Applying the Top-down Approach to Beginners in Programming Language Education

There are two approaches in learning programming language: the bottom up approach and the top-down approach. The bottom up approach starts from basic learning and shifts to real programming via data definition, and grammar. The top-down approach, on the other hand, is a process to self-learn the programming language with using formal sample program. The top down approach is more effective and requires less time to learn compared with the bottom up, but is supposed for a person who has already learned one language or more. We, however, believe that the top down approach is applicable to the first-time learners. The top down approach also fosters the understanding of reusability.