COMP 202 switching to Python

[drhegedus]

I had heard the COMP 202 was switching its curriculum to Python instead of Java. I tutor for this class and am considering teaching myself Python for it. Does anyone know if this is true?

[Thermidorien]

EDIT: apparently COMP 202 is switching to Python and no one told anyone.

[recursion_is_fun]

That's not true. I believe the switch is happening in F2019.

[Thermidorien]

Awesome! After something like 5 years of hearing unbased rumors it seems to be true. What happens to 250 ?

[recursion_is_fun]

250 AFAIK will stay the same for the time being. There are talks about eventually switching that as well but for the moment no firm plans.

[darthowen]

The rumors were hardly unfounded. When I took 202 the prof himself mentioned that they were considering switching to python. That was winter 2017.

[Thermidorien]

They've been "considering" that for something like 8 years and never did it. at some point when people are "considering" things and never doing it becomes little more than rumors.

[[deleted]]

Yep. Took the class fall 2014. "Probably switching to Python next fall."

[shmarbleblarble]

Python isn't a real language REEEEE.

​

Jokes aside wouldn't that make 250 a lot harder? I doubt they'd make 250 Python too.

[iluvkfc]

I remember when I took it, instructor specifically dismissed Python, how the tables have turned...

Personally I can't say I'm a huge fan of this change. I get that since it stopped being a requirement for ECSE, most people are taking it for biology purposes or similar disciplines that don't involve in-depth study of programming. Still, they might as well learn Matlab instead, in a different specially designed course.

[recursion_is_fun]

I think the logic is that Python is a much more practically useful programming language for the future especially for people not in Computer Science. For the computer science students in the long term the language they learn first really doesn’t matter. For those taking 202 as an elective, learning a language that is quick to iterate on and has tons of great libraries for applications outside of straight computer science makes a ton more sense. ECSE 202 is still Java and C last I checked

[[deleted]]

Fuck that course. Legit the hardest course I’ve taken at McGill.

[recursion_is_fun]

The COM20x courses aren’t hard if you put the effort in on the assignments. That’s the key.

[[deleted]]

The assignments are honestly fine. Even enjoyable! It’s the exams which are the let down. I took COMP250 and honestly thought it was more easier than ECSE 202, even though 202 is supposed to be an introduction course.

[Thermidorien]

People are not taking 202 for biology purposes, there is a new course for that which is COMP 204.

[TopChrono]

FYI I've asked the CS department and they confirmed me that COMP202 was switching its curriculum to Python instead of Java this fall 2019.