Re: Learning C

Richard G. Riley wrote:

"Nick"posted the following on 2006-03-10:

I thought you were implying Linux was better because the *debugger* was


There is no "the debugger" : although gdb is prevalent in Linux -
albeit with several front ends.

better. I've never stepped through an existing application (that wasn't
broken)
with a debugger. If you say it's a good way to learn C, who am I to
argue.

I said its one way to get used to the structure and flow of
applications which is what he wants. Also, I do think a debugger can
give real insight into how C works in the real world : results of
operators there for you to see with no overhead of printfs which some
favor.

The printf's are portable. The printf's work without manual intervention.
The printfs work without having to understand an additional tool.

But it *still* sounds bizzare to me


What does? Are we talking about the same thing? Do you doubt that
watching other, well written apps work is beneficial to a newbie? It
seems fairly clear to me that it can only help. Its how the entire
Open SW system works : people learning by doing and picking up on
other peoples work.

You've conflated "learning by doing and picking up on> other peoples work"
with "watching ... apps work" and that with stepping through an application
using a debugger. I think that's misleading.

--
Chris "sparqling" Dollin
"Who do you serve, and who do you trust?"
.

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