ISEDJ

Information Systems Education Journal

Volume 17

V17 N5 Pages 4-16

October 2019

Software Concepts Emphasized In Introductory Programming Textbooks

Kirby McMaster
Weber State University
Ogden, UT 84480, USA

Brian Rague
Weber State University
Ogden, UT 84480, USA

Samuel Sambasivam
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA 91702, USA

Stuart L. Wolthuis
Brigham Young University-Hawaii
Laie, HI 96762, USA


Abstract: In this research study, we performed a content analysis of selected introductory programming textbooks for three languages to examine which software development concepts are emphasized in these books. Our goal was to determine which concepts are considered to be most representative of software development based on the topics emphasized by the textbook authors. We counted how often programming words appeared in samples of C++, Java, and Python books. We discovered which concepts are consistently supported for all three languages. We also noted those concepts that are favored by just one or two languages. Our summarized results lead to several conclusions that are relevant to the choice of a language for an introductory programming course.

Keywords: C++, Content analysis, CS1, Java, Programming, Python

Download this article: ISEDJ - V17 N5 Page 4.pdf

Recommended Citation: McMaster, K., Rague, B., Sambasivam, S., Wolthuis, S. L. (2019). Software Concepts Emphasized In Introductory Programming Textbooks . Information Systems Education Journal, 17(5) pp 4-16. http://isedj.org/2019-17/ ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of EDSIGCON 2018)