thinkingeric

8 ms·

31.
Easing into SICP
299 points by thinkingeric 16y ago|46 comments
32.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
The 'us too' quality of that blog post is disturbing. They don't need to defend their architecture choices against people who naively assume that OO is an appropriate paradigm for all domains. The list of how 'design patterns' are really in
33.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
Ditto that. My first programs were in assembly on the 6502, and I'm thrilled to see it getting this attention. I'm just sorry that I don't still have the KIM-1.
34.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
The premise of RWDWS is flawed by assuming that the secondary market in stocks is 'free'. This book was published in 1973, and after the 'analytic' schemes of the 1960s (and continuing in the 70s), it had obvious appeal. What it did not acc
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by thinkingeric 16y ago
"I can just never do anything fun with it" Writing 'useful and compatible libraries' isn't fun?
36.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
Repeated so soon? http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2007504
37.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
In my code, where the binding forms would typically be longer than (a 1) or (b 2), they each go on their own line, and the editor will align them by their left parentheses. In those cases where the initialization form needs to be broken int
38.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
For experienced programmers, the clearest introduction to Common Lisp is the first few chapters of "Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence Programming: Case Studies in Common Lisp" by Peter Norvig. His writing style is exceptional. Not quite
39.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
"They were not built to solve a business need" That's not quite correct. It is perhaps more accurate to say they weren't built to solve your primary business need. They certainly solve the problem of getting unskilled people to be productiv
40.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
Over two decades of programming, I've read most of the books listed in this thread. Some of them contain real pearls, while others are undeservedly popular. In my opinion, each language is suited to (and perhaps designed for) certain kinds
41.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
You can buy historical 'tick data'. Be forewarned, however, that simulations run on this kind of data are not the same as real trading since it doesn't reflect the bid/ask. Also in my opinion and experience, price alone is insufficient data
42.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
This is true of practically any endeavor. Mr. Shaw's example applies to learning as well as teaching. Since he plays guitar, he probably appreciates the larger implications of what he's done with LPTHW.
43.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
You are fighting a losing battle. Drive and focus are either an integral part of who you are, or they aren't. Enjoy tinkering around, but you should adjust your expectations on the outcome. I know and work with lots of 'dabblers'. They are
44.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
Build in whatever the people who are going to maintain it after you've moved on are comfortable with .... if you still bear some responsibility at that point.
45.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
Practical? Yes. Desirable? Depends on who is going to maintain it.
46.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
I have a 3yo and 14mon old. Just about everything revolves around them, except for a precious couple of hours in the evening, when I have to decide between programming etc. and cleaning up. Because of professional demands on my time (tech l
47.
by thinkingeric 16y ago
As a manager I can tell you that I am looking for any clues I can find to mitigate the risk of bringing on a new person. "Experience' means very little if I have no way of assessing what a prospective employee/contractor did in those previo