Re: My First Computer

[Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net>]

To summarize and extend:

Lee Hart wrote:
> What does a computer need to be a great learning tool? One that can
> capture a person's imagination; make him/her *want* to learn more?
> Here are some ideas:
>
> 1. It needs a built-in easy-to-use programming language.
	- some version of LOGO (for very young pre-literate kids)
	- some version of BASIC (for older kids)
	- source for the BASIC and LOGO, written in a better language
	  (like C?), so they can be studied, extended, and modified

I think the next critical tool is:

2. A machine-language development environment
	- editor
	- assembler
	- debugger

This allows one to get at the machine-code level, both for learning and
because there are certain tasks where speed and memory requirements
force you to use it.

I would imagine users would progress from BASIC to C to assembler as
their interests and abilities grew.

A lot could be learned from modern software development tools used for
today's microcontrollers. Languages like FORTH also offer some very
interesting ideas, like incremental assembly and compilation.
-- 
Lee A. Hart                Ring the bells that still can ring
814 8th Ave. N.            Forget your perfect offering
Sartell, MN 56377 USA      There is a crack in everything
leeahart_at_earthlink.net  That's how the light gets in - Leonard Cohen