System Description as a Starting-Point for Teaching Simula

Abstract

In the first part of the paper it is shown by an example how system description can be used as a starting point for teaching SIMULA to beginners. The system description techniques used are based upon the philosophy developed in connection with the DELTA language.

In the second part of the paper it is argued why system description - as shown in the example - should be used as a starting point for teaching programming, and, having chosen this line of approach to the teaching process, why SIMULA is a good choice of programming language. Various requirements are imposed upon the planning and teaching of a programming course. These requirements are primarily derived from the connection between production, qualification and education. Secondly they are derived from the educational context of the programming course and from the knowledge and methods that have been developed in different areas of computer science. It is argued that these requirements can be met in the planning and teaching of a programming course, when using system description as a starting point. The paper was presented at the Fourth Simula Users Conference at Leeuwenhorst Congres Center, Holland, September 1976.