Back in the day when I was starting to program (which would be 20 years ago), I remember books and magazines with code listings in BASIC.

I didn't have to understand how BASIC worked, nor really much of anything else. It may as well have been magic.

I didn't need specialized tools and libraries that I needed to download and configure and understand the bazillion options of.

Between then and now, I have programmed in a number of different ways for a number of different platforms and a number of different languages.

Now, if I get to choose a language and environment to program in and for, I will choose &#106avascript in an html page.

Why? I can use Notepad++ as my code writing tool (I like it because it does syntax highlighting, and tells me the line number), Firefox to test it (the Error Console will tell me a line number that has an error if one exists), and Paint .NET to manipulate images.

It also supports a flexible style of coding. I don't *HAVE* to make class functions if I don't want to, yet I can still use objects.

The downside of this is that I have to bring my own discipline to my coding style, which a beginner would not have.

If I were to write a book again, I would use &#106avascript for teaching, and have it more in the &#115;tyle of the old learn to program books of the 80s. <br> <br>But I've pitched it twice, and there have been no takers. <br> <br>Other languages/environments you might consider: KPL/Phrogram and Scratch. Scratch has an interesting set of challenges, however, as many of the things developers tend to take for granted (arrays, strings) are just not present. <br> <br>Anyway, good luck. <br> <br>

Quote:Original post by TANSTAAFL
Now, if I get to choose a language and environment to program in and for, I will choose &#106avascript in an html page.

Why? I can use Notepad++ as my code writing tool (I like it because it does syntax highlighting, and tells me the line number), Firefox to test it (the Error Console will tell me a line number that has an error if one exists), and Paint .NET to manipulate images.

It also supports a flexible style of coding. I don't *HAVE* to make class functions if I don't want to, yet I can still use objects.

I completely agree with this rationale, and it is one of the reasons why I use Python. I can write a top-down, one-off script with no defined entry points or functions (my near-feature complete Pong game still doesn't have a main or any such), use objects and intuitive, powerful syntax, and refactor my code over time. The only advantage JavaScript has over Python, in my opinion, is the pervasiveness of its platform support via the browser (and the fact that ActionScript is just another ECMAScript variant, making the skills highly transferable).

Quote:The downside of this is that I have to bring my own discipline to my coding style, which a beginner would not have.

However the upside for a beginner is that the focus is on writing a program that works, not on satisfying compiler impositions per well-formedness and structure. For learning/instruction purposes, both JavaScript and Python allow the instructor (me) to defer addressing structural issues until the student has a grasp of operational issues, letting me introduce those gradually more difficult concepts over time.

Quote:If I were to write a book again, I would use &#106avascript for teaching, and have it more in the &#115;tyle of the old learn to program books of the 80s.<!--QUOTE--></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE><!--/QUOTE--><!--ENDQUOTE--> <br>Way in the back of my mind, I'm considering putting together a manuscript if I get all the way to my third planned resource, as I'd cover a wide range of topics that I think are extremely valuable. We'll just have to see what happens. <br> <br><!--QUOTE--><BLOCKQUOTE><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><table border=0 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width="95%"><tr><td class=quote><!--/QUOTE--><!--STARTQUOTE-->But I've pitched it twice, and there have been no takers.<!--QUOTE--></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE><!--/QUOTE--><!--ENDQUOTE--> <br>Self-publish. If the small first run does well, you'll be surprised how quickly the larger publishers will jump &#111;n it. Remember, they're in the business of mass marketing; where there is no obvious existing "demand" (read: hype), they get skittish. <br> <br><!--QUOTE--><BLOCKQUOTE><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><table border=0 cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width="95%"><tr><td class=quote><!--/QUOTE--><!--STARTQUOTE-->Anyway, good luck.<!--QUOTE--></td></tr></table></BLOCKQUOTE><!--/QUOTE--><!--ENDQUOTE--> <br>Thanks, and you too! (Write that book!)

Quote:Original post by Oluseyi
Video games are a visual medium, yet virtually all introductory resources/articles/tutorials are reams and reams of text.

Thank FSM that it is still the case. I can read multiple times faster than anyone can present and talk about a subject. For graphics stuff there is a wonderful invention called screenshot and of course the video.

Quote:Original post by Gaheris

Quote:Original post by Oluseyi
Video games are a visual medium, yet virtually all introductory resources/articles/tutorials are reams and reams of text.

Thank FSM that it is still the case. I can read multiple times faster than anyone can present and talk about a subject. For graphics stuff there is a wonderful invention called screenshot and of course the video.

I think you ignored that word in bold there...