From: culter@convex.com (Brad Culter)
Subject: Re: Scientists as Programmers (was Re: Small Language Wanted)
Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1992 06:19:33 GMT
Organization: Engineering, CONVEX Computer Corp., Richardson, Tx., USA
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by a user at CONVEX Computer
              Corp. The opinions expressed are those of the user and
              not necessarily those of CONVEX.

In article <Bu9FB3.BDK@world.std.com> jkenton@world.std.com (Jeff Kenton) writes:
>In article <1992Sep3.123432.18806@bony1.bony.com> richieb@bony1.bony.com (Richard Bielak) writes:
>>Someone said earlier in this thread that "It is easier to teach a
>>physics student to program, than it is to teach CS student physics."
>>
>>This is just the kind of thing a physicist would say :-).
>>
>>A computer scientist would say that "It is easier to teach physics to
>>a CS student, than it is to teach a physics student to program."
>>
>
>
>As a physicist by training (MS, almost a PhD) and a programmer for
>over 20 years, it's clear to me that it is difficult to teach anyone
                                            ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>to program.  Everyone picks up the basics in their first class, but
 ^^^^^^^^^^

	Why? This has been a long-standing question for me, and one
        for which I have yet seen adequate theory. I can recall actually
	"learning" calculus, biochemistry, and physics, 
	etc., but I cannot recall "learning" to program in the same
	way. My experience, not unlike others I've met, was that
	programming came more naturally to me than walking did.
	It was more like breathing, i.e., almost a "reflex" to
	the situation of being given a problem to solve and a tool
	(computer language) to solve it. 

	I wish I could understdand why this kind of thinking was
	so natural to me, whereas thinking effectively for physical
	chemistry was so damn difficult. So is learning the piano.

         
>few get really good.  Even the stars take a while.  They may claim to
>have written a whole compiler in their first semester, but you wouldn't
>enjoy reading the code.  And some CS students write code that looks
>like it came from the physics department, even after 10 years of work
>experience.
>
>Some people are just better than others.

	Again, why? Although, knowing the answer will probably
	do nothing but satisfy my curiosity.

	Just to make  this elavent to Comp.arch. I've seen even
	fewer really good computer architects than I have seen
	really good programmers. I would like to know why this
	is true too. Also, whether computer architecture is
	qualitatively different than traditional (building) architecture.
	I.M. Pei is a world-renowned architect who also has
	a reputation for designing buildings that nearly can't
	be built, often requiring new technology to be invented
	on the spot by the construction engineers. I think if
	a computer architect did this, she or he would be forced
	to change careers.
	
>
>
>-- 
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------
>=			Jeff Kenton	(617) 894-4508			=
>=			    jkenton@world.std.com			=
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------


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