Re: [Sheflug] getting pascal running linux?

[Will Newton <nospam [at] misconception.org.uk>]

On Wed, 7 Mar 2001, Richard Lowe wrote:

> It isnt much fun to be taught either :)
> I guess people use Delphi. so theres Object Pascal still in use.

The good thing about Delphi is you don't have to write that much code. :)

> I seem to recall that this years first years, are being taught VB
> instead of Pascal, But personally I dont see that as much of an
> improvement.

VB is worse. I agree with Stephen on the issue - good languages to teach
programming are simple functional languages (LISP, Scheme) or Python.
Python - all the sugary syntax you can eat, but half the calories.

> I like the look of ruby, although I've only had a quick glance.
> It seems like a simple language to teach and learn.
> But actually useful.

Don't like it. It has good ideas (everything is an object, AFAIK Python
3000 was going to do that, but it's now canned) but uses annoying symbols
all over the place. Python is IMO a more intelligent design.

> I've haven't used Lisp that much. although I keep meaning to :)
> I was planning on learning Python at some point.
> but then I saw ruby, and it just seems.... nicer to me :)

It has a couple of nice features, but IMO Python comes top, it has a
better library, more active users, and some other things I forget right
now. :)
I did look into Ruby a few months back, but it didn't offer anything
Python didn't for me.

> I also really like ferite (http://www.ferite.org |
> http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/ferite/), but thats more of a cheap
> plug :)

Go on then, I'll check it out. :)


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