Interactive visual simulators for beginning programming students

Abstract

This paper discusses two programs that have been written to be aids to introductory programming students. They both embody the belief that Computer Assisted Instruction can be a worthwhile aid to students when properly used and that one of the best uses is to present visually to the student a process that he has some control over and which he would not otherwise be able to observe. Section 2 of this paper discusses HYCOMP1, an interactive visual computer simulator. Section 3 discusses IVF, the Interactive Visual FORTRAN interpreter. They were both written in SNOBOL4 1 and run under the KRONOS Time Sharing System on a CDC 6600 using an Applied Digital Data Systems, Inc. ADDS Consul 880 terminal, which is an ASCII terminal with a CRT display and an addressable cursor.