Re: LOGO-L> Software

[Chuck Shavit <CShavit@MagicSquare.com>]

George Mills wrote:

> I don't think the issues of less "professional" code are being understood
> correctly.
> It's not that those with concern think all students should become
> programmers.
> 
> But many of the things you learn as a software *Engineer* are very useful in
> dealing
> many disciplines.

I agree to everything George said, and would like to add a few words.
There are probably many good reasons to teach programming to kids in middle
and high school.  I think most educators would agree that there is value in
it, but they would differ on what that value is.  

To me, one of the most important reason to teach programming to kids is to
expose them to engineering disciplines.  There is a very big difference
between engineering approach and scientific or artisic approach to doing
something. My definition of engineering work (applies to all engineering
activities): an engineer wants to get an *optimal* design, given a set of
constraints ($, time etc).  An artist or a scientist seeks to get the best
or prettiest, in however time it takes.  As a programming job becomes
bigger than what one person can do in a few days, engineering discipline
should better be applied to it, or else it might get out of hand.

Chuck Shavit
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