D vs Java as a first programming language

[Simen Kjaeraas]

On Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:08:18 +0200, Sean Kelly <sean at invisibleduck.org>  
wrote:

> Chad J wrote:
>> Hmmmm, now this may be of zero interest to the OP, but I the appearance  
>> of yet another programming pedagogy thread has caused me to spawn a  
>> crazy idea.
>>  Disclaimer:  This is probably a bad idea.
>>  So what if one of the ways to institutionally teach beginning  
>> programming was to just institutionalize the way I learned how to  
>> program?  You set up an Ultima Online server.  Customize it to cater to  
>> macroing/botting.  So it's kind of like robocode, but more RPGish and  
>> with some obligatory grindy numerical crap that has to be done before  
>> you are actually good at the game.
>
> In my wife's AI course the students built simulated robots which  
> competed in various contests (navigate the maze fastest, etc).  I think  
> it was a fun way to get students interested in the material and think  
> about how to apply it in a practical manner.  This is my succinct way of  
> agreeing with your idea of making courses fun for the students :-)
>
>
> Sean

We're currently doing robocode (http://robocode.sourceforge.net/) in my AI  
classes.  Loadsa fun.

-- 
Simen