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Add to SafariWhen comparing Structure and Intepretation of Computer Programs vs The Little Schemer, the Slant community recommends Structure and Intepretation of Computer Programs for most people. In the question“What are the best resources to introduce programming students to Functional Programming?” Structure and Intepretation of Computer Programs is ranked 1st while The Little Schemer is ranked 3rd. The most important reason people chose Structure and Intepretation of Computer Programs is:
This isn't a book you'll glean direct practical tidbits out of, an introduction to not only functional programming but how to think in a paradigm outside the usual way C*/Python/Ruby/Java/etc... are coded. Even if you wind up never working in Scheme or any other primarily functional language, the tactics and thought processes you'll learn here will apply to any currently-evolving language to a greater or lesser degree. You'll be able to map your thought process into the paradigm that works best for your current situation and not just be forced into a limited set of idioms that causes unnecessary boilerplate and clunky code mangling.
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Knowledge can be applied to any language
This isn't a book you'll glean direct practical tidbits out of, an introduction to not only functional programming but how to think in a paradigm outside the usual way C*/Python/Ruby/Java/etc... are coded.
Even if you wind up never working in Scheme or any other primarily functional language, the tactics and thought processes you'll learn here will apply to any currently-evolving language to a greater or lesser degree. You'll be able to map your thought process into the paradigm that works best for your current situation and not just be forced into a limited set of idioms that causes unnecessary boilerplate and clunky code mangling.
Pro Teaches very important programming concepts
Like closures and encapsulation without language support of objects.
Pro Very good for absolute beginners
This book gives a great insight about immutable and mutable state (with pros and cons), typisation, FP, OOP, and many other things in a very beginner-friendly manner
Pro Aids in teaching programming logic as well as Scheme
"The Little Schemer" teaches Scheme while also challenging the readers thought process in order to improve overall programming abilities.
Pro Creative and humorous teaching style
The authors write in a humorous and witty style that keeps the readers attention throughout the book.
Cons
Con Lack of detail for more difficult concepts
"The Little Schemer" does touch on more advanced Scheme concepts, however includes only a weak explanation of them. For more advanced topics, the sequel "The Seasoned Schemer", is required.
