A Common Framework for Scripting Tutorials

A scripting tutorial should focus on teaching the characteristics of scripting languages, avoiding the pitfall of teaching only syntax conversion from system programming languages. Examples should be selected to emphasize features of scripting languages in general (e.g. weak typing, associative arrays, “gluing”) and the scripting language at hand. Students might benefit from using the same framework (structure of programming elements and examples) for learning multiple scripting languages. Their existing programming skills should be reused while newly introduced scripting concepts should be reinforced in subsequent examples.