Re: university studies?

[Muzaffer Ozakca]

I don't think, one should learn all the "hot" languages of the day to
become a good programmer. A computer science student should (and will)
learn the theoretical background that lays beneath. Data structures,
graph theory, computational linguistics, compiler theory, OS, AI, so on.
Practical studies such as programming projects will let the students
solid the theory. These thoughts are not actually mine, most of the
computer science departments -more or less- follow a cirriculum
appreciating these ideas, I think. However, a kernel (or systems)
programmer should also know basics of microprocessors, interrupts, etc.
and programming in assembly, besides the theory given in a university.

After getting the theory and completing the understanding by practice,
learning a programming language is just a detail. Always solving
problems "C" style, may not be the best approach, a functional language
may better suit the needs -usually not in our course.

As far I could see, kernel programming (talking about the whole)
requires the use of computer science, heavily.

Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams wrote:
> 
> On Thu, 2 Aug 2001, Riley Williams wrote:
> 
> > One thing I will add, from long experience: If you learned BASIC
> > first, then learn Pascal BEFORE you try to learn C or C++ as you'll
> > come out a much better programmer than trying to learn C or C++
> > directly after BASIC.
> 
> Once you've finished learning BASIC, unlearn all the crap you won't need for
> Pascal.
> 
> Also, add Python for good programming style (or replace BASIC and Pascal
> with it entirely if you're feeling brave) and some sort of FP to sharpen your
> pure algorithmic skills. If you don't want to go into full-fledged Lisp, then
> take a look at XSLT.
> 
> PHP is good if you're going to do anything web-oriented, but it's very similar
> to C, so...
> 
> Also, Perl doesn't hurt, but I've found that it isn't entirely neccessary if
> you can deal with sed and awk, which I also suggest you pick up.
> 
> --
> Ignacio Vazquez-Abrams  <[e-mail]>
> 
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-- 
Muzaffer Ozakca
Researcher/Software Engineer  -  [e-mail]
TUBITAK-Bilten-ODTU - Communications Systems and Comp. Networks Group
ODTU, Ankara, Turkey
http://www.bilten.metu.edu.tr   tel: [phone]