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Selecting the “right” programming language

Published: 01 February 1982 Publication History
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    With the diversity of high-level programming languages available, selecting the “right” one for a computer science curriculum or course can be a befuddling process. For a multitude of reasons, such as the manner in which students approach problems to the utilization of scarce computing resources, the ramifications of a decision on the choice of a programming language are significant throughout a computer science curriculum. The purpose of this paper is to provide information relevant to the selection process. Particular attention is given to COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal, PL-1, and Snobol; both qualitative and quantitative factors are considered. The quantitative results were obtained from processing a binary tree insertion and retrieval algorithm in each language. The machine resources used for this algorithm are given for both interpreter and compiler versions of translators for each language.

    References

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    J. W. Atwood and E. Regener, "Teaching Subsets of Pascal", Proceedings Twelfth SIGCSE Technical Symposium, pp. 96-103 (1981).
    [2]
    Austing et al, "Curriculum '78: Recommendations for the Undergraduate Program in Computer Science", CACM, 22, pp. 147-166 (1979).
    [3]
    H. J. Boom and E. D. Jong, "A Critical Comparison of Several Programming Language Implementations", Software-Practice and Experience, 10, pp. 435-473 (1980).
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    R. L. Ernst and P. S. Wang, "Experimental Measurement of Program Efficiency", ACM 1977 CSC Conference (1977).
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    W. A. Harrison and K. I. Magel, "A Suggested Course in Introductory Computer Programming", Proceedings Twelfth SIGCSE Technical Symposium, pp. 50-56 (1981).
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    D. E. Knuth, The Art of Computer Programming, 3, Sorting and Searching, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA (1973).
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    J. G. Meinke and J. A. Beidler, "Alternatives to the Traditional First Course in Computing", Proceedings Twelfth SIGCSE Technical Symposium, pp. 57-60 (1981).
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    cover image ACM Conferences
    SIGCSE '82: Proceedings of the thirteenth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
    February 1982
    271 pages
    ISBN:0897910672
    DOI:10.1145/800066
    • cover image ACM SIGCSE Bulletin
      ACM SIGCSE Bulletin  Volume 14, Issue 1
      Proceedings of the 13th SIGCSE symposium on Computer science education
      February 1982
      278 pages
      ISSN:0097-8418
      DOI:10.1145/953051
      Issue’s Table of Contents
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    Publication History

    Published: 01 February 1982

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    Author Tags

    1. Cobol
    2. Fortran
    3. PL-1
    4. Pascal
    5. Programming languages
    6. Snobol
    7. Spitbol

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    • (2020)Dual-Modality Instruction and LearningProceedings of the 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education10.1145/3328778.3366865(818-824)Online publication date: 26-Feb-2020
    • (2020)The First Programming Language and Freshman Year in Computer Science: Characterization and Tips for Better Decision MakingTrends and Innovations in Information Systems and Technologies10.1007/978-3-030-45697-9_16(162-174)Online publication date: 18-May-2020
    • (2020)Teaching Computer Languages in UniversitiesEncyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies10.1007/978-3-030-10576-1_49(1664-1668)Online publication date: 14-Jun-2020
    • (2020)Programming Language Selection for University CoursesEncyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies10.1007/978-3-030-10576-1_131(1356-1367)Online publication date: 14-Jun-2020
    • (2019)Effects of Code Representation on Student Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Programming2019 IEEE Symposium on Visual Languages and Human-Centric Computing (VL/HCC)10.1109/VLHCC.2019.8818762(127-131)Online publication date: Oct-2019
    • (2019)Teaching Computer Languages in UniversitiesEncyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies10.1007/978-3-319-60013-0_49-1(1-5)Online publication date: 6-Jun-2019
    • (2019)Programming Language Selection for University CoursesEncyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies10.1007/978-3-319-60013-0_131-1(1-12)Online publication date: 13-Apr-2019
    • (2009)Processing language in introduction to computer science honors (CS110h)Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges10.5555/1629036.162904725:2(72-78)Online publication date: 1-Dec-2009
    • (2008)A Brief History of Choosing First Programming LanguagesHistory of Computing and Education 3 (HCE3)10.1007/978-0-387-09657-5_11(167-170)Online publication date: 2008
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