[ironman1478]

Why would they lose motivation with C? Its really not that difficult. At least not compared to something like haskell or even something like python at times (are dictionary comprehensions actually that easy from a syntax POV? What about how copying a dictionary isn't an element by element copy, but a reference/ptr copy?)

Even with undefined behavior (which a newbie won't really have to care about at the beginning IMO) C is relatively simple from a flow and structural point of view. If you are saying you can do cooler things in python than C at the beginning, that's probably true, but its unclear how many people drop CS because the language they are using doesn't enable easily making cool things.

[warent]

> Why would they lose motivation with C? Its really not that difficult.

This is the confusion right here. You're underestimating what is difficult to other people.

As a friendly internet stranger with modest leadership experience, I would very gently suggest to be cautious of this pitfall. When we think like this, even if it's just coming from a place of logic, we can very easily send the wrong signal. We can make people feel stupid, and wonder why we're being critical of them.

[im3w1l]

I think it helps motivate beginners if you pick a stack that allows them to create a modern UI, even if the functionality is something as useless as a vuvuzela app.