To be presented at the 35th Annual ACM Southeast Conference
Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 2-4, 1997

The Case for Java as a First Language

K. N. King

Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303
knking@gsu.edu To download this paper in PostScript form, click here.

Abstract - Java could well be the answer to the problem of choosing an appropriate language for the first programming course. This paper looks at the pros and cons of teaching Java, concluding that Java appears to have outstanding prospects for computer science education in general and the first programming course in particular. In particular, the paper argues that the properties that make Java a suitable Internet language also make it excellent for classroom use.

1. Introduction

2. Java as a Teaching Language

3. Java's Support for GUI Programming

4. Other Advantages of Java

5. Disadvantages of Java

6. After Java, What?

7. Experiences So Far

8. Conclusion

References

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