This paper discusses and provides some preliminary data on errors in APL programming. Data were obtained by analyzing listings of 148 complete and partial APL sessions collected from student terminal rooms at the University of Alberta. Frequencies of errors for the various error messages are tabulated. The data, however, are limited because they…

All the most commonly-used high-level computer languages are discussed in this book. An introductory discussion provides an overview of the basic components of a digital computer, the general planning of a computer programing problem, and the various types of computer languages. Each chapter is self-contained, emphasizes those features of a…

A brief introduction to computer programing explains the basic grammar of computer language as well as fundamental computer techniques. What constitutes a computer program is made clear, then three simple kinds of statements basic to the computational computer are defined: assignment statements, input-output statements, and branching statements. A…

A new approach to teaching COBOL allows the student to test his program on the first or second day of class. (Author/IRT)

Presents data on COBOL syntactical error frequencies and an approach that instructors may use to assist students to avoid errors while learning the COBOL language. (Author)

Discusses the elements of programming style, considering capitalization, variables, constants, format, GOTO statements, user friendliness, and clarity. Although Pascal is used as the example, the information provided is applicable to any programming language. (JN)

Describes features and uses of LogoWriter, a revised and expanded version of Logo. With LogoWriter, a student can not only command the turtle to draw pictures but also (because of a built-in word processor) can add text to the screen. (JN)

Discusses the nature and uses of LOGO programing language with primary children. Sample program listings and the results obtained by primary children are included. (JN)

A study of the kinds of computer programs children write and the types of programming concepts with which they have difficulty. (DAG)

Presents computer-oriented activities which (although requiring a certain level of computer expertise) can be easily adapted for students in any grade. They include creating Pascal limericks, a day of the week calculation worksheet, two LOGO activities (including one used to introduce the building block approach to LOGO programming). (JN)

Describes the strengths and weaknesses of four programing languages (Logo, PILOT, BASIC, Pascal) in terms of the tasks to be performed (task environment), capabilities of the language (programing environment), and skills user wants to develop (user environment). (JN)

This paper discusses five points related to developmental research on children learning to do Logo programming: (1) systematic developmental research documenting what children are learning as they learn to program is necessary; (2) Logo is cognitively complex beyond its early steps and difficult to learn without instructional guidance; (3) the…

Designed for use by computer programming teachers, this booklet presents the concepts of structured programming and provides examples of how to implement this methodology, which provides a systematic way of organizing programs so that even large and complex programs are easier to understand and modify than unstructured programs. After a brief…

A module designed to teach ninth grade students how to write simple machine language programs is offered in this newsletter of the University of Pittsburgh's Project Solo. The first few pages of the newsletter present a rationale for having ninth grade students learn programming, and some programs which were written by such students are presented.…