Computer Science Lab

$15, Win

Teaches: programming

CTR Review

This curriculum offers three programming experiences: programming an HP calculator, assembly language for an 8 bit microprocessor and the high-level C++ language. The Help menus function as "how-to" textbook/tutorials in HTML form. You just read them and follow the directions to learn how to write programs in each of the languages. This means keeping two windows open at once, unless you print out the tutorial, but this wasn't a big problem. The text is straightforward but is most appropriate for advanced students. Pictures are integrated into the tutorial and the programming environments simulate reality, for instance, the onscreen graphing calculator is interactive. Among other things, students will learn how to program a scrolling electronic signboard and also a robotic mouse in a maze. All of the necessary software development tools (editors, compilers and debuggers) are provided for each language. Once you've finished learning the techniques, you can use the tools to write original programs of your own design. Note that this is a no-nonsense, step-by-step curriculum for the serious student. Also on the CD are a white paper on the history of computing and a supplemental graphing program called GraphIt. This is a heck of a lot of content for $15. We gave it to a computer systems administrator who thought it was "brilliantly" done, especially the way concepts were dealt with in a historical fashion. Our expert noted that the programs are quite rigid or linear, and students will have to go through each and every word of the tutorial to get the most out of the program. Still, if students complete this program, they'll come away with a solid understanding of some of programming's most important concepts.