I haven't had time to read the entire thing, but the first few chapters are absolutely enlightening. It's still worth while, and definitely on my "Why can't I find more time to read this?" list. Pick up a copy, you should be able to get it fairly cheap used online. Even if you don't read it cover to cover, and pick out random bits, it's going to be worth it.
I'm sure someone who's read it and done all the problems will have more light to shed on the topic, but do it.
As far as the shift to Python, though I think it's a bad choice to give up Scheme for this course, I think they picked a language that is prone to learning, and supports enough interesting concepts that it's still fairly powerful. Plus, since there are tons of projects out there using Python, it gives new students a tool that they can use in the real world right away. Scheme's community lacks widely used projects that have major impact.
Plus, if nothing else, it'll teach newbies to indent properly. :)
On Jul 12, 2007, at 11:18 PM, Toby DiPasquale wrote:
Hi all,
I met with Ed Watkeys over this past weekend and he again mentioned "SICP", or "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" by Abelson and Sussman. This used to be standard issue for MIT CS 101 until they punked out and went to Python.
My question to this list is: how many of you have actually read SICP (or watched all the videos)? What did you think of it? Is it as worthwhile now as it was back in the '80's? I've not read it and am wondering if I should pick it up.
-- Toby DiPasquale
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