Re:Python vs. Processing as a First Language
by gaius on Monday May 21, 2012 @07:32AM
(#4002314)
It's like this in diving, there are basically two schools of thought, which I will refer to as PADI and BSAC (I am qualified in and have dived with both).
The PADI way gets you into the sea ASAP. It's only really safe to do this in benign conditions (e.g. warm, clear, non-tidal water in the Red Sea). But it quickly gets people hooked on what diving has to offer, and you can add in skills for hostile waters (cold, murky, strong currents, deeper, penetrating wrecks and caves, etc) later if and when you need to.
The BSAC way involves spending 6 months to a year in a training pool. You have to really, really want to dive to stick with it. They've stopped it now, but they used to test people by having them e.g. tread water for 3 minutes holding a weight belt above their heads (the A-test) which you will never ever have to actually do as a diver. It's meant to produce divers who can handle fairly hostile conditions on their very first sea dive (tho' IMHO it doesn't).
The PADI way gets you into the sea ASAP. It's only really safe to do this in benign conditions (e.g. warm, clear, non-tidal water in the Red Sea). But it quickly gets people hooked on what diving has to offer, and you can add in skills for hostile waters (cold, murky, strong currents, deeper, penetrating wrecks and caves, etc) later if and when you need to.
The BSAC way involves spending 6 months to a year in a training pool. You have to really, really want to dive to stick with it. They've stopped it now, but they used to test people by having them e.g. tread water for 3 minutes holding a weight belt above their heads (the A-test) which you will never ever have to actually do as a diver. It's meant to produce divers who can handle fairly hostile conditions on their very first sea dive (tho' IMHO it doesn't).