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Factionalism versus fraternalism in computing: A plea for the latter

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Ronald S. LemosAuthors Info & Claims

ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 3

Pages 16 - 22

https://doi.org/10.1145/953028.804225

Published: 01 August 1978 Publication History

Abstract

Computing is currently characterized by an undesirable trend towards factionalism. Factionalism is the consequence of the immature evolutionary status of computing as an inexact science. The optimist (uniglots, rhythmists, stylizers, and communicants) and pessimist factions are described. An advocacy for a move from factionalism towards fraternalism is presented. The multidisciplinary nature of computing is discussed with its implications for alternative problem perspectives. The need for experimentalism in computing is emphasized. The proposed move from factionalism to fraternalism will encourage the balanced objectivity necessary for the further evolutionary development of computing as a formal discipline.

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Dijkstra, E. W., "An Interview with Professor Dr. Edsger W. Dijkstra," by Cashman, M. W., Datamation, Vol. 23, No. 95, May 1977, pp. 164-166.

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Helmer, O. and Rescher, N., "On the Epistemology of the Inexact Science," Rand Corporation, P-1513, Santa Monica, CA.

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Cited By

Whyte MKnirk FCasey RWillard M(1991)Individualistic versus Paired/Cooperative Computer-Assisted Instruction: Matching Instructional Method with Cognitive StyleJournal of Educational Technology Systems10.2190/BM2H-TA0F-T02B-9TDB19:4(299-312)Online publication date: 1-Jun-1991
https://doi.org/10.2190/BM2H-TA0F-T02B-9TDB

Index Terms

Factionalism versus fraternalism in computing: A plea for the latter
1. Applied computing
  1. Law, social and behavioral sciences
    1. Psychology
2. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing education
      1. Computing education programs
        Computer science education

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Published In

cover image ACM SIGCSE Bulletin

ACM SIGCSE Bulletin Volume 10, Issue 3

Proceedings of the 9th SIGCSE symposium on Computer science education

August 1978

178 pages

ISSN:0097-8418

DOI:10.1145/953028

Issue’s Table of Contents

SIGCSE '78: Proceedings of the ninth SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
August 1978
178 pages
ISBN:9781450374347
DOI:10.1145/800130
Chairmen:
Alfs T. Berztiss,
Henry Chuang

Copyright © 1978 ACM.

Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 01 August 1978

Published in SIGCSE Volume 10, Issue 3

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Cited By

Whyte MKnirk FCasey RWillard M(1991)Individualistic versus Paired/Cooperative Computer-Assisted Instruction: Matching Instructional Method with Cognitive StyleJournal of Educational Technology Systems10.2190/BM2H-TA0F-T02B-9TDB19:4(299-312)Online publication date: 1-Jun-1991
https://doi.org/10.2190/BM2H-TA0F-T02B-9TDB

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