Learning to Program: Spreadsheets, Scripting and HCI

An examination of some recent programming texts indicates that the complexities of modern programming languages and environments have replaced the study of algorithms and programming principles. Additionally such an approach simply slows the development of the learner in the end. Consequently the paper examines the basic principles of minimalism as espoused by Carroll and the human computer interaction heuristics advanced by Nielsen to argue that scripting languages and spreadsheets provide a better approach. It has been used over the last three years at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Unfortunately quantitative results are difficult to obtain, but searching, sorting and the use of objects is obtainable after 40 notional study hours for first year students who have never programmed before.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: ACE
• Authors: Peter Warren
• Keywords: ACE 2004, Computer Interaction Heuristics, Education, Modern Programming Languages, Programming