ISEDJ

Information Systems Education Journal

Volume 15

V15 N3 Pages 4-13

May 2017

Java vs. Python Coverage of Introductory Programming Concepts: A Textbook Analysis

Kirby McMaster
Weber State University
Ogden, UT 84480, USA

Samuel Sambasivam
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA 91702, USA

Brian Rague
Weber State University
Ogden, UT 84480, USA

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


Abstract: In this research, we compare two languages, Java and Python, by performing a content analysis of words in textbooks that describe important programming concepts. Our goal is to determine which language has better textbook support for teaching introductory programming courses. We used the TextSTAT program to count how often our list of concept words appear in a sample of Java and Python textbooks. We summarize and compare the results, leading to several conclusions that relate to the choice of language for a CS0 or CS1 course.

Keywords: JAVA, programming concepts, Python, textbooks

Download this article: ISEDJ - V15 N3 Page 4.pdf

Recommended Citation: McMaster, K., Sambasivam, S., Rague, B., Wolthuis, S. (2017). Java vs. Python Coverage of Introductory Programming Concepts: A Textbook Analysis. Information Systems Education Journal, 15(3) pp 4-13. http://isedj.org/2017-15/ ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of EDSIG 2016)