Java as a first language: an evaluation

ABSTRACT

In this note, we outline some issues raised in considering the use of the programming language Java^TM to support a first course in software development. The course - essentially CS 1 - is centered on the design and implementation of simple objects, and employs an iterative specify/design/implement/test strategy to introduce data design and traditional procedural concepts. We enumerate some aspects of the Java language that attracted our interest, and identify some areas of the language design that could be modified to better meet our needs in an introductory computer science course.

REFERENCES

• 1: Ada 95 Reference Manual, Intermetrics, Inc., 1995.
• 2: The Java^TM Language Specification, Version 1.0 Beta, Sun Microsystems, Inc., 1995.
• 3: Edsger W. Dijkstra, The humble programmer, Communications of the ACM, v.15 n.10, p.859-866, Oct. 1972 [doi>10.1145/355604.361591]
• 4: Hosch, F. A., and Niño, J., "An Introductory Software Development Sequence based on the Object Oriented Paradigm," ftp://cs.uno.edu/pub/fred/oo-intro-sequence.ps
• 5: Hosch, F. A., "Intro to computer science - an oo approach with Java," ftp://cs.uno.edu/pub/fred/cs1583-java.ps
• 6: Bertrand Meyer, Object-Oriented Software Construction, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1988
• 7: Bertrand Meyer, Eiffel: the language, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1992

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: Java

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Training

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages, Verification