The easiest way to learn how to program

[T.Jackson]

Very impressive -- definitely part of what the future holds. Unfortunately Alice isn't a commercial programming language, it's purely intended to be an educational "tool".

[mackrackit]

Very impressive -- definitely part of what the future holds. Unfortunately Alice isn't a commercial programming language, it's purely intended to be an educational "tool".

Thats what I mean. Set up a few of these old machines, haul then to the local library (not allowed to install programs on theirs) and have kids come in and play. The librarian is cool with it too.


The only thing I hope to gain personally from it is a little more floor space in my shop.

[T.Jackson]

Here's another one similar to Alice except that it's more specific to games rather than just an educational tool. Game maker can create standalone executables. http://www.download.com/Game-Maker/3...-10070683.html

Personally, I prefer written syntax, probably because I've been programming for so many years and have become a bit "stuck in my ways", and I find visualizing written syntax problems far easier. Once again -- probably because I've been programming for so long.

But yesterday I finished my first assignment for Alice, hoping for a good mark

[mackrackit]

Personally, I prefer written syntax

Me too. Command line on my linux boxes are my friend.
But seems like most young people these days need the visual.

[T.Jackson]

I reckon it'll be many years before Alice like programming becomes commercial and widely accepted as the way of doing things. Game Maker has a hybrid like schema whereas you can use a combination of drag-and-drop plus written syntax. I think this is the way to go.

[mackrackit]

I reckon it'll be many years before Alice like programming becomes commercial and widely accepted as the way of doing things. Game Maker has a hybrid like schema whereas you can use a combination of drag-and-drop plus written syntax. I think this is the way to go.

I don't know... rhino might think differently with his ladder logic Rockwell icon.
http://www.ab.com/programmablecontro...cosoftpro.html

[T.Jackson]

Like anything I guess -- there has to be a business need for it to begin with (this is the first part of the SDLC -- Software Development Life Cycle), and secondly it takes time to catch on. Won't be easy getting so many people to switch over from product that they're already satisfied with. Costs big money to have people retrained. Alice will remain a toy for at least the next decade.

[rhino]

I don't know... rhino might think differently with his ladder logic Rockwell icon.

I certainly think there is a time and place for it. For example... the ladder logic, designed specifically for electricians. I haven't met one yet who hasn't taken to it and wanted to learn more about programming with it. But on the other hand, to me.... it "feels" like you have more power at your disposal in a syntax driven environment. Not sure that's true in all cases.