CISE Educational Infrastructure: Can We Unify the Programming Curriculum?

小行星9414170 编程建立在两种互补的计算模型之上：植根于数学逻辑的代数模型和植根于电气工程的物理模型。 计算机入门课程通常只教授这两种模型中的一种和一种相关的语言。 专门用于代数模型的课程教授Scheme，专门用于物理模型的课程通常教授C，C++或Pascal。 这两种方法都有很强的论据。 代数模型更适合教授编程概念和问题解决方法的分类，因为它更简单，更通用。 另一方面，物理模型为软件市场提供了更好的准备，它公开了底层机器的结构，这在某些应用程序中很重要。 这两种模式之间的竞争已经分裂了编程课程--降低了课程标准化，破坏了课程之间的接口。 为了利用这两种模式的优势，并统一编程课程，莱斯大学计算机科学系建议开发所需的课程材料和软件工具，以支持整个编程课程中两种模式的协同组合。 这些课程材料和软件工具将支持： 1)一门新的计算机入门课程，教授计算模型、它们的相互关系以及支持它们的语言（Scheme和C）; 2)将代数模型整合到传统上侧重于物理模型的高级软件系统课程中。 ***

9414170 Cartwright Programming is founded on two complementary models of computation: as algebraic model rooted in mathematical logic and a physical model grounded in electrical engineering. Introductory computing courses typically teach only one of these two models and an associated language. Courses devoted to the algebraic model teach Scheme and courses devoted to the physical model usually teach C, C++, or Pascal. There are strong arguments for both approaches. The algebraic model is better for teaching a taxonomy of programming concepts and problem solving methods because it is simpler and more general. On the other hand, the physical model provides better preparation for the software marketplace and it exposes the structure of the underlying machine, which is important in some applications. The competition between these two models has split the programming curriculum -- diminishing course standardization and undermining the interfaces between courses. To exploit the strengths of both models and unify the programming curriculum, the Computer Science faculty at Rice University proposes to develop the curricular materials and software tools required to support the synergistic combination of the two models throughout the programming curriculum. These curricular materials and software tools will support: 1) a new introductory computing course that teaches both models of computation, their interrelationship, and languages that support them (Scheme and C); and 2) the integration of the algebraic model into upper level software systems courses that have traditionally focused on the physical model. ***