examine the variety of solutions submitted for our entertainment to note that more than one approach to the problem is possible. I, an intellectual plodder, can dimly recall some of my early days in programming where ideas I now accept as easily as breathing caused me enough trouble that I wondered if I would ever learn this stuff. Perhaps there are other plodders out there for whom new ideas are also absorbed slowly. A person with a question, whether a student in a school setting or a beginning programmer trying to learn without benefit of a teacher, should be treated with respect. I have certainly asked enough stupid questions in my time, and hope to ask more stupid questions before I bask in the reflection from the white satin lining an open casket. Is the student cheating on his/her homework by asking the question? Perhaps it depends on what we want them to learn. I am not sure if it was Stravinsky who said, "Good musicians borrow, but great musicians steal." If the inquiring student finally gains an understanding through asking a question, perhaps that is a breakthrough. I do agree that posting the actual solution short-circuits the opportunity for learning. However, instead of handing that student the answer directly, we might consider, respectfully, posing some useful questions or giving guidance useful to him/her in solving the problem. My view is that we treat everyone who chooses to enter this forum with respect, even those who aren't as smart or experienced as we might think we are. * Sorry if this seems harsh. Richard Riehle * Unless, of course, they are programming in some language we don't like. :-)