thingoid

Part Two: Things 6 -8

In part two we continue to look at what programming languages have in common. (more…)

Five languages were used to demonstrate the eight things programming languages do - Java, Perl, Python, REBOL, and Scheme. (more…)

Part One: Things 1 - 5

When learning computer programming it can be difficult to separate general programming principles from the specific details of one particular language. In some languages the underlying general principles of programming may remain obscured by the sheer volume of information needed just to make a program work. General principles may not emerge until the new programmer has learned two or three other languages.

This article illustrates eight basic programming concepts with examples in five programming languages - Java, Perl, Python, REBOL, and Scheme - which will allow the reader to make comparisons and generalisations. Part one addresses the first five ideas: output, variables, expressions, input, and selection. Part two covers lists, subroutines, and repetition. (more…)