A first programming language for information systems students

Following the decision to move to a modular structure for degree courses at the University of Hertfordshire for September 1997, an Information Systems award was added to the Computer Science scheme. On considering the content of proposed courses, it was decided to undertake a review of the Programming languages taught at first year level. A set of criteria was developed by the authors for comparing the different candidate languages. The reasons for reaching their conclusion, both academic and pragmatic, are discussed along with the particular needs of Information Systems students when compared with the traditional programming courses offered to undergraduate computer scientists.