ALGOL 68 and structured programming for learner-programmers

Abstract

A method is described of introducing to absolute beginners basic concepts of structured programming, including constructing programs by “step-wise refinement”. This is interleaved with a “top-down” description of a simple mini-subset of ALGOL 68, which is closely followed by the concepts of data structuring and procedurisation, as expressed in this language. Emphasis throughout is on the programming philosophy behind the approach controlling the teaching of ALGOL 68, rather than vice versa.