[GAP] RE: JEWL

[Alec Banks (C1132645)]

Hi All,
This is my first post because I am a part-time MSc Student and don't get time generally. In my full time job I am an Ada / assembler programmer with a few years experience and have very little knowledge of other languages. During one of my modules last year we were required to program some genetic algorithms in either C or Java, when my tutor discovered that I knew no C and very little Java he was aghast and claimed that I would would have difficulty with the assignment. Now I'm not the brightest student but still received the highest grade because my algorithms outperformed those of my peers (I had to code with a Java book sat on my desk). I firmly believe that it was my foundation in Ada and assembler that assisted me in producing more efficient and robust solutions than the other students.
I am now beginning my dissertation and I plan to produce some swarming algorithms for use in UAV control. When I discussed this with my supervisor he wanted me to produce the models in Java but I explained to him that I believed Ada was more appropriate and why. He reluctanctly accepted this but I thought that he really should have acknowledged it more readily.
Anyway, the moral of my ramblings is that I believe that not only is it important for students to learn to program efficiently and robustly but also to understand when (and why) languages such as as Ada are more appropriate and be able to make sound decisions regarding language choice for target applications (also please don't forget lower level languages they still have their place) .
 
Regards
 
Alec Banks
 
P.S. It is heartening to read such enthusiastic postings, it really is so easy to jump on the Java bandwagon.
 

________________________________

From: gap-bounces at gnat.info on behalf of Franco Gasperoni
Sent: Mon 09/05/2005 14:58
To: GNAT Academic Program discussion list
Subject: Re: [GAP] RE: JEWL




Richard is making an important point. I think most of us were drawn to
computer science because it was "fun".

"fun" can mean very different things to different people... from solving
and implementing complex algorithmic problems, to writing compilers, to
writing gui-based apps.

It is important to show that Ada can be used to do gui-based apps in those
circles where programming = doing guis.

Whether we like it or not there are lots of students that like guis :)

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