Backing up what Herbert just said, biologists and MDs who took my stats
class did indeed learn how to program in R.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Herbert Sauro" <Herbert_Sauro@kgi.edu>
To: "'SBML Discussion List'" <sbml-discuss@caltech.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2005 4:23 PM
Subject: RE: [sbml-discuss] Re: RE: Little b
>
>>The "unnatural" structure of computer languages comes from the need for
> precise
>>unambiguous expression. If models are to become part of mainstream of
> biology,
>>perhaps it will be important for biologists to express themselves in
> precise formal ?
>>language... that is - after they learn LISP :) Aneil
>
> I don't believe this for a minute, I personally believe it is possible to
> develop a language that is biology friendly but at the same time precise.
> Jarnac is pretty simple, I know a lot of biologists who are happy to use
> it
> (and do things with it I never envisaged). Python is another example of a
> language that is simple to learn and use, I teach it to completely newbie
> biolgists whose only contact with a computer has been email and the
> internet.
>
> I do believe there is a need for some kind of extensible non-xml text
> based
> langauge for systems biology, what it is I am not sure, but I'll be
> interested to see b when it is released.
>
> Herbert Sauro
>
| 
29 Jul '05 08:33
