[Tutor] New blog that has solution for python programs

[Danny Yoo]

Steven says:

>> I don't think "what the authors might want" is the only factor here.
>> Personally, I think these programming challenge sites probably do more
>> harm than good, discouraging people that they're not good enough to be a
>> programmer because they can't solve the (often exceedingly tricky)
>> problems on their own.

[cut]

>> They're fine for people who *enjoy* this sort of challenge, but I
>> believe that for every one of them, there are probably a hundred or a
>> thousand programmers who do not enjoy these challenges, who are
>> discouraged by them, but who would learn a lot from being able to read
>> and re-use the solutions.
>>
>> That's just my opinion. People may disagree.


Hi Steven,

Yes, that's a good point.  I do need to be careful of myself: I have a
strong tendency to think in terms of black and white.

Thanks for keeping me honest.


I think the kind and the quality of the problem is a big factor.  If
it's of the vanilla, intro-to-programming variety, I think caution is
warranted.  If it's a more difficult programming challenge problem,
then because it has enough density and complexity, the problem won't
just fall apart like cotton candy from discussing it, so that's ok
too.

The source of the problem also contributes another dimension.  If it's
coming from a book like Steven Skiena's "Programming Challenges", then
I think it's perfectly ok to share and reuse solutions.  If it's
coming from some university homework problem set, I have some
reservations.


This topic is very much in the zeitgeist, by the way:

    https://thenextweb.com/dd/2017/05/30/lets-teach-computer-science-students-to-cheat/#.tnw_YelJZVuo

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/us/computer-science-cheating.html?_r=2


> Thank you all for your views. I was hesitating for the same reason. Now I'm
> clear that I shouldn't go for a blog that gives straightforward solution
> for the challenges.

Meena, I do want to add: if you do something like this, focus on the
process rather than the end-solution, because that's the part that's
worthwhile.


Good luck!