Rethinking CS0 with JavaScript

Traditional approaches to CS0 have emphasized either breadth, through an overview of computer science, or depth, through intensive programming. This paper describes an alternative teaching method that strikes a balance between these two approaches through the use of JavaScript and the World Wide Web. By taking advantage of JavaScript's simplicity and natural Web-based interfaces, the CS0 course described here is able to maintain a strong emphasis on programming and problem-solving, integrate programming skills with Web technology, and still provide reasonable breadth on general computer science topics. This balance between depth and breadth makes the course attractive to both non-majors and majors alike, providing a broad perspective of the field as well as a foundation for continuing studies in computer science.