Students of all ages want their programs to look nice. They will spend hours making a simple program like a metri/imperial convertor look the part. Like it or not, it is Windows that has made them expect this.
If you want fast access to something that looks like a WIndows GUI why not look at StarLogo? Lots of youngsters still learn a bit of logo when young and I think this works well for a short snappy introductory course. Gets over a few basic principles. If you are teaching pupils programming, there is no requirement to teach 'real' languages at the start. However I have taught many who haved use C, C++, VB, python whilst at school, but like most bright kids they need mentoring to avoid the 'self-taught' syndrome.
I would like them to learn C, followed by C++ but they would be discouraged very quickly by what appear to be drab programs. VB or Delphi are the only real options.
The problem with all real programming languages is the learning curve. C++ ? You have a BIG api to learn, you have a lot of concepts to cover to do with objects, and you have the windows API to learn as well. Takes a while to get running. I've heard quite a few anecdotes about C++ being abandoned, and a return to C : some developers find that its object methods have not helped regarding time to delivery or robustness. -- ******************************************************************************** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of inappropriate attachments and certain obscenities. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster@wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. ********************************************************************************