Books you can read to teach yourself programming
Peter Norvig recommends these 4 books:
Python Programming: An Introduction to Computer Science, 3rd Ed.: John Zelle: 9781590282755
- Rated 4.4 by 274 users
-
Python Programming: An Intro to CS (Zelle) is a good introduction using Python. (Posted on Blog)
- says Peter Norvig - Add your opinion
Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer Programming (The MIT Press): Peter Van Roy, Seif Haridi: 9780262220699
- Rated 3.4 by 13 users
-
Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer Programming (Van Roy & Haridi) is seen by some as the modern-day successor to Abelson & Sussman. It is a tour through the big ideas of programming, covering a wider range than Abelson & Sussman while being perhaps easier to read and follow. It uses a language, Oz, that is not widely known but serves as a basis for learning other languages. (Posted on Blog)
- says Peter Norvig - Add your opinion
How to Design Programs: An Introduction to Programming and Computing (The MIT Press): Matthias Felleisen, Robert Bruce Findler, Matthew Flatt, Shriram Krishnamurthi: 9780262534802
- Rated 4 by 17 users
-
How to Design Programs (Felleisen et al.) is one of the best books on how to actually design programs in an elegant and functional way. (Posted on Blog)
- says Peter Norvig - Add your opinion
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2005] Harold Abelson, Gerald Jay Sussman, Julie Sussman: Gerald Jay Sussman, Julie Sussman Harold Abelson: 9788173715273
- Rated 4.6 by 161 users
-
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (Abelson & Sussman) is probably the best introduction to computer science, and it does teach programming as a way of understanding the computer science. The book is challenging and will weed out some people who perhaps could be successful with another approach. (Posted on Blog)
- says Peter Norvig - Add your opinion
Peter Norvig says,
Director of Research - Google
Several people have asked what books and web pages they should learn from. I repeat that "book learning alone won't be enough" but I can recommend these books to start with.
As seen on Peter Norvig's Twitter stream
Want to see someone's reading list here? Send us an email to collectoral@guesswork.co