On 2007-07-24, Paul Rubin <http> wrote: > I think Python is not used in university programs very much. > Look for one that uses SICP (Scheme) or CTM (Mozart/Oz) or a > functional language like Haskell, in preference to the ones > that use Java (the Cobol of the 1990's). With some reasonable > experience in Scheme or Mozart or Haskell, plus a Python > manual, you'll be well on your way. > > The SICP textbook is here: > > http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/ > > Maybe it's gotten a little bit old fashioned by now, but it's > still good reading.
The only weakness I'm aware of is how well it suits its original target audience--engineers who need an introduction to computer science. If your aren't an engineer, I might recommend _How to Design Programs_ (http://www.htdp.org/), or _Concrete Abstractions_ (http://gustavus.edu/+max/concrete-abstractions.html) instead. One cool advantage of SICP is the free online lectures, which helps make up for its non-programmer slant. http://www.swiss.ai.mit.edu/classes/6.001/abelson-sussman-lectures/ -- Neil Cerutti -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
