🚀 go-pugleaf

Martin wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> I'm a physics teacher, and I would like to learn some kind of Visual
> (Basic, C#, C++, ...) language, but I don't know what to choose.
> 
> What I want is:
> * making some (simple) programs to handle experiments output of the
> pupils; * (interactive) visualising of theory;
> * not too difficult language, certainly not too technical/esoteric.
> * programs must run under regular windows (so 2000 / XP / (98?))
> 
> I programmed in C and Fortran back in my student time. It's not a problem
> to take care of designing some mathematical algorithm, but I would'nt
> spent too much time on mastering lots of technical details of a visual
> language. Although I realize of course that you have to learn Several
> details, but a study of lets say 2 years is far too much.
> The language must preferably be possible to learn as self study.
> 
> What would you recommend???
> 
> I scrolled through some Micro$oft pages dealing about all the languages
> they have, but it's really a JUNGLE for me.
> 
> thanks in advance.
> 
> best regards,
> 
> martin

I wouldn't go with any actual MS products for this, because they cost money
and school's have a budget to keep! This really sort of rules Visual
languages out, since they are all can get expensive, at least compared to
the free ones I'm about to recommend.

For very basic scripting and prototyping (like you're talking about) and
VERY quick to learn I'd go for Python. Python is a radically different
language as far as syntax is concerned, but is extremely easy to understand
and quick to pick up. It also eliminates most of the screwy bracketing
characters so you won't have many bugs related to you hitting the wrong
type of bracket or forgetting one, etc.
http://python.org

Another good one that will feel similar to C is Java. Its easy to deal with
and runs on everything. Its also free. There are a few different compilers
and virtual machines for it. I'd just keep it simple and go with Sun's so
you don't wind up learning a weird extension of the language.
http://java.sun.com

If you wind up going the C++ route, instead of going with Visual, since
you're not doing anything ridiculously complicated, I'd go download
Bloodshed's Dev-C++. Its got a very standard C++ compiler pre bundled or
you can install another oss one if you want, but that's really not
neccessary for what you're trying to do.
http://www.bloodshed.net

I recommend them in this order because of complexity. Since you're not
writing a 3d shooter or a web-based game or soemthing, Java and C++ will
really just introduce a bunch of unneccessary complexity for what you're
aiming to do... C++ far moreso than Java. At least with Java you won't have
to worry about pointers. Python is very cool and easy to self-study even
without buying any books on it. Lots of good web resources.

Hope this helps
-Me

-- 
http://barfdader.com
"Beat your children at least once a day; if you don't know why, they do."
-A surprisingly famous guy