Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

Dietrich · Apr 16th, 2006, 9:09 PM

Sane might be on to something. Maybe the kind of problems given to the typical Basic or C student are too easy to solve for a Python student. Simple problems like spelling a string in reverse, counting the characters in a string, or counting the words in a text file would keep a student in Basic and C pretty busy.

If you want to teach Python, make the problems a little more challenging! Any ideas? The teacher may have been too lazy to do this!

Jessehk · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:07 PM

My impression:

With languages like C, and C++, the majority of the challenge is figuring out how to manipulate the language to accomplish a simple task. I thought I knew programming, but in fact I only knew the specifics of how to construct simple programs properly. Though one may learn how to manage memory with pointers in C, it doesn't help you to develop your skills in accomplishing a given task.

I'm finding that with languages such as Ruby and Python where the details are taken care of, I have to learn how to think creativly, instead of how to print "Hello, world".

If the teacher wants the students to learn how to solve problems, Python would be a fantastic language. I may be ignorant, but I didn't know that programming was all about solving complexities and "gotchas" in languages.

Sane · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:10 PM

Well said Jessehk.

KyrinComaBlack · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:14 PM

Any person can learn a language it would be just so hard to make the program work the way the user wants it to, designing it, and all. I learned PHP and its too easy but developing the applications is hard as hell cause too many bugs and what not. I have no trouble learning a language what is my trouble is thinking of a program to make and keep on it and not blow it off

Sane · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:16 PM

<off topic>

Three posters from Ontario in a row. That's quite the coincidence I must say...

</off topic>

Toro · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:19 PM

If anything, languages like QBASIC or Visual BASIC are too easy. One can not do much with that/those language(s) than languages like C, C+, C#, and Java. Python can do a lot more than Visual BASIC. A teacher shouldn't assume what his students will get bored of because he doesn't know a language's full potential. I heard a lot can be done with Python. If teacher thinks his students will get bored of that language, teach them something challenging and worth learning. It will pay of and students will be too busy rather than just surfing the internet during class-time.

Sane · Apr 16th, 2006, 11:48 PM

Well exactly. Python has access to the win32api, it can communicate with 'C' (PyGame), has full control over the os functions, socket library, parallel ports, many GUIs, etc...

As of now, I can't think of a single program you can make in a different language that you can't make in Python. =S

Enough python spamming for me. =__=;;

bl00dninja · Apr 17th, 2006, 12:37 AM

he should teach machine language.

Toro · Apr 17th, 2006, 1:08 AM

lol, that'll keep the teacher AND students busy! heh!

Infinite Recursion · Apr 17th, 2006, 8:02 AM

The teacher shouldn't teach anything, he/she should quit.

Apr 16th, 2006, 9:09 PM	#11
Dietrich Professional Programmer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 434 Rep Power: 4	Sane might be on to something. Maybe the kind of problems given to the typical Basic or C student are too easy to solve for a Python student. Simple problems like spelling a string in reverse, counting the characters in a string, or counting the words in a text file would keep a student in Basic and C pretty busy. If you want to teach Python, make the problems a little more challenging! Any ideas? The teacher may have been too lazy to do this! __________________ I looked it up on the Intergnats!

Apr 16th, 2006, 11:07 PM	#12
Jessehk The Oblivious One Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 630 Rep Power: 4	My impression: With languages like C, and C++, the majority of the challenge is figuring out how to manipulate the language to accomplish a simple task. I thought I knew programming, but in fact I only knew the specifics of how to construct simple programs properly. Though one may learn how to manage memory with pointers in C, it doesn't help you to develop your skills in accomplishing a given task. I'm finding that with languages such as Ruby and Python where the details are taken care of, I have to learn how to think creativly, instead of how to print "Hello, world". If the teacher wants the students to learn how to solve problems, Python would be a fantastic language. I may be ignorant, but I didn't know that programming was all about solving complexities and "gotchas" in languages. __________________ Dr. Zoidberg: [ecstatic] I'm going to a movie... with FRIENDS!

Apr 17th, 2006, 12:37 AM	#18
bl00dninja Programming Guru Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: namespace std Posts: 1,246 Rep Power: 5	he should teach machine language. __________________ i put on my robe and wizard hat... Have you ever heard of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates?...Morons.

Apr 17th, 2006, 8:02 AM	#20
Infinite Recursion Programming Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,467 Rep Power: 8	The teacher shouldn't teach anything, he/she should quit. __________________ http://jasonpowers.net "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

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Apr 16th, 2006, 11:10 PM	#13
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,799 Rep Power: 5	Well said Jessehk.

Apr 16th, 2006, 11:14 PM	#14
KyrinComaBlack Programmer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 48 Rep Power: 0	Any person can learn a language it would be just so hard to make the program work the way the user wants it to, designing it, and all. I learned PHP and its too easy but developing the applications is hard as hell cause too many bugs and what not. I have no trouble learning a language what is my trouble is thinking of a program to make and keep on it and not blow it off

Apr 16th, 2006, 11:16 PM	#15
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,799 Rep Power: 5	<off topic> Three posters from Ontario in a row. That's quite the coincidence I must say... </off topic>

Apr 16th, 2006, 11:19 PM	#16
Toro Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 136 Rep Power: 0	If anything, languages like QBASIC or Visual BASIC are too easy. One can not do much with that/those language(s) than languages like C, C+, C#, and Java. Python can do a lot more than Visual BASIC. A teacher shouldn't assume what his students will get bored of because he doesn't know a language's full potential. I heard a lot can be done with Python. If teacher thinks his students will get bored of that language, teach them something challenging and worth learning. It will pay of and students will be too busy rather than just surfing the internet during class-time.

Apr 16th, 2006, 11:48 PM	#17
Sane Programming Guru Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,799 Rep Power: 5	Well exactly. Python has access to the win32api, it can communicate with 'C' (PyGame), has full control over the os functions, socket library, parallel ports, many GUIs, etc... As of now, I can't think of a single program you can make in a different language that you can't make in Python. =S Enough python spamming for me. =__=;;

Apr 17th, 2006, 1:08 AM	#19
Toro Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 136 Rep Power: 0	lol, that'll keep the teacher AND students busy! heh!

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Programming Forums > Script Programming > Python

Python too easy?