alternate language

[Hendrik van Rooyen]

"Bryan" <belred at gmail.com> wrote:


> what is a good alternate language to learn? i just want something to expand
> my mind and hopefully reduce or delay any chance of alzheimer's. i would
> especially like to hear from those of you who learned python _before_ these
> languages.
>
> haskell, erlang, ocaml, mozart/oz, rebel, etc.
>
> i don't require any of these features, but extra browny points for any of
> the following:
>
> interactive interpreter
> batteries included
> can integrate with c
> compiles to native code
> can use a gui toolkit such as wx
> doesn't take 60 hour weeks over years to master

Here's a skewed alternative, that has none of the features you are looking for:

1) Buy a development kit for a pic, 8031, avr or arm.
2) Read the documentation for the processor
3) Write a "hello world" in Assembler, simultaneously flickering an LED.

It will give more satisfaction, and delay the onset of Alzheimer's, far more
effectively than any of the higher level languages you are contemplating.

And if you really want a challenge, don't use the assembler, hand code the hex.
Just once.
Just so that you can appreciate what an assembler, and by extension,
a compiler, does for you.

- Happy hacking   ;-)

- Hendrik