I don't mean to sound cynical, but SICP is a beginners manual. The fact that it's used in MIT is irrelevant. IF you cannot understand SICP then dare I say, programming is not cut out for you.
However, if you're still adamant about learning, then I would recommend first learning x86 assembly, or picking up a book about how a computer actually works, and only then moving onto C/C++. Whatever you do, for the love of God please do not learn Java as your first language. It will cripple you beyond recovery as a programmer. I don't want to bore you with my usual spiel about Java, but please heed my warning. Do not learn Java first, please...
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Anonymous2008-11-20 2:29
>>10
A few years ago they went from teaching Scheme to teaching Java to freshmen of Helsinki University of Technology. If professors agree that Java is better for that purpose, who are you to disagree?
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Anonymous2008-11-20 2:43
I started with HtDP, I thought that SICP was too tough for a complete beginner. It was a big mistake, SICP really is the best as a first book, it explains everything HtDP in a more concise manner, in a way that isn't unnecessarily overcomplicated, just quick.
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Anonymous2008-11-20 3:55
>>11
It means they've lowered their standards because people are getting more stupid and they don't want to see the averages fall. Also, JavaSchools.
>>10 -IF you cannot understand SICP then dare I say, programming is not cut out for you. +IF you cannot understand SICP then dare I say, you are not cut out for programming.
lern2english
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Anonymous2008-11-20 10:04
>>18 * IF you cannot understand SICP then dare I say, yout for programot
/ IF you cannon understand SICP then dare I say, you are not cut out for prderstand SICP
>>22 Save SICP when you want to learn how to program well.
If you don't want to learn how to program well, don't bother at all.
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Anonymous2008-11-20 18:18
>>11
What can I say, your so called ``professors'' are merely human, flesh and blood and bone. They are able to make mistakes. Why do you think they changed to Java in the first place? Because they felt they made a mistake with the original course, which necessitated the need for change.
Nobody gets it right the first time.
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Anonymous2008-11-20 18:21
>>29 Nobody gets it right the first time.
I do. Every time.
I admit that I did hax an anus once in my youth, but I did not inhale.
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Anonymous2008-11-20 21:21
Paul Graham is a faggot. SICP is not a book for beginners.
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Anonymous2008-11-21 0:14
>>34
Paul Graham is a HUGE faggot. SICP is not a book for beginners who want to be spoon-fed.
*FIXED*
Anyway, let's talk in practical terms. C/C++ will make you a huge faggot yes, but they're the two most commonly used languages in desktop development. C#(and VB even more so) will make you a HUGE MS cock sucking faggot, but .NET is commonly used in web development. Same goes for JAVA(which will make you an even bigger faggot than the MSfags) and PHP(HAHAHAHA, faggot.)
Can you make money programming SCHEME/LISP/HASKELL/ETC? Yep, there's a market for nearly any language. In fact, learning COBOL(you.... FAGGOT) would likely guarantee you a job, as there's so much COBOL legacy code around that needs maintenance/porting it's not even funny.
Frankly, at the end of the day, it's better to make money and be a faggot than to be poor and also potentially(most likely) a faggot.
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Anonymous2008-11-21 0:55
>>25
This looks useful to this Anon contemplating to learn Lisp one day. Thanks.
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Anonymous2008-11-21 1:12
fyi if you ever want to be ANY good at recursive programming then suck it down and learn some scheme, and the best way for that is sicp
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Anonymous2008-11-21 1:18
>>37
Scheme is excessive, it is just the Sussman's way of proving a point. We get it, Jerry, now leave us alone.
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Anonymous2008-11-21 2:35
>>36
Why would you contemplate learning Lisp one day rather than doing it right now? It's kind of a no-brainer.