[Tutor] Question

[David Hutto]

On Sat, Jun 19, 2010 at 4:56 AM, Steven D'Aprano <steve at pearwood.info> wrote:
> On Sat, 19 Jun 2010 01:55:05 pm Independent Learner wrote:
>
>> ~I was wondering if I should try to learn 2 programming languages at
>> once, Python and C++.
>
> I don't know. That depends on you.
>
> How much time do you have to spend on learning the languages? If it's
> one hour a week, you'll have trouble learning *one* language, never
> mind two.
>
> It really depends on you, and since we don't know you, we can't answer
> that.
>
> Alan has said "No" because Python and C++ have radically different
> programming models, and suggested that you should consider two
> languages that are much more similar such as Python and Ruby. I don't
> know about that... I think I'd much rather learn two different
> languages, so that I could compartmentalise "these are Python rules"
> and "these are C++ rules", rather constantly mixing up Python and Ruby
> syntax and idioms and getting them confused. But your mileage may
> vary -- maybe you're more like Alan than me.
>
>
>> Yea I took an intro to comp sci class(like 2 years ago) and a
>> computer programming logic class(also like 2 years ago) both
>> using pseudocode
>
> Good grief! How do they teach a class in computer programming using
> pseudocode??? That's like teaching somebody to cook by handing them
> Playdough and a toy oven that doesn't even get warm!
>
>
>> and have since dabbled in C(I started a programming
>> class for school but dropped out twice after about 1/3 of  the
>> semester, for two consecutive semesters about 9 months ago) So here I
>> am, a computer engineering major failure who had to change my major
>> to Physics so I wouldn't have to take all those dammed comp sci
>> classes Figured I could just teach myself. I mention this because I
>> want to make clear I have the logic and critical thinking skills
>> down, and in my opinion the aptitude as well.
>
> I don't mean to be negative, but if you've dropped out of a programming
> course *twice*, and then changed your major to avoid programming,
> perhaps you're not cut out for programming?

I see your point, but I place quitting learning as synonymous with
quiting smoking, the higher the rate at which you go back to
something, means you have a desire to achieve the activity, so the
repetition of attempts means they have the desire, and will have a
higher 'receptive potential' than those that are forced to learn.

Obviously I don't know you,
> maybe you have good reasons for dropping out unrelated to your ability
> and intelligence, but speaking as a stranger, when you say "Hey guys, I
> have a history of dropping out of a basic programming courses, but
> don't worry, I've got the aptitude to be a programmer", it doesn't
> really fill me with confidence. Perhaps that's something you should
> keep more to yourself until *after* you've proven you do have the
> chops?
>
>
>
> --
> Steven D'Aprano
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