So I’m a computer science major and I just finished with the core C++ programming classes. After those classes I believe I have a good foundation of the C++ language as well as a good understaning of OO programming. Now I’m interested in learning a few other languages. Of all the languages out there right now my feeling is that Java/Javascript, C#, and VB, will be very beneficial to me. Feel free to recommend any other languages you feel would be helpful but the main topic of this thread is to get some good book recommendations. Thanks in advance for the suggestions!
The intro to Java class I took used this book. I have seen this book used for other Java classes too, so it must be pretty good.
Here’s the two Javascript books I always used. They assume quite a bit of programming expertise, but I think you have that covered.
I think you would do well to study LISP/Scheme, mainly because it’s radically different from everthing you’ll have studied at this point (e.g., it has no variables), and comparing that to what you know will make you think a lot. The Wizard book is the standard introduction to Scheme.
Sorry, I was confused when I wrote that post. That book is a very good introduction to computer science (which is to programming as math is to arithmetic), but it’s not the best introduction to the language.
I learned a little Scheme as part of a programming languages class, so I can’t recommend a book on the language itself. But you would do well to study it.
Scheme!? Holy crap, ultrafilter, is there anything you dont know?
FWIW, I found Scheme only helpful for learning how to think recursively. Beyond that, I found it tedious and tiring in the extreme.
Quite a few things. I’d like to learn them all eventually, but at the moment I’d be satisfied with knowing where my damn postage is.
LISP does have variables.
Back to the OP: one of these languages will keep you busy for awhile.
This is my collection of Common Lisp/Scheme online resources
[ul]
[li]Common Lisp the language, 2nd edition A good reference.[/li][li]Ch.2 of ANSI Common LISP By Paul Graham. Enough to get you started.[/li][li]Common Lisp:A Gentle Introduction to Symbolic Computation Another online book.[/li][li]How to Design Programs By 4 computer scientists at MIT.[/li][li]On Lisp By Paul Graham. Post-introductory book.[/li][li]Online version of SICP with associated code and assignments The book which ultrafilter linked to.[/li][li]All videos and lectures from Aduni project Aduni was a Philip Greenspun project that aimed to provide the entire CS undergrad education to smart candidates in one intensive year of coursework.[/li][/ul]
Download cygwin to get an unix emulator for Windows. Then, install variants of Scheme/Lisp/whatever…etc