[ILUG] Computer science education

[Jeremy Smyth]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ilug-bounces at linux.ie [mailto:ilug-bounces at linux.ie]On Behalf Of
> Dermot Daly
> Sent: 06 February 2004 15:27
> To: ilug at linux.ie
> Subject: RE: [ILUG] Computer science education
>
>
> My view on all this is that every computer science (or computer
> applications as its called in DCU) course should teach assembler and C.

It's been mentioned already (by a more eloquent author than I) that CS and
CA are very different ideas. CA is more like the
sparrow-on-eagle's-shoulders idea, where you build on existing ideas, APIs
etc., whereas CS is more theoretical.

In the Real World(tm) of programming (which I agree is not necessarily a
priority for CS education at university), assembly language experience is
about as useful as a wet biscuit. Java (and/or VB, Perl, etc.), by allowing
the coder to be "lazy" at some things, saves their brain cycles for more
interesting things like high level architecture - a difficult thing to do
when you're digging around in IP registers and accumulators.

/jer, dropping 2c in the pot.