CMU's common lisp book
https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dst/LispBook/book.pdf
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The book linked, "Common Lisp: A Gentle Introduction to Symbolic Computation" by David S. Touretzky, is a comprehensive guide to programming in Common Lisp. It's designed for beginners with some programming experience, aiming to teach not just Lisp syntax but also the principles of symbolic computation and the Lisp way of thinking about problems.
The key points of the book include:
- Introduction to Lisp Syntax: It starts with basics such as data types, control structures, and functions, catering to readers new to Lisp. The syntax of Lisp, characterized by its use of parentheses, is introduced early on.
- Symbolic Computation: A core theme of the book is symbolic computation, which is a strength of Lisp. This includes manipulating symbols and expressions, allowing for powerful abstraction and dynamic programming techniques.
- Functions: The book delves into defining and using functions, functional programming concepts, and higher-order functions, emphasizing Lisp's capabilities for function manipulation and creating abstract operations.
- Macros and Special Operators: Readers are introduced to macros, which allow for meta-programming and can greatly enhance the expressiveness and efficiency of code. Special operators for controlling flow and managing scoping rules are also covered.
- Data Structures: The treatment includes Lisp's built-in data structures like lists, vectors, and hash tables, along with operations to manipulate them. It emphasizes the importance of lists in Lisp programming.
- Practical Applications: While the book is gentle, it does not shy away from touching upon practical applications and more advanced topics, preparing readers to use Lisp for real-world problems and software development projects.
- Lisp Environment: Some coverage is given to the Lisp programming environment, helping readers understand how to use a Lisp system, debug programs, and work effectively with Lisp's REPL.
Overall, the book aims to be accessible, focusing on building a solid foundation in both Lisp and the concepts of symbolic computation. It's filled with exercises and examples to help solidify the readers' understanding and encourage a hands-on approach to learning.
- Practical applications this book talks about
"Common Lisp: A Gentle Introduction to Symbolic Computation" by David S. Touretzky introduces readers to various practical applications of Lisp, emphasizing the breadth of problems that can be tackled with this flexible programming language. Although the book primarily focuses on introducing Lisp and symbolic computation, it touches upon different areas where Lisp can be applied effectively.
### Some of the practical applications mentioned or implied in the book might include:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Expert Systems: Lisp has a long history of use in AI research and development. The book helps lay the foundation for understanding how Lisp can be used to create complex AI algorithms and expert systems.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP)*: Through examples and exercises, readers can see how Lisp's symbolic manipulation capabilities make it suitable for processing and understanding human (natural) languages.
- Symbolic Mathematics: The book delves into how Lisp can be used for symbolic math, enabling the manipulation of mathematical expressions in a symbolic form rather than just numerical computation.
- Data Analysis: While not a focus, the principles taught can be applied to data analysis tasks, thanks to Lisp's powerful data manipulation capabilities.
- Web Development: Although not a primary focus of this book, Lisp (and dialects such as Clojure) have been used for web development. The book lays a foundational understanding of Lisp that could be adapted to web development contexts.
- Software Prototyping: Lisp's flexibility and the rapid development cycle promoted in the book are ideal for prototyping software projects across many domains.
- Computer Graphics: Some exercises and discussions might hint at Lisp's potential to manage complex computer graphics operations, a field where Lisp has historically been used, particularly in academia and research.
### Conclusion
While "Common Lisp: A Gentle Introduction to Symbolic Computation" is aimed more at teaching the language and symbolic computation concepts rather than focusing heavily on specific applications, the skills and knowledge it imparts can be leveraged in a wide range of practical scenarios. By mastering the content of this book, readers would be well-equipped to apply Lisp to various problems in fields like AI, software development, data processing, and beyond.