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This seems like an appropriate place to write this. I'm a self taught programmer. If it wasn't for the internets I would be a pretty poor guy. Spolsky gave a n
by radagaisus 15y ago
This seems like an appropriate place to write this.
I'm a self taught programmer. If it wasn't for the internets I would be a pretty poor guy. Spolsky gave a nice answer on SO about teaching a newcomer how to program. He listed SICP, k&R and Code. I read SICP online and I downloaded a version of K&R. Both books had a fundamentally awesome impact on me and I just decided I should buy them along with Code.
All the tech books I've ever read I read online with the exception of The Definitive Guide to Action Script 5, which cost me 50$.
SICP is on sale for 80$
K&R is 50$
If I'm poor (or: a kid) I don't have 50$. Denying me the option to steal this books without harming anyone will just make me less educated.
- marshray 15y agoSICP is full text online by the publisher, you didn't "steal" it. You didn't need to "steal" K&R. It's a classic, but there are a whole lot of successful programmers who've never read it. I don't know where you are, but everywhere I've lived in the US there's at least one very cheap book on C in every used book sale or public library. Today of course, we have more information about programming and Computer Science free on the web than anyone could ever have time to read. I do buy relatively expensive computer books today when they fit my budget, but it's a rare book that has information I couldn't find on the web.
- radagaisus 15y agoNo, I didn't need to steal K&R, but it's better than online tutorials. If there's one thing that you should be allowed to steal, it's education.