Any idea that has received less than 3 kudos within 3 years after posting will be automatically declined.
I propose having a beginners version of LabVIEW where all of the training wheels reside and a power user version where we are not encumbered by Large Icons, Express VIs, wizards etc.
I really don't understand the point of either this idea or the quality rating idea. Both seem like a huge waste of time.
I don't see how the "training wheels" encumber advanced users (not to mention that determining what's "advanced" is an exercise in futility) and a fully automated way of reliably measuring quality is practically impossible and probably not that beneficial. If you want people to produce better code, either give them better tools (frameworks, etc.) or educate them better (which is the same thing, but with different kind of tools).
the problem with giving beginners better frameworks is that you will scare them away.
I think anyone programming who didn't study it at college starts out with horrible code. Those interested in improving do over time, but it's about waving a flag saying "You can do this better". Some will be motivated, others won't. There is no absolute quality criteria, but until you get far enough to realise this, you're no longer a beginner.
I am really against this idea. Give anybody the pure and perfect form of labVIEW. I am really against two version and their transitions and explanations of why it is ok in the beginner version but not in the advanced version to name a few. This is bound to really scare the programmer.
Show them the Graphical programming style and those should really make anybody (ok almost) interested in what else can this funny graphical thing do and they LEARN. This is where the key lies. I would even accept strengthening the context help and providing some assistance in the form of annoying pop-ups and every now and then warn the user. Like selecting the local variable then there might be a context help styled warning saying "Be careful You might create a race condition" that will help them program better. I am strictly for a single version and lot of strengthening the learning.
Any idea that has received less than 3 kudos within 3 years after posting will be automatically declined.