I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and
Z80 chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty, maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his mum. I have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is
buying for projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for myself.
I doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop
running some version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I
doubt if this would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.
--
Bill

On 08/04/2015 18:15, Bill wrote:

I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and
Z80 chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty, maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his mum. I have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is
buying for projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for myself.
I doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop
running some version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I
doubt if this would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.

Minecraft seems to be the springboard for kids of that age

On 08/04/2015 18:15, Bill wrote:
I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

https://scratch.mit.edu/ is purpose built for teaching kids to code. I
introduced my kids to it at about that age.

There are guides out there on how to use it. I haven't bothered to look
much at http://www.scratchprogramming.org/ but it's the first Google
hit. You'll probably enjoy just playing with it.

Also Lightbot is rather sweet, with Android and iThing apps available:
https://lightbot.com/


--
Danny Colyer
"I'm riding a unicycle with my pants down. This should be every boy's
dream." - Bartholomew J Simpson

In article ,
Bill wrote:

I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and
Z80 chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty, maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his mum. I have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is
buying for projects".

The Pi is great - I am biased though.

But once the Pi is up & going, there's Scratch which is a visual drag &
drop type of programming environment. A 10 year old will love it, then
get bored with it in a few hours.

After that, there are many other programming languages - I'm also biased here
and would suggest BASIC, however Python is the one of choice...

Pi's are cheap enough. Get a "bundle" with everything ready to go -
all you need then is a HDMI montor/TV.

e.g. http://shop.pimoroni.com/products/ra...-2-starter-kit

Gordon

On Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:15:59 +0100, Bill wrote:

I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and
Z80 chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty, maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his mum. I have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is
buying for projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for myself.
I doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop
running some version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I
doubt if this would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.

Platform independent (so use a laptop/Pi/PC/whatever)....

Take a look at Greenfoot.

http://www.greenfoot.org




--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

Bill scribbled


I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and
Z80 chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty, maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his mum. I have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is
buying for projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for myself.
I doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop
running some version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I
doubt if this would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.


The Sunday Times recently ran a series of articles on children learning
to code. There's an associated website

https://editor.playto.io/partner/sunday-times/

On Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:34:50 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

The son has expressed an interest in programming ...

Wasn't this dicussed in here fairly recently? The biggest problem is
them finding an itch and wanting scratch it

... and, as far as I know, is not doing anything in school that
relates
to this.

Very little if any though the curiculem is changing but how far it
gets into programming even at GCSE level is not very...

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better
out
there now?

Donno if the BBC Micro Bit or whatever they are calling it is out
yet, or even if it will be publically available. This has the
advantage over a Pi in that it has a couple of switches and a matrix
of LEDs and, IIRC, battery built in. So program it, over USB from a
PC, and it can be stand alone doing it's thing. The swiches can be
polled and each LED switched so a bit of code can make the LEDS flash
patterns display alphanumeric characters or what ever in response to
switch pushes.

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/...o-bit-hands-on

The final version should have a magnetometer, accelorometer and
Blutooth. Woo, that opens up lots of "fun things".

I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home
with
his mum.

A Pi would require a TV with HDMI input but you then run into the
problem of the ZX81 etc hogging the TV when some one else wants to
watch Corry or Deadenders...

I could donate an old laptop running some version of Linux and
donate
some old books on C, but I doubt if this would be much use in the

family circumstances.

If there is no computer and/or internet at home it might be better to
supply those. An awful lot of schools have homework sites to set and
have homework submitted and also expect the kids to be able to
research things on the 'net.

A child without 'net access at home is at a serious disadvantage.

Minecraft seems to be the springboard for kids of that age

"Electronic Lego" it's certainly amazing what you can construct not
just buildings and enviroments but basic electonic and logic blocks
are available. The Lad started on building an 8 bit computer using
just logic gates, he got as far as an 8 bit adder with an output and
two input registers and was able to load numbers into it and get the
correct answer. I think he got bored with it after that, it's very
tedious placing and wiring the half dozen or so gates required for
each bit of an adder with carry. Others out in the Minecraft world
have built much larger machines.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 08/04/2015 21:52, Jonno wrote:
Bill scribbled


I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and
Z80 chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty, maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his mum. I have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is
buying for projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for myself.
I doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop
running some version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I
doubt if this would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.


The Sunday Times recently ran a series of articles on children learning
to code. There's an associated website

https://editor.playto.io/partner/sunday-times/

Barclays have also done a web based site:

http://www.barclays.co.uk/LifeSkills...P1242686640999

Might keep someone amused for a couple of hours.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On Wed, 08 Apr 2015 22:06:43 +0000, Tim Streater wrote:

The Lad started on building an 8 bit computer using just logic
gates,
he got as far as an 8 bit adder ..

I was keen on doing that using relays back in 1960 or so, but couldn't
afford enough to do more than a one-bit adder with carry output.

Get Minecraft and I think the Redstone plugin and satisfy that
childhood dream. I'm sure relays are available so you don't have to
use these new fangled logic blocks. B-)

Even if they are not Minecraft is Java based so you could write your
blocks that act as relays in the Redstone enviroment...

--
Cheers
Dave.

In message , Tim Streater
writes
I'm no longer sure I can be bothered.

This is very similar to my attitude. I would think that if I were young
now, I'd soon get bored with moving blocks round a screen. I'm not sure
what would now be the equivalent of the sense of triumph when I managed
to get a Z80 reading and writing on one of the bare floppies that I
still have somewhere in the loft, and I was much older when I achieved
that.

I think I will pass on down the line the sites and programs referenced
here and suggest that the youth thinks about what he wants to achieve.
If something seems to have grabbed someone's interest, I'll try to
research it in more detail so that I have a vague opinion.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions.
--
Bill

It is a real shame that the environment of the 1980s does not still exist. I
saw many children, some as young as 6, using Basic on a spectrum for
example, easily getting the concepts of defining the taask, designing the
algorithms and making them into subroutines for multiple use.
Sadly there seem to be nothing like this around today. Its all black boxes
and modules and stuff, no real teaching of the basics in my view.
Brian

--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Bill" wrote in message
...

I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year old.
son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know, is
not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen to
bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and Z80
chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be plenty,
maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can do. I have
no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with his mum. I
have been told by my son who works in a power-programming environment that
there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is buying for
projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for myself. I
doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do anything
beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop running some
version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I doubt if this
would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.
--
Bill

On Thu, 9 Apr 2015 10:59:14 +0100, "Brian Gaff"
wrote:
It is a real shame that the environment of the 1980s does not still
exist. I
saw many children, some as young as 6, using Basic on a spectrum
for
example, easily getting the concepts of defining the taask,
designing the
algorithms and making them into subroutines for multiple use.
Sadly there seem to be nothing like this around today. Its all
black boxes
and modules and stuff, no real teaching of the basics in my view.
Brian


--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Bill" wrote in message
...

I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10
year old.
son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I
know, is
not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is
keen to
bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP,
8080 and Z80
chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better
out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty,
maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have
no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with his
mum. I
have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that
there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is buying
for
projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for
myself. I
doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything
beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop running
some
version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I doubt if
this
would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.
--
Bill

Scratch and Lightest are a good start. Python and Ruby for Kids
follow nicely.

On Thu, 09 Apr 2015 11:30:39 +0100, Lawrence
wrote:
On Thu, 9 Apr 2015 10:59:14 +0100, "Brian Gaff"
wrote:
It is a real shame that the environment of the 1980s does not
still
exist. I
saw many children, some as young as 6, using Basic on a spectrum
for
example, easily getting the concepts of defining the taask,
designing the
algorithms and making them into subroutines for multiple use.
Sadly there seem to be nothing like this around today. Its all
black boxes
and modules and stuff, no real teaching of the basics in my view.
Brian




--
From the Sofa of Brian Gaff Reply address is active
"Bill" wrote in message
...

I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a
10
year old.
son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as
I
know, is
not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father
is
keen to
bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP,
8080 and Z80
chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything
better
out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to
be
plenty,
maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have
no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his
mum. I
have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that
there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is buying
for
projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see
for
myself. I
doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything
beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop
running
some
version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I doubt
if
this
would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.
--
Bill


Scratch and Lightest are a good start. Python and Ruby for Kids
follow nicely.

That should have read Lightbot.

On Thu, 09 Apr 2015 00:56:53 +0100, Bill wrote:

In message , Tim Streater
writes
I'm no longer sure I can be bothered.

This is very similar to my attitude. I would think that if I were young
now, I'd soon get bored with moving blocks round a screen. I'm not sure
what would now be the equivalent of the sense of triumph when I managed
to get a Z80 reading and writing on one of the bare floppies that I
still have somewhere in the loft, and I was much older when I achieved
that.

I think I will pass on down the line the sites and programs referenced
here and suggest that the youth thinks about what he wants to achieve.
If something seems to have grabbed someone's interest, I'll try to
research it in more detail so that I have a vague opinion.

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions.

As more or less covered up thread, the main issue is a complete platform
to work on.

If you get a Pi you still need a screen, keyboard, mouse (apart from those
who run them headless - but that just means another PC elsewhere).

So if there is a screen always available (e.g. TV in the kid's room) then
a Pi with keyboard and mouse could be the way to go.

If not, an old laptop running Linux solves all the problems about input/
output.

You then have a vast choice of learning packages - that is minor compared
to providing the infrastructure.

You also, of course, have the issue of keeping the OS up to date, and any
packages which you want/need. So a connection to the Internet would be
very helpful. If there is no Internet connection you need a supply of SD
cards for the Pi (to update elsewhere) or a method (such as a memory stick?
) to bring in updates for the PC or Pi. Sneakernet, in other words. Or
just update when visiting somewhere with Internet.

Of course, a phone with a data bundle which can be tethered will supply
Internet if you have a wireless or BlueTooth dongle on the PC to talk to
the phone (or just use USB).

So the programming tool is the last thing to look at.

You first need a complete development platform which can be updated if/
when required.

I am assuming, of course, the kid doesn't have access to a computer at
home already, and is not just asking about how to go about learning
programming.

Can you run simple development packages on phones/tablets?

Cheers

Dave R



--
Windows 8.1 on PCSpecialist box

In message o.uk, Dave
Liquorice writes
On Wed, 08 Apr 2015 18:34:50 +0100, stuart noble wrote:

The son has expressed an interest in programming ...

Wasn't this dicussed in here fairly recently? The biggest problem is
them finding an itch and wanting scratch it

snip

Minecraft seems to be the springboard for kids of that age

"Electronic Lego" it's certainly amazing what you can construct not
just buildings and enviroments but basic electonic and logic blocks
are available. The Lad started on building an 8 bit computer using
just logic gates, he got as far as an 8 bit adder with an output and
two input registers and was able to load numbers into it and get the
correct answer. I think he got bored with it after that, it's very
tedious placing and wiring the half dozen or so gates required for
each bit of an adder with carry. Others out in the Minecraft world
have built much larger machines.


In terms of programming, there is the whole aspect extending Minecraft -
writing mods etc. which has the advantage (if the kid is into
minecraft, and 99% of 10 yo seems to be) giving the focus of something
to achieve.

A friend (who happens to be a programmer) was having fun recently with
his kids, Minecraft and this book:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adventures-Minecraft-David-Whale/dp/111894691X

As has been mentioned elsewhere, Scratch is good in terms of quick
results, and getting their head round how to program without having to
actually write out the code

And there are websites such as Code.org

https://code.org/learn

and Code Academy

http://www.codecademy.com/

As has been said before, a hook, a reason to be learning it is key (for
most people, some kids might be motivated by the challenge of learning
it for it's own sake)

Whether it's modding minecraft, hooking up an Arduino to other hardware
to make soemthing work or whatever
--
Chris French

In message , Brian Gaff
writes
It is a real shame that the environment of the 1980s does not still exist. I
saw many children, some as young as 6, using Basic on a spectrum for
example, easily getting the concepts of defining the taask, designing the
algorithms and making them into subroutines for multiple use.
Sadly there seem to be nothing like this around today. Its all black boxes
and modules and stuff, no real teaching of the basics in my view.

I suspect though there were a lot of kids who wrote a few lines of
basic, did a few simple things and then got bored with the
limitations/effort required.

I think it's in part about expectations. quickly getting some simple
(ish) stuff to happen on a BBC micro seemed good 40 years ago, but in
the world of modern games and applications, of cheap tablets and phones
that can play games graphically way more advanced than a speccy being
able to to draw a few shapes on a screen or maybe program a simple game
probably doesn't cut the mustard.

interfacing and controlling cheap hardware, extending programs like
Minecraft, writing HTML/javascript are probably the areas to be looking
into
--
Chris French

In message , David
writes
So the programming tool is the last thing to look at.

You first need a complete development platform which can be updated if/
when required.

I am assuming, of course, the kid doesn't have access to a computer at
home already, and is not just asking about how to go about learning
programming.

Can you run simple development packages on phones/tablets?

I have written up and added a compilation of pastes from replies here
and sent it off via my daughter (the person with the son is a client of
hers).

I have made the point about the platform and offered an old laptop, but
I don't know whether they have access to broadband.

Separately, for my own interest, I have downloaded "Terminal IDE" onto
an Android tablet after deleting lots of stuff to make space. I haven't
tried anything beyond hitting ls -l to prove that something is running
and that it might be worth digging out a BT keyboard to see what, if
anything, I can do with it.
--
Bill

On 09/04/2015 10:59, Brian Gaff wrote:
It is a real shame that the environment of the 1980s does not still exist. I
saw many children, some as young as 6, using Basic on a spectrum for
example, easily getting the concepts of defining the taask, designing the
algorithms and making them into subroutines for multiple use.
Sadly there seem to be nothing like this around today. Its all black boxes
and modules and stuff, no real teaching of the basics in my view.

Sci Fi Author David Brin lamented a similar problem. His solution was in
the end remarkably simple:

http://www.salon.com/2006/09/14/basic_2/


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

In article , John
Rumm scribeth thus
On 08/04/2015 21:52, Jonno wrote:
Bill scribbled


I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
Any views gratefully received.


The Sunday Times recently ran a series of articles on children learning
to code. There's an associated website

https://editor.playto.io/partner/sunday-times/

Barclays have also done a web based site:



http://www.barclays.co.uk/LifeSkills...P1242686640999

Might keep someone amused for a couple of hours.


Ah!, So thats how they cock up their Bank web****e is it then;!...
--
Tony Sayer

On Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at 6:18:19 PM UTC+1, Bill wrote:
I've been asked for advice by someone who has a friend with a 10 year
old. son.
The son only sees his father on occasional weekend visits.

The son has expressed an interest in programming and, as far as I know,
is not doing anything in school that relates to this. His father is keen
to bring this on.

My start in programming was with home made boards with SC/MP, 8080 and
Z80 chips, so I'm completely out of date and past it.

The obvious thing is a Raspberry Pi, but is there anything better out
there now? I've never used any of these things. There seems to be
plenty, maybe too much, variety in how and what these little boards can
do. I have no idea whether he has access to a TV or monitor at home with
his mum. I have been told by my son who works in a power-programming
environment that there are now some Intel-based boards that "everyone is
buying for projects".

I suppose the only answer is for me to buy something and see for myself.
I doubt, though whether I have time to do anything justice or do
anything beyond adding to the noise. I could donate an old laptop
running some version of Linux and donate some old books on C, but I
doubt if this would be much use in the family circumstances.

Any views gratefully received.
--
Bill

Id add in Arduino as a cheap platform for robotics/flashing leds/moving servos type programming

In message , David
writes
Can you run simple development packages on phones/tablets?

Just a quick follow-up on this.

I have now got Terminal IDE up and running. It's in the App Store on
Android and is free.

I think I didn't have enough free space on the tablet when I first tried
it, but after moving everything I could to the SD card, and uninstalling
a bunch of apps, it is now up and running well.

It comes with its own virtual keyboard, which is comprehensive but very
small and fiddly on a 7" tablet. The Android tablet keyboard is OK, but
you have to switch between 3 screens of it to get most of the commands.

My cheapo external Bluetooth keyboard is better, but even that doesn't
have all the keys one needs. Terminal IDE does, however, offer a couple
of toggles to convert keys to, for example, provide Esc, which is
missing from my Bluetooth device.

Apart from these niggles, it is very impressive, and I've staggered
through a couple of the example exercises successfully.
--
Bill

in 1384265 20150412 170152 Bill wrote:
In message , David
writes
Can you run simple development packages on phones/tablets?

Just a quick follow-up on this.

I have now got Terminal IDE up and running. It's in the App Store on
Android and is free.

I think I didn't have enough free space on the tablet when I first tried
it, but after moving everything I could to the SD card, and uninstalling
a bunch of apps, it is now up and running well.

It comes with its own virtual keyboard, which is comprehensive but very
small and fiddly on a 7" tablet. The Android tablet keyboard is OK, but
you have to switch between 3 screens of it to get most of the commands.

My cheapo external Bluetooth keyboard is better, but even that doesn't
have all the keys one needs. Terminal IDE does, however, offer a couple
of toggles to convert keys to, for example, provide Esc, which is
missing from my Bluetooth device.

Apart from these niggles, it is very impressive, and I've staggered
through a couple of the example exercises successfully.

Have you tried Hacker's Keyboard?

In message , Bob Martin
writes
in 1384265 20150412 170152 Bill wrote:
In message , David
writes
Can you run simple development packages on phones/tablets?

Just a quick follow-up on this.

I have now got Terminal IDE up and running. It's in the App Store on
Android and is free.

Snip
It comes with its own virtual keyboard, which is comprehensive but very
small and fiddly on a 7" tablet. The Android tablet keyboard is OK, but
you have to switch between 3 screens of it to get most of the commands.

My cheapo external Bluetooth keyboard is better, but even that doesn't
have all the keys one needs. Terminal IDE does, however, offer a couple
of toggles to convert keys to, for example, provide Esc, which is
missing from my Bluetooth device.
-

Have you tried Hacker's Keyboard?

That looks just what is needed and much better than the one included
with the app.

I haven't tried it in anger because they turn out to have no Android
devices, so I have decided to offer the "give him a Linux laptop"
option, and have installed Mint and Eclipse. This was the cheapest
option, so I've got to try to renew some tiny amount of programming
"knowledge" so there is something for his Dad to look at.

--
Bill