From: Jim Freeze <jimfreeze@...>
Date: 2006-12-12T14:40:28+09:00
Subject: Re: Ruby for Kids?

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On Dec 11, 2006, at 9:30 PM, Jeff_M wrote:

>
> Kerry Stevenson wrote:
>> I am wondering if there is a Ruby resource (book, web pages,  
>> whatever)
>> that would be suitable to teach a child who has never programmed
>> anything before.  The pickaxe book, while a terrific resource,  
>> seems to
>> assume at least some basic knowledge of programming and language
>> syntax.
>
> You know, to be honest with you, I would start them off with something
> more like PHP.  It seems like younger kids like to do stuff with web
> pages, and it might be fun.

Baah. My son is started with Chris Pine's book on learning to program  
ruby,
and he loves it (11 now 12 yrs). I'm going to let him go the the  
rails book next.

Ruby is a great environment to learn since the language is so clean.

I think we need a generation of people who cut their teeth on Ruby so
they can 'out the king' and bring enlightenment that languages do not  
need to be
ugly to be fast or useful.

Jim Freeze




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