Literary criticism and programming pedagogy

Abstract

If one grants certain similarities between the programming and writing processes, then the critical perspectives adopted by the readers of literature may be generalizable to the readers of program texts. M.H. Abrams' classification of literary critical theories as expressive, mimetic, pragmatic, or objective serves as an impetus for a discussion of the reading and writing of program texts. Recognition that program texts can be viewed from numerous perspectives may serve as a liberating force in programming pedagogy.