Literary criticism and programming pedagogy

ABSTRACT

If one grants certain similarities between the programming and writing processes, then the critical perspectives adopted by the readers of literature may be generalizable to the readers of program texts. M.H. Abrams' classification of literary critical theories as expressive, mimetic, pragmatic, or objective serves as an impetus for a discussion of the reading and writing of program texts. Recognition that program texts can be viewed from numerous perspectives may serve as a liberating force in programming pedagogy.

REFERENCES

• 1: Abrams, M.H. The Mirror and the Lamp. Oxford University Press: NY, 1953.
• 2: Dijkstra, Edgar. "Notes on structured programming." In Structured Programming. Eds. O.-.J. Dahl, E.W. Dijkstra, and C.A.R. Hoare. Academic Press: NY, 1972, 1-82.
• 3: Emig, Janet. "Writing as a mode of learning." CCC, 18 (1977), 122-127.
• 4: Gates, Bill. "Bill Gates." In Programmers at Work. Ed. Susan Lamers, Microsoft Press: Redmond, WA, 1986, 70-90.
• 5: Hayes, John, and Flowers, Linda. "Problemsolving strategies and the writing process." CCC, 28, 4 (1977), 449-461.
• 6: Hayes, John, and Flowers, Linda. "The cognition of discovery: defining a rl~etorical problem." CCC, 31, I (1980), 21-32.
• 7: Hide, Paul. "The design of algorithms." In Guide to Good Programming Practice. Eds. Brian Meeks and Patricia Heath. John Wiley & Sons: NY, 1980, 29-34.
• 8: Kildall, Gary. "Gary Ki!dall. "In Programmers at Work. Ed. Susan Lammers. Microsoft Press: Redmond, WA~ 1986, 56-69.
• 9: Donald E. Knuth, Literate programming, The Computer Journal, v.27 n.2, p.97-111, May 1984 [doi>10.1093/comjnl/27.2.97]
• 10: Steven Levy, Hackers: heroes of the computer revolution, Doubleday, New York, NY, 1984
• 11: Murray, Donald. "Internal revision: a process of discovery." In Research on Composing: Points of Departure. Eds. Charles R. Cooper and Lee Odell. NCTE: Urbana, ILL, 1978, 85-103.
• 12: Warnock, John. "John Warnock." In Programmers at Work. Ed. Susan Lammers. Microsoft Press: Redmond, WA, }986, 40- 55.
• 13: G. M. Weinberg, The psychology of computer programming, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York, NY, 1988
• 14: Young, Richard, Becker, Alton, and Pike, Ke~meth. Rhetoric: Discovery and Change. Harcodrt, Brace & World, Inc.: NY, }970.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

Additional Classification:
  J. Computer Applications
  J.5 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
      Subjects: Literature

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum

General Terms:
Design, Human Factors, Management, Performance, Theory