Phil's OO Ruby Blog

Friday, June 29, 2007

Taxonomy of Problems in Teaching Java

At the suggestion of Prof. Horstmann I am am looking at recognized weaknesses in Java L1, L3, and L4 to see if Ruby "does better" and if it is a *more* "excellent implementation of the OO paradigm".

Thursday, April 26, 2007

The Ruby Way

"The Ruby Way" (Hal Fulton) really is so helpful with this study, it compares OOP features of Ruby with Java in an introduction to the subject.

Fact learned: Ruby does not implement Multiple Inheritance (the functionality usually achieved by this is achieved by mixins and modules).

... oh yes, and no "Abstract Classes"

It contains three further sections on "static" OOP and "dynamic" OOP.

A very good book for someone who is interested in further detail about Ruby. (more detail then Programming Ruby (a.k.a "The Pickaxe Book") (Dave Thomas et. al.)

Much more expertise coming from further reading...

Thursday, April 12, 2007

listening to what's being said

Today, I am trawling through newsgroup/mailing-lists for experiences and findings that are related to my conjectures. These are: ruby-talk

196754: Ruby for Highschoolers?
184541: Are college professors teaching computer science with ruby?
204108: OO Paradigm and Ruby Exercises for a Beginner
196754: Ruby for Highschoolers?
238613: Getting my sister to learn programming

Also,

I must find what is a common 'base set' of concepts that must be grasped/taught to grasp/teach the OO paradigm.

It looks like I will be then making a comparison of these concept's demonstration with Java and Ruby.

Also,

Looks like I will take a stab at Scheme since it keeps coming up in teaching programming... (including DrScheme, Squeak)

Friday, February 16, 2007

Updated Conjectures

These conjectures and target achievements are very rough!!!

OO Concepts with Ruby Conjectures and Achievements

I've also got some code but I have to check if it's OK to make comparisons by rewriting other code... waiting on this.

Also, am waiting to confirm exactly what time line I'm on for this project. Now that I'm in Seattle (and it's raining) it seems easier to get some work done! :-)

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Books on *Teaching* OOP Programming

...lots of books that teach one about OOP, where's a book that teaches how to teach OOP? There would never be a book about that, too many ways to do it, and most professors would have their own.

Probably will look at CS curriculum suggestions for what are some of the usual OOP concepts that must be taught (in whatever language).

Literature Review

My thoughts have now turned to where OOP programming fits in a CS curriculum. My ACM Digital Libarary searches are 'CS Curriculum' and 'Teaching OOP'.

I'm seeking to know what questions others have posed when comparing two languages for the purpose of teaching OOP. C++ --> Java for example... a transition that has happened in many cases it seems in the last 5 years.

Oh yes, how about some more time to think about these things :-)

Monday, September 25, 2006

Tertiary Writing....

I went to the UMAC library and picked up "Assignment & Thesis Writing, 3rd Edition" by Jonathan Anderson and Millicent Poole.

Really need this to get a grip on what the total finished product is going to look like. So very useful. Still reading.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

My Experience Too