[Avshalom]

I wonder if a REPL might be counterproductive in a first language. Everyone seems to agree that the ability to produce a "thing" quickly and easily is important. In contrast every time I see an tutorial or introduction to a language with a REPL making a thing is always de emphasized in preference for showing off the language facilities.

Well except Logo which was all about making art "things."

[ippisl]

Research has shown that rapid feedback is a needed element in rapid learning. this has been proven true in many fields. REPL gives you this.

And from my experience , with a REPL , making things is easier and faster.

And in languages without a REPL , the barrier to explain something is bigger(you have to write a lot of cruft code) , so it might make more sense to build something rather than showing language features.