[ale] [OT] First Programming Language for Adult??

[Tom Freeman]

To chip, Ed, leam, Jay, JD, and Stephen in particular - thank you very 
much. I will be passing full text on for her consideration.

In summary, Python & Java (in that order) are considered solid first 
languages. Go is of significant interest. Language direction after that 
is pretty much go where life leads, although MS Access does get a down 
check in comments.

I haven't dug properly into the links suggested, but the digging at this 
point says they are solid - as expected from this group.

Thank you to one and all for the use of your bandwidth

On Thu, 29 May 2014, Tom Freeman wrote:

>
> My apologies for using up people's bandwidth for something not really 
> linux, but this list is the best resource I know of for access to 
> computer people with an insane breadth of backgrounds and opinions. And 
> they are willing to share.
>
> A few days ago my daughter asked for an opinion as to a computer 
> language for her to learn. No, she doesn't have a project in mind, which 
> would have at least focused the discussion a little bit. She is a 
> university librarian, however, should that have any bearing on the 
> discussion. She has access to a moderate amount of materials for 
> "Alice", which apparently her school uses for programming introduction.
>
> My advice, which should be considered highly flawed, was to take 
> advantage of the "Alice" materials as a first, quick step. Follow that 
> with perhaps either some work in Python or Java, with the Java due to 
> her constant involvement in tiny web projects.
>
> If the Python or Java settles, and the itch continues, I was suggesting 
> a second language, possibly data base oriented for the library work, or 
> something derived from either FORTH or LISP for the mind expansion 
> properties. As yet another alternative - cshell(?) since she prefers the 
> macintoy.
>
> (I had a relative utterly in love with FORTH and very good at it also. 
> Unfortunately, he thought _everybody_ should program in it... Not a very 
> successful idea unfortunately.)
>
> The multipart question here seems to be:
> 1) Is there a proper solid resource for building some programming skill 
> that I should have know about and don't?
> 2) Did I suggest a moderately reasonable approach in the eyes of people 
> who _actaully_ program?
> 3) Is there probably a better approach I should have known about?
>
> Thanks to all for the use of their bandwidth.
>
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