Variables
One of the classes I teach is a freshman introduction to object oriented programming. I teach it using AS 3 and Flex Builder. Unfortunately, there are no textbooks that teach object oriented programming to brand new programmers in AS 3. So I write a series of handouts.
In the degree program, Web Design & Interactive Media, all students learn the core concepts and skills of web design, web development, information architecture, and usability during their first four semesters. Hopefully by that point, they have figured out where their interests and talents lie and they take the appropriate advanced electives during their last four semesters. What this means for my intro to oop class is that I have a mix of students who have some programming experience and want to focus on development and students who have never written code (with WYSIWYG editors, many have never even written HTML or CSS) and have absolutely no interest in development. It can be a challenge to say the least.
The mix of students means that the handouts have to be written at a level that new programmers will understand. This is not a computer science degree so they also don't contain many of the actual details of how programming/computers work (pointers, stacks, etc.). And certain things have to stressed more than others for a population who has grown up IMing, texting, and Facebooking (is that even a word?) where "close enough" is good enough when it comes to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Many students really struggle with the fact that every character they type matters and there are certain rules they just have to follow.
I'm posting the first handout I give on an introduction to variables. I know many of you are well beyond this basic introduction. But maybe some could use a refresher. A few of the emails I've received lead me to believe that a few readers are brand new to oop. So, I'm going to try to balance the RIA development material with an intro/review of oop concepts. If this mix doesn't work, just let me know. Otherwise, happy coding!
