Kid Programming Language (KPL)
There is a new article out about KPL, or the Kid Programming Language.
This is a really neat idea that is being supported by Microsoft and was recently featured on the Coding4Fun site on MSDN.
I have played with this some and the syntax is very much like Visual Basic however the IDE it comes with is much simpler and targeted at young kids.
My oldest son has just turned six so this might be a bit to advance for him in a few years I can see real possibilities in our household.
If you have kids, or are just curious check out the free download.
Comments
- Anonymous
September 30, 2005
The comment has been removed - Anonymous
October 02, 2005
The comment has been removed - Anonymous
October 02, 2005
"It's languages like KPl that give VB programmers a bad reputation..."
Exactly what I was driving at... unfortunately, becasue of the similarity in syntax, certain morons WILL make a connection; albeit a pointless one as you point out. - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
The comment has been removed - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
>"It's languages like KPl that give VB programmers a bad reputation..."
>>Exactly what I was driving at... unfortunately, becasue of the similarity in syntax, certain morons WILL make a connection; albeit a pointless one as you point out.
To the point of a pointless connection, my 1 1/2 year old daughter (staying fair and balanced in the family) speaks a language that similar to English. It is not the same language that my wife and I speak but she is learning. One day she will learn to speak correct English.
Since her speech is so similar to English maybe I should start speaking Latin because some one might think English is kiddie.
Saying VB is a kidde language because KPL has a similar syntax is just as stupid as my arguement about my daughter and English.
If KPL teaches kids to use computers, helps them to understand programming, and helps them to learn to think logically why not do it because a few morans will make stupid arguement?
People need to stop debating what programming language is right and use the one that they like and leave others to use what works for them. Why doesn't anyone debate which language is better French or English? - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
I used Turbo Pascal in college, COBOL for my first job, then on to VB, ASP, VB.NET, PHP, and C++.
Your first language establishes a comfort level, nothing more. The rest comes down to the type of person. Some people like to know only one language and know it well. Others like myself, learn as much as possible so we don't have to deal with limitations to progress. - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
The comment has been removed - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
Brad,
A frekin Men!!! I fully applaud your defending of KPL. Anything that exposes kids to something new and different and that, in this case, requires them to exercise their logical side of their brain is wonderful. I bet we start to see our school systems start teaching this! In fact, I am going to volunteer to do just that! I started in Cobol, ALC, and VB3. Those that say VB isn't a real programming languauge should get a life... - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
I got a question as a student who's just about 1.5 semesters away from heading into the real world.
It seems to me that there is a real stigma against VB and VB.NET programmers. As far as i have seen (and from my understanding of the .net platform) VB.NET is just as capable as C#, with more or less the main difference being different syntax. I think they have the same capabilities and same libraries available to them. Now at higher levels (that i havnt reached as yet ) there may be differences, but for the most part VB.NET and C# can develop equally complex and functional software and services.
So then why are there a significant number of people who tend to look down on vb.net programmers ? I would expect programmers, specially those with experience to understand that the language is very very capable and perhaps the only real difference is its 'easier' syntax for newcomers. - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
Seems from some of the comments that VB programmers are all too happy to behave like kids when it suits them... perhaps that is the reason for the similarity?
Personally I think there are limits to how a "Kids" language can look and so if it looks "Similar" to something else with an "English - Like" syntax so what - what you expect it to look like? Surely it is better for it to have some resemblance to a "Real" programming language than to be something like LOGO and a Turtle?
I have seen some excellent stuff written in VB and if it's a bit quicker and easier to do a short program than other languages so much the better, why would anyone be offended? You don't expect little league players to take on the major league players, but surely you do expect the game to have some similar rules and for the younger ones to have decent learning materials and guidance. By guidance I mean training in the game, not in how to throw a tantrum :)
Sorry if anyone is offended but I see no reason at all to look down upon anyone for their choice of programming language, silly beahviour of course is another matter :)
Charlie - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
This is very curious to me that people believe that programming is only useful and 'manly' if it hard. I don't understand this logic at all. A tool, any tool, is invented to make a job easier. Do you say someone is not a craftsman if s/he uses an electric drill or saw? I use the tool necessary to do the job, sometimes that is c++ sometimes that is VB sometimes that is VBScript or JavaScript. I think it is silly that we are still discussing whether VB is really a 'Mans' programming language or not.
My first programming was machine language, yes 4E, C2, 6F... using a teletype machine and paper tape storage... now I will go do my daily weight lifting.
Gregg - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
Actually I can't wait for my 3yr old to grow a little older and have him experience programming. I agree with the previous post that you use what is the best tool. If you get stuck with one language then you will only see things from that language's perspective. (When all you have is a hammer everything looks like a nail). VB6 was my first language then I migrated to .NET (VB and C#) and I picked up C++ and Java at school. I have to say that VB is by far the easiest and for the type of programming I do the most powerful. Now, if I went to work for Unisoft or Adobe, then I would probably have to write on C++ or even lower level languages because of the versatility of C++ with graphics and similar technology. But we go back to the same point, what is it that you need done and what is the easiest, more practical and powerful tool to accomplish it.
That's my two cents. Now I have 98 cents in my pocket. - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
I'm one of the guys working on Kid's Programming Language. Thanks for blogging, Brad, and thanks to everyone for the comments! You've all made a bunch of our points for us - let me only add our guiding principal for KPL: "Learning is best when learning is fun!" - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
If anyone is interested in Kid languages, there is a fantastic Kids language called squeak that enables children to draw on a pallette and then wire events up to there drawing using a drag and drop interface or pallette of objects from other people. the neat thing is, that as the children progress from grade to grade they start to use more advanced features until one day someone takes off the covers and they discover they have been using a programming language for years... those wacky smalltalk guys! - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
oops herer is the URL for Squeak
http://www.squeak.org.. its free and small try it out. - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
The comment has been removed - Anonymous
October 03, 2005
I believe KPL is a good initiative and it should be considered just as that. If kids/teens can learn to program at early age with a language as intuitive as then they can become better programmers. Even programming with KPL would enhance their skills and IQ levels.
Lets appreciate the good things! - Anonymous
October 04, 2005
With 2 kids I have to use a variety of activities to exercise their mind: math puzzles, board games (e.g. Clue) and tinkering with various programming languages (haven't found one they like). Like the other working programmers in this blog we may be multilingual but have preferences. For kids, if the language is "too manly" they'll turn a deaf ear. A Kids PL needs to be easy entry into programming and still provide ways to add more powerful features as they learn without overwhelming them. Also can this run on simplier kids PCs that may are in our schools (Win98) and install on less than 5 MB? - Anonymous
October 05, 2005
The comment has been removed - Anonymous
October 08, 2005
Great Idea, KPL. I would want to give it to my kids when they reach that age! - Anonymous
October 12, 2005
At the end of this month I'm going to be a father. I've always been an shade tree programmer myself and I find it strangely relaxing. I hope to pass this on to my kid too. I'm a philosophy student by trade, but programming helps me in that it is the ultimate in critical thinking and problem solving.
KPL sounds like a great idea, but I think I'm just going to start my kid off on assembly language. That way anything else they could encounter will be childs play... - Anonymous
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