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From: smcl@sytex.com (Scott McLoughlin)
Subject: Lisp texts, whas <Why you should not...
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References: <DJOHNSON.94Sep27161511@seuss.ucsd.edu>
Date: Wed, 28 Sep 1994 08:44:47 GMT
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Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu gnu.misc.discuss:18458 comp.lang.tcl:19501 comp.lang.scheme:10048

djohnson@seuss.ucsd.edu (Darin Johnson) writes:

> In computers, most non-programmers are scared to death
> of using anything called a programming language.  Yet
> they will gladly accept any unintelligable 4GL, go to
> seminars in how to use it, learn a new editing method,
> and so forth, but they feel that it's ok because it's
> not a programming language (and those are hard you know).
> Also, people will use this stillborn thing called tinymush
> and learn all about regular expressions and use 2-letter
> variable names and so forth, all because they think it's
> simpler than a programming language.  Add an optional

Howdy,
        Very accurate assessment of what I've been calling
"the trenches".  I think that Lispy texts are fascinating,
but I know that most folks out there aren't like me ;-(
        I think that the growth of the Lisp community
would really benefit from a "HOW TO" style introductory
text.  Start out emphasizing: simple arithmetic, string
handling and file io.  Only then get into more
complicated examples.  Don't go near tough stuff like
labels vs. loop, etc.  Don't remember title/author, but
a recent ML text was praised for being rather "practical"
in this sense.
        One could also just jump right in with using
(declare) from the beginning and user's faster programs
might make them like lisp more.  Include lots of 
sample code -- many folks don't read texts; they just
use the samples as a sort of boiler plate for what
they want to do.  This isn't _SO BAD_.  These folks
get a regular syntax, power and protection from
weird errors and the enthusiasts get critical mass
to provide a (financial) base for more interesting
things, writing, consulting, research, what have you.
        But to get the ball rolling, a dirt cheap
but ok implementation with lots of FFI goodies would
be nice. A man can dream...

=============================================
Scott McLoughlin
Conscious Computing
=============================================
