Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs - 2nd Edition (MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) by Harold Abelson, Gerald Jay Sussman Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs - 2nd Edition (MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science)
Book Review: SICP is rewarding despite dense and rigorous reading.
Summary: 4 Stars
Being a Freshman at MIT and having to use SICP as the textbook for my Intro to Comp. Sci. class, I have a passing urge to really slander this book. It is certainly very rigorous reading, with concepts and examples presented in the manner of a a gushing fire hydrant. From the opening concepts of abstraction and compound procedures, SICP builds at a blazing pace, covering much more than just the basic material one would expect from a first-semester Comp. Sci. class, including topics which ought to be tucked away in later courses such as streams, register machine code, and compilation. However, the rewards of keeping up with the pace of SICP are tremendous, as the reader will undoubtedly have gotten quite a firm grasp of computer science and its challenges (Abelson and Sussman have included some of the on-going research topics of Comp. Sci. in SICP as exercises). SICP is a treausre of knowledge waiting to reward those willing to suffer in reaching it. I have personally both suffered and been rewarded. And if I ever get thirsty now, I have learned the art of drinking out of a spewing fire hydrant.Book Review: No question, this book is a must read
Summary: 5 Stars
My first exposure to this book was as a freshman at MIT in '86. Since then I've been exposed to an awful lot of computer science books. And I'm afraid the term "awful" has applied all too often. This book still stands out in my mind as one of the best comp. sci. texts I've ever read. It encompasses so many different areas of computer science that it has only been when I reread it years later that I really appreciated the full scope of the topics the book hits. Every footnote seems to branch off into another interesting facet of comp. sci. It is a bit challenging (it was geared to MIT students) but is definitely worth the read. If you get it make sure you track down MIT Scheme, the language used throughout the book, it'll help you get the most from the book, and is very interesting in its own right. In my opinion the approach the authors take is a much better one than that traditionally followed by "introductory" computer science texts.Book Review: It's the classic.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is known as "The Wizard Book" -- and for good reason. This book is lucid, clearly explained, and has a greater density of profound ideas per page than any other textbook I have ever seen. There is no other text which clearly presents so much of the foundations of computer science. Doing it in one semester is a frantic pace -- but it's well worth spending two or even three semesters covering it well. However, college studies aside, as a professional you will want to own this book and reread it from time to time. The stuff in it will strike sparks off the things you've been doing elsewhere and give you new ideas and perspectives -- routinely.
This is an extremely valuable book to own. I've recently gotten a new copy just because mine was getting worn out -- and it didn't wear out with light use....
Book Review: A brilliantly atrocious work
Summary: 2 Stars
As the standard text for the introductory computing course, I have heard vicious, bitter commentary as well as singificant praise from fellow computer science and past students.Nevertheless, there seems to be common points of agreement which my own experiences support. Simply there is fewer more ambitious and innovative books as this one. SICP covers such vast areas of programming theory in such terse, almost polemic language (helped by the use of arcane Scheme), that it can be covered almost as a poetic manual to the art of programming. As much as a meditation of the process as a procedural discourse on said subject.
Yes, is it appropriate for an introductory course? Clearly, the answer is NO. In fact, in our school, the book is literally thrown at the students, who are subject to learning the course by themselves with paltry guidance from professor or assistant. I assure you for a freshman who doesn't get the assistance that MIT students take for granted, the book becomes a puzzling, painful enigma that does more harm than good. Because the book requires a paradigm shift from linear to recursive problem solving, even seasoned programmers will need help to understand the key concepts.
Many peers have said that this book is essentially hostile to introductory programees. It seeks to teach theory; it seeks to teach method, but does neither particularly well for the sake of the audience. It fails rather miserably in introducing basic concepts in a manner anything related to an 18 year old computer student who just got out of high school. One conjectures that the terse language of the book suggests the reader should be already familiar with many of its concepts.
It is, in effect, forcing a child to learn "Hamlet" when he/she is trying to read Dr. Seuss.
Looking back at the book, frankly, I do find it remarkably rich. In fact, I'd wish such a course might have been taught after an APPROPRIATE introductory course on structures and program interpretation was taught. Alas, this book does claim to be an introductory programming book. In that sense, without significant assistance, this book bludgeonly fails to do so.
Book Review: Focus is on the art of programming
Summary: 5 Stars
Unfortunately, most of the computer books that I read focus on cookie cutter solutions to problems. As a professional software engineer, I dont just want "howtos" for a small collection of problems. SICP goes a long way to expanding your capacity to solve problems in a timely fashion. Be prepared to work! This book is very knowledge dense, and each exercise pays large dividends for the time invested. From a programmers point of view, you will fall in love with scheme very quickly. Keep in mind this book is about the larger art of programming and not just scheme. It just happens to be a powerful language for expression of high level abstractions and ideas. If you are tired of books that teach syntax and simple solutions, and you are ready for the next level in skill development, read SICP and do the exercises. It will become one of the most rewarding experiences of your software carreer.