On 19/01/11 3:51 PM, Stas Malyshev wrote:
Hi!
If anything, I would argue that PHP is a language unsuited to beginners (and
other
scripting languages), as it is so flexible it doesn't enforce good programming
practice. Java is much more a 'beginner language' because it has much stricter
Contrary to popular belief, people usually don't start with programming to be
taught good practices and become enlightened in the ways of Art. They usually
start because they need their computers to do something for them. And scripting
languages are often the easiest way to make that happen.
Java, on the other hand, forces you to deal with exceptions, patterns,
interfaces,
generics, covariants and contravariants, locking, etc. which you neither want
nor
need to know, only because somebody somewhere decided that it's right for you.
Yeah, well, I was playing Devil's advocate and went a bit far (as you
have too--arguing is fun, isn't it?).
On a more serious note, I think what is much more helpful for beginners
is a good teacher, or good materials to learn from. Almost any language
can be a good one for beginners if taught well. Including PHP; indeed I
have recommended and taught people PHP as beginners without much
trouble. And Java.
At any rate, the important thing is that beginners shouldn't hold a good
language back, particularly if the innovations are not obligatory for
them to use.
Smiles,
Ben.
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