🚀 go-pugleaf

"Martin" <nobody@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:bq84a4$bhk$1@reader10.wxs.nl...
> Hello,
>
> I'm a physics teacher, and I would like to learn some kind of Visual
(Basic,
> C#, C++, ...) language, but I don't know what to choose.
>
> What I want is:
> * making some (simple) programs to handle experiments output of the
pupils;
> * (interactive) visualising of theory;
> * not too difficult language, certainly not too technical/esoteric.
> * programs must run under regular windows (so 2000 / XP / (98?))
>
> I programmed in C and Fortran back in my student time. It's not a problem
to
> take care of designing some mathematical algorithm, but I would'nt spent
too
> much time on mastering lots of technical details of a visual language.
> Although I realize of course that you have to learn Several details, but a
> study of lets say 2 years is far too much.
> The language must preferably be possible to learn as self study.
>
> What would you recommend???
>
> I scrolled through some Micro$oft pages dealing about all the languages
they
> have, but it's really a JUNGLE for me.
>
> thanks in advance.
>
> best regards,
>
> martin
>
>

Maybe something like Python and MayaVi is what you're looking for?

http://www.python.org/

http://mayavi.sourceforge.net/

Duncan

"Martin" <nobody@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:bq84a4$bhk$1@reader10.wxs.nl...
> Hello,
>
> I'm a physics teacher, and I would like to learn some kind of
Visual (Basic,
> C#, C++, ...) language, but I don't know what to choose.
>
> What I want is:
> * making some (simple) programs to handle experiments output
of the pupils;
> * (interactive) visualising of theory;
> * not too difficult language, certainly not too
technical/esoteric.
> * programs must run under regular windows (so 2000 / XP /
(98?))
>
> I programmed in C and Fortran back in my student time. It's
not a problem to
> take care of designing some mathematical algorithm, but I
would'nt spent too
> much time on mastering lots of technical details of a visual
language.
> Although I realize of course that you have to learn Several
details, but a
> study of lets say 2 years is far too much.
> The language must preferably be possible to learn as self
study.
>
> What would you recommend???
>
> I scrolled through some Micro$oft pages dealing about all the
languages they
> have, but it's really a JUNGLE for me.

Visual Basic is probably fine for you, IMHO. As with other
object orientated languages it can sometimes be a matter more of
finding the property and method that you need for the display
parts but MS produce a very good development environment which
makes a big difference.

Visual C can do more and gives much flexibilty but it takes a
lot more effort.
--
HTH,
James

 If you already know C then try C++ Builder.
You can download a trial of version 6 from
http://www.borland.com/products/downloads/download_cbuilder.html


"Martin" <nobody@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:bq84a4$bhk$1@reader10.wxs.nl...
> Hello,
>
> I'm a physics teacher, and I would like to learn some kind of Visual
(Basic,
> C#, C++, ...) language, but I don't know what to choose.
>
> What I want is:
> * making some (simple) programs to handle experiments output of the
pupils;
> * (interactive) visualising of theory;
> * not too difficult language, certainly not too technical/esoteric.
> * programs must run under regular windows (so 2000 / XP / (98?))
>
> I programmed in C and Fortran back in my student time. It's not a problem
to
> take care of designing some mathematical algorithm, but I would'nt spent
too
> much time on mastering lots of technical details of a visual language.
> Although I realize of course that you have to learn Several details, but a
> study of lets say 2 years is far too much.
> The language must preferably be possible to learn as self study.
>
> What would you recommend???
>
> I scrolled through some Micro$oft pages dealing about all the languages
they
> have, but it's really a JUNGLE for me.
>
> thanks in advance.
>
> best regards,
>
> martin
>
>

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

"James Harris" <no.email.please> wrote:

-------------8<--------------------------
> Visual Basic is probably fine for you, IMHO. As with other
> object orientated languages 

-----------------8<--------------

I wouldn't call Visual Basic, Object Oriented, because it isn't.

-- 
_P.M. Groen________________________________
'Does Killin' Time Affect The Future?
'I Think It Will...In The End

"Martin" <nobody@nowhere.org> wrote in message
news:bq84a4$bhk$1@reader10.wxs.nl...
> 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;

 I wouldn't overlook a Spreadsheet program for the points above.
Scientific and statistical support, data input and graphing, easy to
use/program.
There are free ones. Try www.Openoffice.org . Presentation manager included.

I'll second the python choice. It's a very elegant, simple but
powerful language. Nice array and object orientation features. If you
want to develop under windows take a look at the ActiveState python
version:
http://www.activestate.com/Products/ActivePython/ (includes language
files, simple IDE, and many nice external python libraries: xml, zlib,
etc.)

They have a superb Integrated Development Environment (IDE) named
komodo:
http://www.activestate.com/Products/Komodo/

Komodo is not free but for educational usage you only pay USD 25 - you
earn that back within the first hour. The Komodo IDE beats any other
free IDE, it will save you time and frustration, you can try it for
free:
http://www.activestate.com/Products/Komodo/pricing_and_licensing.plex

If you really want to go Visual you can get the Visual Python.NET >>
that is a Python plugin for Visual Studio.NET - you will have to pay
for the plugin and the VS.net environment.

Python is easy to learn and gives you real power. You can concentrate
on solving the problem instead of marketing gimmicks. In addition,
phyton is in wide use in the scientific community, so peer-2-peer
support will be no problem. In addition, it's vendor-independent, you
wont suffer from vendor lockin and since it's a free distribution that
runs on many Operating Systems all your students can use it.

Success,

Kris De Decker
______________
ps: professioneel vastgoedbeheer >>
http://www.jerboa.be/website/nl/fullfill.asp