s-algol

[ajry@st-andrews.ac.uk (Alistair James Robert Young)]

In article <3b9s34$m58@cleese.apana.org.au>,
Andrew Dunstan <andrew@bugalugs.apana.org.au> wrote:
>
>I'm probably one of the few people who read these groups who has had the
>misfortune to have to do with s-algol. I even have a few manuals stashed away
>somewhere, and still have a copy lurking on my mac.
>
>I don't like the language, for a number of reasons which I won't bother to
>go into here.
>
>But your attack is wide of the mark. Languages should be used in teaching for
>their pedagogic values, not for their application in industrial use. I happen
>to think that Ada is well-suited to both purposes, but let us at least make
>the distinction clear. If students can be taught good programming practise
>with one tool, then picking up another language should be a snap. I don't even
>remember how many computer languages I have written in - I lost count somewhere
>in the 'teens.
>

I was 'taught good programming practice` in s-algol after having learnt
C, and so am familiar with both. In my opinion, the non-standard
implementations of such things as arrays and pointers compared to most
languages in wide use actually make it more difficult for the student to
translate examples to another language. Also IMO, languages used in
teaching should be chosen for their value for that purpose, but the
languages used in industry should also be taken into account. Choosing
a language that is widely different from any in common use makes it
more difficult to adjust on entering the industrial environment.

BTW: Can anyone reading this suggest a more appropriate group?

Alistair

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