A programmer's advice on learning lisp

in

(Source and copyright: "Learning lisp" - The old Joel on Software Forum)

"Dude,

I'm a working Common Lisp programmer. I have just GOT to be the stupidest Common Lisp programmer alive, so let me tell you how I learnt Common Lisp.

  1. Buy ANSI Common Lisp by Paul Graham.
  2. Read it. But if you feel your head starts spinning, just stop. Read David Tourestky's (sp?) Gentle Introduction to Symbolic Computation with Common Lisp. (or something like that - it's free and on the web). Go back to Paul Graham. It will be MUCH easier.
  3. Next read Object oriented programming with common lisp by Sonya Keene. This is the best tutorial on object oriented programming ever.
  4. Next read Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming with Common Lisp for experience on writing real world common lisp.

Some tips:

When learning CL use a trial edition of a commercial environmentment: www.franz.com www.lispworks.com

Ignore ANYONE that recommends learning scheme or reading books teach scheme (i.e. structured interpretation of computer programs or simply scheme blah blah total waste of time (okay except for How to Design Programs - that wasn't half bad)).

Regs,

Lisp Programmer - Thursday, April 08, 2004"

[I do not necessarily agree with his statements -- ymeme]

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Scheme considered harmful?

Submitted by Pragmattica (not verified) on Fri, 08/02/2008 - 22:43.

I noticed your disclaimer at the bottom, that you don't necessarily agree with his statements. So, just for clarification, which parts do you agree with and which do you disagree with? I'm ask because I'm currently interested in trying to figure out what lies above Python, my current favorite language, and I've been playing with Gambit Scheme. Is this a bad idea?