Ask HN: Is SICP/HtDP still worth reading in 2023? Any alternatives?

If you are concerned with the core concepts of computing with Von Neumann-esque machines then SICP will certainly cover it.

SICP's big mind-expanding thing is that it teaches CS 101 through the process of building, from within a computational system, an entirely new computational system

favour HtDP over SICP at first

SICP is absolutely worth reading

Working through the original SICP (including doing ALL of the exercises!) had the largest tangible positive effect on my ability to code

In any case, sicp is great, just read it.

SICP is the bomb.

I think it won’t ever hurt to know the topics in SICP.

Read SICP. even if you don't end up writing any Scheme, you'll be a better programmer for it.

SICP is a book that is a bit hard to start.

SICP is a beautiful book.

Try SICP at some point, no matter what else you learn.

programming has changed a lot since SICP came out

SICP is the best programming book i've ever read, and one of the best of any kind.

like SICP, it offers a different way of looking at things

SICP is a great and mind-expanding book; but I came to it fairly late

the videos, read the relevant part of the book

There are versions of SICP adapted for Python like this one: https://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs61a/sp12/book/ and https://wizardforcel.gitbooks.io/sicp-in-python/content/.

I dont know about practicality but Ive read a good amount of SICP and find it very entertaining

SICP provided a different way of understanding programming.

SICP is an amazing book that will make you a better programmer

SICP gets challenging in the very first chapter. You should aim to do about 1/3rd of the exercises

The concepts in SICP are timeless. There's nothing to be lost going through that book.

I think so.

there are a couple reasons to read those books

same goes for The Art of Computer Programming

TAoCP (er, Knuth's "The Art of Computer Programming")

It is also worth reading the Little Schemer at the same time.

HtDP more so. It builds a thinking and problem solving framework for your mind.

Likewise favour HtDP over SICP at first, I've been there.

HtDP is also worth taking a look at, and is much easier than SICP.

HtDP is explicitly focused on teaching you patterns of thought that will help you create well-structured programs.

Second that recommendation.

courses How to Code: Simple Data amd How to Code: Complex Data on edX that are based on HtDP.

I think so.

i say this as someone who has not read either of those books

Perhaps even better than the the other two.

Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer Programming is also a great book.

go ahead a little bit with “Practical Common Lisp” to learn CLOS

C++ programming language, third edition by Stroustrup.

The design approach to programming it teaches you will serve you for the rest of your career.

I've heard from even experienced developers that the design recipe and systematic techniques taught in HTDP have benefited them

HtDP is a great book, but probably too elementary for the average HN reader looking to begin with SICP.

HtDP isn't really mind-blowing the same way SICP can be.

Consider having a look at Object-Oriented Software Construction by Bertrand Meyer

It's really interesting stuff though, all about how to make really extensible systems.

I haven't started it yet, but I have great expectations of ”Software Design for Flexibility: How to Avoid Programming Yourself into a Corner" by Hanson & Sussman.