Choosing a computer for programming

samy888

I like this one, ticks all the boxes.

http://www.ebuyer.com/393375-acer-g246hlbbid-24-led-lcd-hdmi-monitor-um-fg6ee-b01

robrooo

ringo_24601 wrote: »

On Python: I led a rebellion on my MSc course to change the 'language of choice' from Python to Perl. It made a lot more sense for the stuff we were doing. It would scare me knowing that plane autopilots used it really - i guess i see it as a hobby language

Its true that Guido van Rossum designed Python to teach programming, but it is still very powerful, and your pseudocode tends to just run Its being used right now in many critical systems in industry, often as "glue" interfacing between systems, and it can be compiled if you want using the tools to convert it to c/c++.

In my experience programs written in Perl have a tendency to become a twisted unmaintainable mess of bugs. Its flexibility is abused and its syntax often cryptic.

Knowing and applying program architecture principles is a must for any serious application, whatever the language.

[Deleted User]

Well, ok, you need to consider that programming is just a way of defining how to do stuff in a really, really, really detailed manner. An easy way to comprehend this is to write a program 'to make a cup of tea' - with YOU being the computer.

So what does the computer, you, need to know?

Inputs: How many Sugars, Milk
How many sugars is a whole number, from 0 upwards
Milk is an 'either/or' (binary)

1. Turn on Kettle at socket if it is off
2. Turn on tap
3. Begin pouring water into the kettle from tap
4. Stop tap when kettle is full
5. Turn on kettle
7. Is kettle boiled yet? If not, wait a bit and check again (carry on waiting until it's finished)
8. Get mug from cupboard
9. Is mug clean? Get another if it isn't. Carry on getting new mugs until you find a clean one
10. Get teabag and place into mug
11. Pour water into mug (imagine there's a set amount to pour in)
12. Stir teabag for 1 minute
13. Remove teabag and put in bin
14. If they want Milk, continue. Otherwise skip to step 19
14. Get milk from fridge
15. Smell milk; if it is stinky put it in the bin and get a new milk
16. Pour milk into tea
17. Stir milk into tea
18. Return milk to fridge
19. If the number of sugars is 0, skip to step 24
20. Get sugar bowl
21. Add number of sugars as is required
22. Put away sugar bowl
23. Stir sugar into tea
24. Serve tea

So, it takes an attention to detail to code. Is your son like that at all? Does he think through stuff methodically?

[Deleted User]

robrooo wrote: »

Its true that Guido van Rossum designed Python to teach programming, but it is still very powerful, and your pseudocode tends to just run Its being used right now in many critical systems in industry, often as "glue" interfacing between systems, and it can be compiled if you want using the tools to convert it to c/c++.

In my experience programs written in Perl have a tendency to become a twisted unmaintainable mess of bugs. Its flexibility is abused and its syntax often cryptic.

Knowing and applying program architecture principles is a must for any serious application, whatever the language.

We were studying Bioinformatics.. the 'industry language of choice' back in the early 00's was Perl. All the best books on the subject used Perl. There was no comparable books using Python.

I eventually ended up coding most stuff in PHP when I finally got a job. Now I just use stupid niche programming languages that are a bit propitiatory.

closed

The programming thread has turned into a monitor thread.

samy888

Ringo_24601, thanks for breaking it down, he probably does understand, but all I got is 'I need a cup of tea' x

samy888

closed wrote: »

The programming thread has turned into a monitor thread.

Oops, sorry, just wanted to make sure, it is kind of linked.
I haven't mentioned the desktop yet...

closed

just.. it's a big jump from a chat with a teacher who may start teaching a 14 year old kid next year to start programming in school, to buying a £1000's worth of self built kit and dual 24" monitors, and this that and the other.

He can learn to program on any PC or laptop, just like he can write a document on any pc or laptop.

samy888

closed wrote: »

just.. it's a big jump from a chat with a teacher who may start teaching a 14 year old kid next year to start programming in school, to buying a £1000's worth of self built kit and dual 24" monitors.

Which is why I need all the help I can get!

closed

give him your laptop, and tell him to write a program then