Which kid's beginners programming - Python or Forth?
Please forgive me if this is TOO newbie-ish. I am toying with the idea of teaching my ten year old a little about programming. I started my search with something like "best FREE programming language for kids." After MUCH clicking and high-level scanning, I am looking at Python and Forth. Both have advocates that say each is a great approach to learning computers. My programming classes were a long, long time ago in a land far, far away. My programming muscles, which were never truly developed, have atrophied even so. That said, I want to learn this as we go. The PROCESS of research and using net resources for a self-learning adventure is almost as much of the goal as learning a programming skill. That said, a good learning goal for my kid would be to create a spelling tutor for his little brother. My (simple) vision would be: 1. an input file of this week's word list 2. use a free text-to-speech engine to call out one word at a time 3. in turn, monitor each key press as a particular word is being typed, beeping on an incorrect keystroke and going to the next word if correct I don't care if it takes a year or two to get to this level, I just want a vehicle that will take us there. I told my son, who wants to learn how to compute probabilities, that we have to start with some boring stuff so we can learn how to do the cool stuff. Adding and subtracting aren't really fun, but figuring odds on rolling dice IS fun. Learning to program will be kind of like that. He accepted that explantion. So, that said... In ~simplest~ terms for the stated goal -- Forth or Python? ...the goal is NOT the spelling tutor... it is learning how to use a tool to solve a problem. I am asking which tool is more suited to an otherwise arbitrary direction of "spelling tutor program." [NOTE: This is not a troll. I'm geting ready to bark up a tree and I prefer to avoid the wrong one. I am cross-posting.] Thanks -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
Re: Which kid's beginners programming - Python or Forth?
All, The Forth-Python pull was heading to a conclusion just like "Tastes Great" vs. "Less Filling" or Ford-Chevy. However, friendly folks at comp.lang.forth pointed me to Amazon.com and _Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas_ by Seymour Papert. The book is by Logo's inventor and, according to the reviews, addresses the larger goal I most want to achieve. I now want to read the book. Period. However, my kids both love Legos which uses a Logo implementation for their robotics toys. I could probably capture both the 10 yr old AND the 7 yr old if we can spring for the $200 Lego Mindstorm set. Sort of blows away my specification of "free," but... In my earlier browsing, I eliminated Logo early on, thinking we would hit its capability ceiling too quickly and then backtrack in order to make a transition to a "REAL" language. uh... I've been browsing on Logo tonight and, even without the Lego robots, I may go that route. Shoot, I thought Logo was just moving hokey sprites in increasingly complex patterns until I saw the book list at: http://el.media.mit.edu/logo-foundation/products/books.html Hmm... When all is said and done, maybe the choice is kind of like physical exercise. I can spend weeks choosing the most effective work out and diet combination. But, until I cut back on biggie size grease brugers with double shakes and get off of the couch every now and then, the choice of workout is moot. In fact, one I use is better than the "best" that I don't use. Gentle folk of comp.lang.python, I heartily thank you all for your input. I think I'm taking the boys through the door marked "Logo." We may be back this way, though. We will likely need MORE in the nebulous future. I am impressed with the outpouring of support here! Thanks to all! -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
