A critique of the advanced placement C++ subset

ABSTRACT

The Educational Testing Service has decided that the Advanced Placement Examination in Computer Science will use the C++ programming language in place of Pascal. They have designed a subset of the language to be used in high school courses. This paper claims that the subset is deficient in two areas: (a) the subset is vague on which language features it contains, and (b) the proposed class library diverges significantly from the draft Standard Library.These problems stem from an attempt to come to terms with non-complying implementations. We believe that the AP C++ subset should be defined on educational criteria alone; software and textbook authors and publishers would then adapt their course material to the language subset.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum

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

          Nouns: C++

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Languages, Management