| I think it is a little bit different: Fortran and COBOL are implementations of imperative programming languages. The ideas did not change. You still use while, for, if constructs in your ruby/python/java code. only another level of abstractions was added now with object principles, you can create your own types, you can use polymorphism but without an idea of imperative programming you would not be able to use these "new" languages (functional programming left aside) I think it is the same with science, at least regarding physics - einstein did not proove newton wrong. he just extended his theory so that it would better describe the reality (in this case: what happens when you approach speed of light) but for most calculations newton's formulas are still fine. I was turned off when I started college why I had to learn so much cs theory, but once you start to understanding the concepts and ideas behind certain things you are (theoretical) able to dissect the latest hype look and understand why things are the way they are. tl;dr: learn concepts and ideas not specific implementations |