On Friday 02 July 2010 22:36:46, edgar klerks wrote:
Hi All,
I have a question. A friend of mine wants to learn a programming language, because we work together. He studied economics and is busy in the financial sector. I understood Haskell is used there pretty much, so he got interested in it. But is haskell a good language for someone, who never even tried a language like basic?
Actually, the rumour goes that Haskell is easier to learn if your brain hasn't been conditioned by years of imperative programming.
I also want to know if someone has an idea, what a good approach is to start. I think real world haskell is a bit tough to begin with. He is an analytical thinker, so I think he can learn it, but I don't want to scare him away.
Analytical thinker sounds like a good fit, I'd think he'd see the beauty before being scared.
He is interested in functional languages, because he knows the banking sector uses it a lot. Maybe lisp is a better start?
Perhaps, perhaps not, depends on your friend.
I thought I first let him read: http://learnyouahaskell.com/introductionbecause it start with using haskell as a calculator. That seems to be pretty basic.
That, and the wikibook, I think for analytical people without much mathematical background, Simon Thompson's Craft of Functional Programming is an excellent fit.
And mathematics, where to start? I thought algebra, but I am not sure if that is too advanced.
Elementary number theory is a pretty good method to lead people into algebra. Start by giving problems that can be solved by trial and error and build a more systematic view upon those excursions.
He doesn't want to be programming wonder, but he would like to solve simple things.
Tnx for your help, your input is appreciated.
Greetings,
Edgar