An objective comparison of languages for teaching introductory programming

Paper


Mannila, Linda and de Raadt, Michael. 2006. "An objective comparison of languages for teaching introductory programming." Berglund, Anders and Wiggberg, Mattias (ed.) 6th Baltic Sea Conference on Computing Education Research (Koli Calling 2006). Koli, Finland 09 - 12 Nov 2006 Uppsala, Sweden. https://doi.org/10.1145/1315803.1315811
Paper/Presentation Title

An objective comparison of languages for teaching introductory programming

Presentation TypePaper
AuthorsMannila, Linda (Author) and de Raadt, Michael (Author)
EditorsBerglund, Anders and Wiggberg, Mattias
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the 6th Baltic Sea Conference on Computing Education Research (Koli Calling 2006)
Journal Citation276, pp. 32-37
Number of Pages6
Year2006
Place of PublicationUppsala, Sweden
ISBN9781595939708
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1145/1315803.1315811
Web Address (URL) of Paperhttps://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1315803.1315811
Web Address (URL) of Conference Proceedingshttps://dl.acm.org/doi/proceedings/10.1145/1315803
Conference/Event6th Baltic Sea Conference on Computing Education Research (Koli Calling 2006)
Event Details
6th Baltic Sea Conference on Computing Education Research (Koli Calling 2006)
Event Date
09 to end of 12 Nov 2006
Event Location
Koli, Finland
Abstract

The question of which language to use in introductory programming has been cause for protracted debate, often based on emotive opinions. Several studies on the benefits of individual languages or comparisons between two languages have been conducted, but there is still a lack of objective data used to inform these comparisons. This paper presents a list of criteria based on design decisions used by prominent teaching-language creators. The criteria, once justified, are then used to compare eleven languages which are currently used in introductory programming courses. Recommendations are made on how these criteria can be used or adapted for different situations.

Keywordsprogramming languages; industry; teaching; introductory programming course
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020460806. Human-computer interaction
461204. Programming languages
390113. Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

SeriesACM International Conference Proceeding Series
Byline AffiliationsTurku Centre for Computer Science, Finland
Centre for Research in Transformative Pedagogies
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