From chemistry-request #at# ccl.net Thu Jun 11 00:56:55 1992
Date: Wed, 10 Jun 1992 15:54 EST
From: TIMBO <HANKS%FRMNVAX1.BITNET(+ at +)OHSTVMA.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU>
Subject: Do Students Need Fortran?
To: chemistry {*at*} ccl.net
Status: RO

We seem to have hit quite a raw nerve here, but while we're at it, maybe
we should consider the need to learn a programing language at all. First
let me state that I have programmed in basic, fortran, pascal and C myself,
so I have no particular phobia about programing. But I find less and
less reason to go out and do so. With more advanced compilers and progress
in object oriented programing and GUIs, maybe the lower level programing
is going the way of the slide rule. Even those directly involved in
interfacing computers to instruments can now use programs such as labview,
which takes much of the low level misery out of the process. Computer
literacy is becoming more and more critical, but maybe the definition of
"literacy" here is changing?