Bityi/GSoC: Difference between revisions
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== The basic idea == |
== The basic idea == |
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Why can't people to program in something much closer to their own natural language |
Why can you only program in English-based programming languages? Why can't people to program in something much closer to their own natural language, but have the resulting program be fully portable? |
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== Why does OLPC need this? == |
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If you intend to have a "view source" key that lets any user modify their applications (and more); if you are shipping to the non-English-speaking world; and if the target audience is ALL children; then you need this. Arguably, any two of these factors would not require localized coding; but the combination of all three does. |
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=== But... === |
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* Many non-native English speakers are programmers, and they will generally tell you that English was not a barrier to learning programming for them. After all, "raise string(variable)", while it is composed of English words, makes as much English sense as "lift twine(capricious)". |
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** That's true, but these are a pretty self-selected group. If you intend to expose / teach |
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Revision as of 05:35, 25 March 2008
Note:
This page is currently under heavy work. I plan to have a presentable version by 24:00 UTC, March 25th, and probably before then.
The basic idea
Why can you only program in English-based programming languages? Why can't people to program in something much closer to their own natural language, but have the resulting program be fully portable?
Why does OLPC need this?
If you intend to have a "view source" key that lets any user modify their applications (and more); if you are shipping to the non-English-speaking world; and if the target audience is ALL children; then you need this. Arguably, any two of these factors would not require localized coding; but the combination of all three does.
But...
- Many non-native English speakers are programmers, and they will generally tell you that English was not a barrier to learning programming for them. After all, "raise string(variable)", while it is composed of English words, makes as much English sense as "lift twine(capricious)".
- That's true, but these are a pretty self-selected group. If you intend to expose / teach