APL TUTOR: an on-line instructional facility.

Abstract

This thesis describes a set of APL programs which enable a student to learn A Programming Language (APL) by using it. The student needs to know only how to log on id the computer and enter a few simple commands to begin the course. The basic unit of the TUTOR workspace is the text variable which describes the use of one of seventy-five built-in APL functions. This description is accessible by a HELP function without going through an entire lesson. Other functions conduct interactive question-and-answer drill. A MENU function lists the units for student selection of a lesson or information on a symbol. The student can also go through a sequence of lessons in a computer-driven course. These programs were written on and for the IBM 3033 installation at Naval Postgraduate School, using API version 4.0 for VM/CMS with IBM 3278 terminals.