Switching a Programming Language

[Greg McKaskle]

Computer Science should be, and typically is, more focused on language concepts than on a particular language or tool.

I've been programming for over thirty years and I've used C/C++ more often than any other language. But C was just one introductory semester of my degree plan. Other languages were simply better for studying other concepts. Learning additional languages will often round out your view of a concept by seeing different approaches to the same concepts. The result of this approach is that you are prepared to learn and adopt new languages, even invent or extend languages if needed. There is no single ideal language, so the ability to learn and compare language features and avoid dogma and fads is a key skill to develop.

As an example, LV makes it very easy to do multitasking with less syntax and more safety. Make a parallel loop or branch a wire and you've specified that you will allow both operations to occur simultaneously. Merge the data back at a node and you have expressed a synchronization point. These operations are far more difficult and error prone using thread libraries. But of course there are concepts that are more elegant in C/C++ or in Java than in LV. Alan Turing described the elements of completeness many decades ago. All of these languages and libraries are equivalent in capability but differ in what they choose to make simple.

My advice is not the same for each person. If you want to go into computer science, try to learn two of the languages and focus on the concepts more than the syntax. If you plan on a different major, then learn one of the languages. A computer is an extremely useful tool. If you know how to program it, it is a far more useful tool. If you are a computer scientist/engineer, it is not only your tool, but also your raw material that you integrate and shape into whatever you need to deliver.

While the materials for FRC may be sufficient, good books are worth their weight in precious metals. I won't attempt to recommend a particular book, but if you are wanting to learn LV and how it is used in engineering, here is a somewhat dated, but still valuable list. http://hannahsmac.magnet.fsu.edu/lab...viewbooks.html

If you are able to program a robot in both LV and C, you are off to a great start, and your desire to teach others on you team is a great approach to building a sustainable team. Good luck with it, and if you have any other questions please ask.

Greg McKaskle