Wow, thanks everyone! That's exactly what I needed to hear.
Without trying to go too Off-Topic, I just want to add to the "What Comp-Sci depts teach to students": Here at UofWaterloo, in the Faculty of Math, it is a requirement for all undergrads to take CS courses, which for most only means the 'first two'. At the beginning right now, for languages, there are two choices: Java and Scheme. This is split into about 4 different course choices: a slow moving Java class, a faster moving Java class, the '2nd' Java class for those who know what they are doing already, and the Scheme class. Scheme popped up a few years ago because some Profs in the School of Computer Science [which is inside of the Faculty of Math] thought that there needed to be more selection [or something like that]. Anyway, Scheme seems to be a good teaching language. I think so anyway. For beginners, it's easy to use because: 1) Excellent textbook that is completely integrated with our IDE, see HTDP.org and DrScheme.org 2) Language can be broken down into smaller subsets with fewer keywords and simpler syntax - to start out we need to know all of 5 keywords, brackets, and how to properly form the syntax 3) We can KNOW the entire language grammar because it's so short [they test this extensively, eg. "Evaluate by hand this code for 6 steps"] Also, when asked "Why aren't you teaching us language XXYY?" The Profs tell us that they are teaching us how to 'think', so that we can easily learn any language we want, and that if we wanted to learn, say C++, and only C++, we should go to a College for that [Canadian "College" = US "Trade School" ?]. Apparently this way we're more adaptable to changing and new languages. They are teach us how to learn I guess is what it boils down to. And David Mathog mentioned assembly? As far as I know I'll be learning MIPS assembly to write an assembler and small compiler in my 3rd CompSci class. Again, thanks for the tips everyone. Now I've got a pretty clear picture of what I need to get started. C is perfect, because I'm planning on getting involved with the Linux kernel anyway [lurking on the Kernel Janitors maillinglist until I can get more familiar with git, the tree, how patches are submitted, etc]. _______________________________________________ Beowulf mailing list, Beowulf@beowulf.org To change your subscription (digest mode or unsubscribe) visit http://www.beowulf.org/mailman/listinfo/beowulf
