Marvin writes:
I have a 10 year old son who is interested in programming. He really loves playing games so I thought he should learn how they are created. I am a bit confused on which language to have him start.
My question is should he start with Scratch (and for how long?) or should I start him with the Python language (with your book)? I've also heard about Ruby for Kids. Which is the easier path for him to start.?
I will greatly appreciate you thoughts on how he should get started?
Well, by all means, my book... ツ
But to be entirely honest, it's a difficult question to answer. Some kids will find the visual nature of Scratch attractive. And it may be a natural progression to go from something like Scratch to a more traditional programming language (not something I have a lot of experience with, given I started with a traditional programming language when I was a kid). But, if he has a modicum of technical ability, and an interest in how games are really created, then learning a traditional programming language may be the better path.
Either way, I don't think it will do any harm to start with Scratch, and progress to Python if he finds Scratch a little mundane - or vice versa, start with Python and go back to Scratch if he finds Python too advanced. However, in terms of Ruby, I can't really comment, as it's not a language I have much experience with.
Not sure that particularly helps, but good luck anyway.