I read this book in 10 sittings. In all honesty, it took me that long to understand material that came in chapter 3 and later. And I'm no novice. I've been programming for 10 years now, having done everything from compilers to database systems. I have never seen a worse book in my life. It is as if the authors are not trying to teach anything but are merely writing for glory and self gratification. I got the book in February based on some good comments on this page, and now I see that those people either had learning support in school, or they simply skimmed it and now have an illusion of having learned something profound. I certainly don't think the ideas here are of any practical value, and if they are (very few in this book) they have been known to all for a long time now. The first two chapters are a waste of space, and the rest are a waste of everyone's time. It is obvious this book was written to fill some dubious requirement at MIT and now other copycat colleges use it as well. I just feel sorry for the students who have to go through it all. At least I was able to return the book at will, having learned absolutely nothing.
Name:
Anonymous2013-06-16 4:59
You see all of these mental midgets always talking about ``practical value.'' I think it's clear they have never had the drive to understand anything.
I've been programming for 10 years now, having done everything from compilers to database systems
having done everything from compilers to database systems
everything from compilers to database systems
compilers to database systems
database systems
★☆☆☆☆
>>10
Actually "compiler to database systems" doesn't really seem like a varied spectrum that I think the author wanted to convey.
Name:
Anonymous2013-06-16 6:45
Post your last 2 exercises of sicp
Name:
Anonymous2013-06-16 6:47
>>12 Exercise 5.51. Develop a rudimentary implementation of Scheme in C (or some other low-level language of your choice) by translating the explicit-control evaluator of section 5.4 into C. In order to run this code you will need to also provide appropriate storage-allocation routines and other run-time support.
Exercise 5.52. As a counterpoint to exercise 5.51, modify the compiler so that it compiles Scheme procedures into sequences of C instructions. Compile the metacircular evaluator of section 4.1 to produce a Scheme interpreter written in C.
I've read the book 10 times in 1 sitting, and I can tell you it was gold every single time. Have you considered a change in career? Perhaps scrubbing toilets?
Exercise 5.53. Develop a rudimentary implementation of C (or some other low-level language of your choice) in Scheme by writing an explicit-control evaluator similar to that in section 5.4 in it.
Exercise 5.54. As a counterpoint to exercise 5.53, modify the compiler so that it compiles C procedures into sequences of machine instructions. Compile this compiler to produce a C compiler written in C.
>>1 It is as if the authors are not trying to teach anything but are merely writing for glory and self gratification.
What have you expected from the JEWS?
The SICP is the thing in itself, like Bible or Set Theory.
Finally went to buy a copy of SICP. the bipolar reviews, including a defense by Paul Graham, are amusing...
Name:
Anonymous2013-06-16 19:26
14 of 35 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars The hardest course in the world just got harder, June 24, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs - 2nd Edition (MIT Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) (Hardcover)
...and more boring. I read this book in 10 sittings. In all honesty, it took me that long to understand material that came in chapter 3 and later. And I'm no novice. I've been programming for 10 years now, having done everything from compilers to database systems. I have never seen a worse book in my life. It is as if the authors are not trying to teach anything but are merely writing for glory and self gratification. I got the book in February based on some good comments on this page, and now I see that those people either had learning support in school, or they simply skimmed it and now have an illusion of having learned something profound. I certainly don't think the ideas here are of any practical value, and if they are (very few in this book) they have been known to all for a long time now. The first two chapters are a waste of space, and the rest are a waste of everyone's time. It is obvious this book was written to fill some dubious requirement at MIT and now other copycat colleges use it as well. I just feel sorry for the students who have to go through it all. At least I was able to return the book at will, having learned absolutely nothing.
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Anonymous2013-06-16 19:44
>>22
You've never tried to compare the technical logic of Clang and GCC. GCC structure is so illegible that it isn't far from being obfuscated. Clang's architecture makes it so much easier to follow what's happening.