[NTLUG:Discuss] Wanting to speak the language

[Robert Citek]

On Thursday, Feb 24, 2005, at 08:47 US/Central, Steve Baker wrote:
> Robert Citek wrote:
>> For a different twist, I'm wondering if you could learn more than one 
>> language at a time.  In other words, I'm wondering if you could pick 
>> six languages (e.g. bash, perl, C, Java, python, guile) and write a 
>> "Hello World" program in each.   Put a time limit on each (say one 
>> hour) and see how far you get in each.  When the time limit is up, 
>> put it aside and move to the next language.  Then cycle back and put 
>> a limit to the number of times you cycle through the languages, e.g 
>> three times.  Which one finishes first? second? third?
>
> Hmmm - sounds like a *really* good way to confuse the heck out of 
> yourself
> over small language differences!

I look at programming languages a little differently.  I see them more 
analogous to a sport or instrument.  Imagine never playing any sport 
and now you want to learn one.  I'd say pick six sports (e.g. football, 
soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, basketball).  Learn the basic rules and 
play each for about an hour, then try the next.  You're not going to 
become a master, but you will have at least a small introduction to 
each.

Of course, I could be wrong and you're right in that it would only 
confuse someone.

>> Once you've done a "Hello World" program, go into a little more depth 
>> with each language.  For example, next you could explore flow control 
>> by printing a sequence of numbers from say 1 to 100.  Again, if you 
>> have difficulty, find an expert and ask for guidance.
>
> We can save you the trouble...
>
> Here is a web site with "Hello World" written in over 200 languages:
>
>     http://www2.latech.edu/~acm/HelloWorld.shtml

Then pick a couple and write them in a different way.  I looked at a 
couple and I know I'd write them differently (why the infinite loops?). 
  For example, awk:

   http://www2.latech.edu/~acm/helloworld/awk.html

I'd write it like so:

   awk 'BEGIN { print "Hello World" }'

Is it just me that thinks that they look remarkably similar?

Regards,
- Robert
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