[racket-users] Re: Newbie seeking advice

2016-12-20 Thread Luis Sanjuán
On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 10:47:59 AM UTC+1, steve.lett777 wrote:
> I really want to learn programming but I am a slow learner. How do I know if 
> I can achieve learning programming or not? Am I wasting my time trying?
> 
> And after that one is answered, Which language should I learn programming in, 
> Racket, Scheme, or Python?

I would recommend HtDP/2e. It is actually language-agnostic and it really 
teaches invaluable programming fundamentals (whatever the languages you are 
going to use) that you won't find easily anywhere else.

You could also try a great MOOC based on this book:

https://www.edx.org/xseries/how-code-systematic-program-design

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Re: [racket-users] Re: Newbie seeking advice

2016-12-20 Thread David Storrs
I definitely recommend Racket.  It will let you work in functional,
procedural, and object-oriented styles without having to fight against your
language / learn a new language full of new syntax/libraries etc.  Also,
speaking as a professional programmer with *mumble, mumble* years of
experience, I recommend Racket.  I only discovered it a few months ago and
I am totally in love, to the point where I'm using it for my new startup
instead of a language I have substantially more experience with that would
be easier to hire for.

I also second Royall's pointer to "The Little Schemer".  Excellent, very
approachable book that packs a significant amount of learning into a format
so easy that you may not even recognize how much you're learning until
you've learned it.

Plus, if you have any questions the list is here.  They were really
understanding of me when I was first fumbling around.

Good luck!


On Tue, Dec 20, 2016 at 8:31 AM, 'Royall Spence' via Racket Users <
racket-users@googlegroups.com> wrote:

> On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 4:47:59 AM UTC-5, steve.lett777 wrote:
> > I really want to learn programming but I am a slow learner. How do I
> know if I can achieve learning programming or not? Am I wasting my time
> trying?
> >
> > And after that one is answered, Which language should I learn
> programming in, Racket, Scheme, or Python?
>
> It depends on what you want to do with your programming, but I believe
> Racket is a fine place to start and/or stay. Start with something simple
> and step your way through. A book like Realm Of Racket can show you through
> lots of example programs. The Little Schemer (Racket is a type of Scheme)
> will teach elements of functional programming, which is a crucial concept
> for well-organized, reliable code. Spend enough time programming and it
> becomes clear that the real trick (besides making something work) is
> writing software that is easy to modify down the road.
>
> It's good that you do not expect the process to be quick. You won't be
> able to understand things at the pace you're able to read them. Expect to
> grasp little pieces at a time and to learn the same lessons over and over
> until they become habitual patterns of thought. Eventually, you'll start to
> form your own opinions and decide if Racket is what you want to continue
> using.
>
> --
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[racket-users] Re: Newbie seeking advice

2016-12-20 Thread 'Royall Spence' via Racket Users
On Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at 4:47:59 AM UTC-5, steve.lett777 wrote:
> I really want to learn programming but I am a slow learner. How do I know if 
> I can achieve learning programming or not? Am I wasting my time trying?
> 
> And after that one is answered, Which language should I learn programming in, 
> Racket, Scheme, or Python?

It depends on what you want to do with your programming, but I believe Racket 
is a fine place to start and/or stay. Start with something simple and step your 
way through. A book like Realm Of Racket can show you through lots of example 
programs. The Little Schemer (Racket is a type of Scheme) will teach elements 
of functional programming, which is a crucial concept for well-organized, 
reliable code. Spend enough time programming and it becomes clear that the real 
trick (besides making something work) is writing software that is easy to 
modify down the road.

It's good that you do not expect the process to be quick. You won't be able to 
understand things at the pace you're able to read them. Expect to grasp little 
pieces at a time and to learn the same lessons over and over until they become 
habitual patterns of thought. Eventually, you'll start to form your own 
opinions and decide if Racket is what you want to continue using.

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