On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 7:20 AM, Christiano F. Haesbaert < haesba...@haesbaert.org> wrote:
> On 24 November 2010 13:55, Kenneth Gober <kgo...@gmail.com> wrote: > > since you've indicated that you are interested in a 'first' language, I > must > > assume you plan to learn other languages later. as a result, I strongly > > recommend that you start with the book "Structure and Interpretation of > > Computer Programs" (available online at > > http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html, or you can buy a > > paper copy if you prefer, for example from Amazon: > > > http://www.amazon.com/Structure-Interpretation-Computer-Programs-Engineering/dp/0262011530 > ). > > this book will give you an excellent foundation on programming in > general > > (and the Scheme programming language in specific). > > > > Are you insane ? > Recommending SICP to a guy that just started programming and CS in general > ? > Have in mind that not everyone is a MIT grad. > > Learning lisp/scheme as ones first language is sweet, but it just > doesn't happen in 2010, that makes me said, but it's the truth. Before > flaming me, I'm quite fond of scheme and elisp. > SICP isn't used to teach MIT grads, it's used as the entry-level course to teach MIT undergrads how to program (or so I understand, I never went to MIT). if a college undergrad can use it to learn programming while also taking 5-6 other classes at the same time, then I'm confident the OP (who I assume isn't trying to learn 4-5 other things at the same time) can manage the task as well. that is, if the OP wants a solid foundation in program design, rather than merely learning a language. it roughly corresponds to the difference between someone who wants to learn to be a draftsman, versus an architect. they both start out doing similar things, but one of them will end up going farther. I stand by my recommendation - SICP and Scheme to learn the basics, most importantly how to *think* about programs. after that, K&R will suffice to teach you how to express your already well-structured thoughts in C syntax. -ken
