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My 8th grader wants to spend a week at a computer programming camp. It is better not to ask why. In any case, she can apparently take courses in C++, Java, Xcode, Web design and Flash, or a generic "adventures" in programming. Any thoughts? As you can tell from the above, I'm way beyond the stage of making a coherent recommendation myself... |
| Affordable Care Act |
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Java is the most popular programming language in the world. The entire Affordable Care Act is being implemented now in Java on Unix servers. |
| dfaffaew |
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Whatever interests her would certainly be best. It really depends on the content of the course. With a good instructor and curriculum any language could be used effectively to teach beginners. But if she wanted to take this up as a hobby it would be very difficult to start with Java or C++, whereas Flash or similar programs are possible to teach to yourself using online tutorials. Flash and generic adventures would be a safer bet I think. The fact that you said not to ask why makes me curious why. |
| pr100 |
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I think it's an odd choice of subjects for teaching kids programming. Flash is 'orrid and on the way out - a good first principle of web design to teach these days would be: "don't use flash" :) Xcode is tightly coupled with Apple stuff. C++ and Java are not (imo) good choices as a first language to teach people. Both suffer from distracting declarations and in C++ you have the additional issues of memory management. Neither are interactive. Python or Ruby would be good choices. |
| CMU |
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Java is the easist, cheapest, and the most useful language to learn. Every computing platform runs Java. You can examine gobs of free tutorials online, and free PDF books, and get the SDK for free. |
| pr100 |
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"Cheapest" when pretty much every programming language in common use has high quality implementations available for free? |
| sdfasdgasdfasdfsa |
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I am currently enrolled in eighth grade and going to Stuyvesant high school in the fall. Through internet tutorials I have learned moderate Java which I sincerely enjoy. Java is rather easy to learn and, to my understanding easy to get a profession in. Chose Java. |
| Fortran/Pascal/Prolog |
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I'd say that 80% of the why involves a boy. That said, I wish that I'd limited my chasing women to "attending computer camp." Would have saved me a lot of aggravation. |
| combinatorist |
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What is your daughter's background in programming? What has she done? Is she completely new to programming? I think her choice would really depend on what she is comfortable with. Also, are the C++/Java courses designed for complete beginners? I would think that as an 8th grader, she should really take what interests her the most. My middle school programming was mostly in Basic, but it taught us about things like loops and conditional statments, which will be useful in many facets in her future. That was also 18 years ago. In that regard, the "adventures in programming" may sound interesting. As far as what is most useful, in my field, having a working knowledge of C++ or Java are pretty common requirements. There are plenty of freshman college courses in Java that don't require any prerequisites. I'm guessing the camp is for 8th graders, so the level should take into account the age and maturity of the students. Sounds like a cool time! |
| Fortran/Pascal/Prolog |
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Completely new. The courses are designed for beginners. That said-- I can't imagine that a week's worth of syntax in *any* language will be fun. I understand that compiling is a lot better now, but I seem to remember the first few weeks of any language being devoted to learning whether to use a semicolon or a colon. If she comes through without swearing that she'll never program again, I will consider it a success.
She has no idea what she wants to take.
Thanks. |