allen@sonia.math.ucla.edu (06/08/91)
Hello,
At UCLA Math (Program in Computing), we are currently in the process
of considering a new language for the teaching of programming.
Currently, we use Berkeley Pascal for our introductory and intermediate
programming classes, and use C for the "advanced" segment of the
sequence. The switch to C is something of a problem, since the
instructor spends several weeks of the quarter getting the students up
to speed with a new language before getting into really interesting
stuff.
One of the languages which we are considering to replace Pascal (and
C) is Modula-2 (we are considering other languages as well). However,
we don't have a whole lot of facts available about the use of Modula-2
in other places, though we know it is more popular in Europe than here
in the US.
What I would like is comments from educators who have had experience
using Modula-2 in their curricula regarding its strengths and
weaknesses, and subjective perceptions of the use of the language
as a pedantic tool. I would also appreciate input from programmers who
use (or have used) Modula-2 professionally.
Please address e-mail responses to
allen@math.ucla.edu
and do not respond to this posting via News. If you have trouble
sending your response to the address above, try
allen@pic.ucla.edu
Many thanks in advance for your assistance.
--Bill Allen
--UCLA Math, Program in Computing
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C: A middle-level programming language which combines the power
of assembly language with the readability of assembly language.