Tag: Learning
From Scheme to Common Lisp, A Syntax Reference
Lisp is quite common in Computer Science. As a nearly “syntax free” language, it is an excellent language for explaining computational concepts. Although it is quite common to see the Lisp dialect Scheme (or a equally trimmed down pseudo-lisp) used, there are some great texts written in Common Lisp, a few still in Emacs Lisp, [...]
Learning the Luddite Way
I frequently buy eBooks on any topic that peaks my interest. But when I want to learn something in earnest, I buy a print copy and lug it around with me. I underline, make margin notes, test things, and make long lists of things to come back to and practice later. It’s an excruciatingly slow [...]
PHP 5.3 Nowdoc Support
One of the missing things from PHP was the ability to have a multiline quote without evaluation. Sure, PHP came close with single quote marks ‘, but they required escaping. Heredoc syntax was a close second, but at minimum require escaping dollar signs $. Even output buffers, as phenomenal as a tool as they are, [...]
Breaking Through The Little Schemer multirember&co Wall
I hit the proverbial wall. Everything was going swimmingly in my read through The Little Schemer until I hit page 137 and the introduction of multirember&co. Though I had not been planning on referencing the internet, I had to admit temporary defeat and look for help wrapping my head around my first exposure to a [...]
Factoring out the Human Condition
Everyone, both programmers and non-programmers alike, can gain a lot from reading Mark-Jason Dominus’ article “Why I Hate Advocacy.” It confronts the human tendency to become emotionally attached to our choices, and in turn view alternative choices in a hostile light. When the choice is about programming languages, it hurts the entire programming community. Programming [...]