Ask HN: Which coordinate system is better for a beginners programming language?

24 points

4 years ago

This is a programming language reduced to the basics with built-in graphics commands. It includes an interactive course to learn programming.

There are now two versions. One with the coordinate system origin at the top left, one with the origin at the bottom left. I am interested in the reasons why one or the other version is "better" for a teaching and learning programming language.

Arguments for "top left": this is common in 2D computer graphics; it is easier to deal with a grid of rows and columns

Top left origin tutorial: https://easylang.online/apps/tut_learn.html

Arguments for "bottom left": the y-value corresponds to the height; that's how it's taught in math class

Bottom left origin tutorial: https://tiki.li/apps/tut_learn.html

These tutorials are also built into the Web ID. It is all open source.

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