Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. The Lounge
  3. An odd question....

An odd question....

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
questionc++careerworkspace
20 Posts 18 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • E Offline
    E Offline
    El Corazon
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

    _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

    J A R S B 16 Replies Last reply
    0
    • E El Corazon

      If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

      _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

      A Offline
      A Offline
      Anton Afanasyev
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Ook! or Brainfuck. ;P:laugh: Seriously though, probably VBA, as she would probably be more interested in extensibility of Office products, so this might seem kinda sorta interesting to her. But really, just go out for a cup of coffee ;P

      E 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • E El Corazon

        If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

        _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

        J Offline
        J Offline
        Jerry Hammond
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Actually, wouldn't a logic flow chart or a design document give her a better idea of what a programmer does?

        "We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the internet, we know this is not true." -- Professor Robert Silensky

        1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • E El Corazon

          If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

          _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

          R Offline
          R Offline
          Ryan Binns
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:

          what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

          Try Excel macros ;)

          Ryan

          "Punctuality is only a virtue for those who aren't smart enough to think of good excuses for being late" John Nichol "Point Of Impact"

          1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • E El Corazon

            If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

            _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

            S Offline
            S Offline
            Shog9 0
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            I have no idea. Every time i've attempted something like that, i've failed. Miserably. I'm talking "take on extra work to avoid ever having to talk to me again" failed. So, uh, good luck. Let us know how it works out...

            ---- Scripts i’ve known... CPhog 1.8.2 - make CP better. Forum Bookmark 0.2.5 - bookmark forum posts on Pensieve Print forum 0.1.2 - printer-friendly forums Expand all 1.0 - Expand all messages In-place Delete 1.0 - AJAX-style post delete Syntax 0.1 - Syntax highlighting for code blocks in the forums

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • E El Corazon

              If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

              _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

              B Offline
              B Offline
              benben
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              try show her some shell script :) Thanks! Benben

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • E El Corazon

                If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                M Offline
                M Offline
                Michael A Barnhart
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                I can recommend the book "How Computer Programming Works" by Dan Appleman. Although it has been 9 or so years since my last copy was kept, and do not remember details, I do remember liking it. Originally I bought it to help explain to my kids. My adult friends are the ones who read it. I only ever had the 1st edition. Maybe I should go get a second edition.

                1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • A Anton Afanasyev

                  Ook! or Brainfuck. ;P:laugh: Seriously though, probably VBA, as she would probably be more interested in extensibility of Office products, so this might seem kinda sorta interesting to her. But really, just go out for a cup of coffee ;P

                  E Offline
                  E Offline
                  El Corazon
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  Anton Afanasyev wrote:

                  But really, just go out for a cup of coffee

                  ;P Already have, and dinner, and movies, and just got back from taking her to Colorado. ;P I think she is curious because I do have an accounting background, so I know her job completely, but she hasn't the foggiest about mine.

                  _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                  1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • E El Corazon

                    If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                    _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                    C Offline
                    C Offline
                    Christopher Duncan
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Since she has no intention of learning how to program, I'd keep it at a very conceptual level. To a large degree, the heart of all programming can be summed up as, "if this statement is true, perform this action, otherwise, perform this alternate action" coupled with, "while this statement is true, keep performing this action." All else is commentary.

                    Author of The Career Programmer and Unite the Tribes www.PracticalStrategyConsulting.com

                    1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • E El Corazon

                      If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                      _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                      M Offline
                      M Offline
                      Mike_V
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      I learned with QBASIC when I was 9: CLS FOR I = 1 TO 1000000 PRINT I; NEXT I I agree that you shouldn't get into too much detail, especially if it is just idle curiosity. But being able to see an actual (albeit simplistic) program would help a great deal. Mike

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • E El Corazon

                        If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                        _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                        R Offline
                        R Offline
                        Roger Wright
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:

                        what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                        COBOL.

                        "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                        Steve EcholsS 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • E El Corazon

                          If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                          _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                          S Offline
                          S Offline
                          Super Lloyd
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Show her the if statement, the for statment, a function, a UI in the designer, how to wire an event. that's it! :-D

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • R Roger Wright

                            Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:

                            what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                            COBOL.

                            "...a photo album is like Life, but flat and stuck to pages." - Shog9

                            Steve EcholsS Offline
                            Steve EcholsS Offline
                            Steve Echols
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            Isn't that against the Geneva Convention? :laugh: Ah, wait, they're accountants, nevermind...


                            - S 50 cups of coffee and you know it's on!

                            • S
                              50 cups of coffee and you know it's on!
                              Code, follow, or get out of the way.
                            M 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • E El Corazon

                              If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                              _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                              V Offline
                              V Offline
                              V 0
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Doesn't matter really, show her all the statements (if/else, switch, for, while...) and some variables. Then use those variables with some operands (+, -, ...). That should clarify things :-).

                              I've found a living worth working for, but I haven't found work worth living for.
                              Moviereview Archive
                              :beer:
                              :jig: :badger:

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • E El Corazon

                                If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                                _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                leppie
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Boolean logic :) Explain what gates are, and how they build up to form the CPU. I think anyone would find that interesting :)

                                **

                                xacc.ide-0.2.0.57 - now with C# 2.0 parser and seamless VS2005 solution support!

                                **

                                1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • E El Corazon

                                  If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                                  _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                                  D Offline
                                  D Offline
                                  David ONeil
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  I'd just show her a simple and clean C++ program showing how to create a simple window, input a number, and add it to X if it is less than 100, or Y if it is greater than 100. Then multiply it by the current tax rate, just for her!

                                  1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • E El Corazon

                                    If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                                    _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                                    M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    Marc Clifton
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    Jeffry J. Brickley wrote:

                                    If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction?

                                    My neighbor asked that question a couple weeks ago when she was over. So I showed her some UML diagrams showing use case, sequences, then class diagrams, then code. She said, wow, that looks pretty easy! ;P Marc

                                    Thyme In The Country

                                    People are just notoriously impossible. --DavidCrow
                                    There's NO excuse for not commenting your code. -- John Simmons / outlaw programmer
                                    People who say that they will refactor their code later to make it "good" don't understand refactoring, nor the art and craft of programming. -- Josh Smith

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • E El Corazon

                                      If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                                      _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                                      M Offline
                                      M Offline
                                      Member 96
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Seriously, they may say and believe truly at first that they want to know, but within 5 minutes of anything but shiny flashing lights they are going to be bored as hell. If you must persist in this madness at least learn to know the early signs of polite boredom and cut it short. ;) Instead perhaps give them a box of toothpicks and some glue and say build me a 3 story house with furniture and they will understand intuitively half the job right there.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • Steve EcholsS Steve Echols

                                        Isn't that against the Geneva Convention? :laugh: Ah, wait, they're accountants, nevermind...


                                        - S 50 cups of coffee and you know it's on!

                                        M Offline
                                        M Offline
                                        Member 96
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Hey *some* of us actually learned and used Cobol, leave the Cobol bashing to those best positioned to do it justice! ;)

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • E El Corazon

                                          If a non-programmer wants to see how a programmer does his job, how a program is written. How would you do this introduction? This person has no intention of ever programming, curiosity more than anything. Do you choose a language and an environment that will be easy for her to understand? I am torn on this one, because the easier languages are not my specialty. I am leaning in that direction simply so that she can have a better understanding about "how" one writes a program without showing her the deep dark dungeons of C/C++. I guess this is just one up from what is a good language to show to a child... what computer programming language do you show to an accountant?

                                          _________________________ Asu no koto o ieba, tenjo de nezumi ga warau. Talk about things of tomorrow and the mice in the ceiling laugh. (Japanese Proverb)

                                          C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          Chris Maunder
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          I'd go VBScript. 1. No need for a compiler. Just save as .vbs and double click 2. Very limited syntax and no (enforced) types so it's approachable 3. The syntax is verbose (If ... Then... Else...End If) so it's more "english-like" Don't bore her with theory, or flow charts or anything like that. Give her some instant gratification, code-wise.

                                          cheers, Chris Maunder

                                          CodeProject.com : C++ MVP

                                          1 Reply Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups