Scripting Language As An Alternative For Providing A Gentle Learning Curve In Programming: A Case Of Java And Python

ABSTRACT

In computing studies, students learn a number of computing aspects, one of them being computer programming. Computer programming can be taught in different approaches and in different languages. Each approach or language has its own strengths and weaknesses. The discussion on this research was based on determining the language that has more features for providing a gentle learning curve to a first time learner. This research was conducted through an experimental approach whereby participants were assigned randomly in experimental and control groups. The experimental group was taught programming using Python while the control group was taught in Java. Both groups were assessed with the same type of questions. The data analysis was based on identifying the occurrence of syntax errors in each question. The results obtained from data analysis revealed that in each Python question there exists approximately one syntax error compared to approximately three syntax errors in each Java question. The results emphasized that there is a statistically significant difference between the two groups, indicating that scripting language, such as Python can highly improve the student’s learning curve compared to object oriented programming languages, such as Java. The results of this research show that when scripting language is taught in an introductory course to programming, it will provide a gentle learning curve to students.