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Issues highlighted by the implementation of a visual programming tool for an introductory programming course

An introductory programming course should offer students problem solving analysis and design experience as well as exposure to the basic ideas of algorithmic thinking. Many introductory programming courses, unfortunately, tend to concentrate on the syntax of a programming language at the expense of developing problem solving skills. Coupled to this are the ever-increasing complexity of modern programming languages and their environments. B# was developed as an interactive system that allows first year computer science students to solve algorithmic problems using an iconic flowchart approach. This paper reports on the issues that had to be considered in developing this system. These include issues such as conceptional differences between different programming languages, whether all programming errors should be prevented by such a tool and developing effective interaction mechanisms.