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Review: Clojure Programming

elangoc 14y ago
I'm slowly working my way through the book in order to write a review, myself. I've only gotten through the Chapter 1-Down the Rabbit Hole, but already, I'm pretty happy with how the book is fairly gradual and walks you through what it's presenting to you.
cemerick 14y ago
Thanks to Avi for the very kind words. FYI, the preface, ToC, and first chapter are available here [PDF]: http://cdn.oreilly.com/oreilly/booksamplers/9781449394707_sampler.pdf http://cdn.oreilly.com/oreilly/booksamplers/9781449394707_sa...
tierack 14y ago
I've been through Clojure Programming, The Joy of Clojure, and Programming Clojure, and this is the one I'm recommending. The review hits on many of the reasons, but I also particularly liked how this book dealt with Java interop (not until after a solid foundation had been built around Clojure). I feel that many JVM language books jump too fast into talking about interacting with Java, to the detriment of learning the language in question.
- mattdeboard 14y ago
  Agreed on all. All three have their strengths and I respect their authors immensely. That said, I have to strongly, strongly recommend newcomers check this book out first, especially if you're coming from another high level language. Clojure Programming's introduction to what makes lisps lisps as well as the overview of functional programming really sets it apart. The constant comparison to analogs in other languages is also very helpful for coming to grips with Clojure (I'm a casual Clojure hobbyist hacker with slightly more than passing familiarity with the language, and I'm still getting a lot out of every page.)
flashingpumpkin 14y ago
Looks like the host is not quite keeping up anymore - cached version: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aviflax.com/post/review-clojure-programming-by-chas-emerick-brian-carper-and-cristophe-grand/&hl=en&prmd=imvns&strip=1 http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aviflax...
- aviflax 14y ago
  Working on it!
  - aviflax 14y ago
    Oh man, I had no idea resizing my Linode server would take so long! Current status: Migrate Filesystem - Ubuntu 9.10 Disk Image from newark100.linode.com Entered: 9 minutes 51 seconds ago - Took: 7 minutes, 7 seconds 31.6% done, 15:20 to go, 11.98 MB/s
- aviflax 14y ago
  Back up! For how long, I don’t know… wish me luck!
john2x 14y ago
Any recommendations for someone who isn't familiar with FP at all? Thanks!
- cemerick 14y ago
  FWIW, the book does not make any assumptions about the reader's understanding or prior awareness of functional programming. At the same time, I hope we made the narrative interesting and entertaining enough for those that are already conversant in FP and such.
- billsix 14y ago
  1) Simply Scheme 2) The Littler Schemer 3) ANSI Common Lisp 4) On Lisp 5) Practical Common Lisp 6) Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs 7) Let over Lambda
- Sikul 14y ago
  The Little Schemer
darklajid 14y ago
Thanks a lot for that nudge. Just fighting Amazon to give me a digital version. I wanted to buy a Clojure book for quite some time, but this time I was converted successfully (having played with ClojureScript last night certainly helped to intrigue me again).

I'm slowly working my way through the book in order to write a review, myself. I've only gotten through the Chapter 1-Down the Rabbit Hole, but already, I'm pretty happy with how the book is fairly gradual and walks you through what it's presenting to you.

cemerick 14y ago

Thanks to Avi for the very kind words. FYI, the preface, ToC, and first chapter are available here [PDF]: http://cdn.oreilly.com/oreilly/booksamplers/9781449394707_sampler.pdf http://cdn.oreilly.com/oreilly/booksamplers/9781449394707_sa...

tierack 14y ago

I've been through Clojure Programming, The Joy of Clojure, and Programming Clojure, and this is the one I'm recommending. The review hits on many of the reasons, but I also particularly liked how this book dealt with Java interop (not until after a solid foundation had been built around Clojure). I feel that many JVM language books jump too fast into talking about interacting with Java, to the detriment of learning the language in question.

mattdeboard 14y ago
Agreed on all. All three have their strengths and I respect their authors immensely. That said, I have to strongly, strongly recommend newcomers check this book out first, especially if you're coming from another high level language. Clojure Programming's introduction to what makes lisps lisps as well as the overview of functional programming really sets it apart. The constant comparison to analogs in other languages is also very helpful for coming to grips with Clojure (I'm a casual Clojure hobbyist hacker with slightly more than passing familiarity with the language, and I'm still getting a lot out of every page.)

flashingpumpkin 14y ago

Looks like the host is not quite keeping up anymore - cached version: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aviflax.com/post/review-clojure-programming-by-chas-emerick-brian-carper-and-cristophe-grand/&hl=en&prmd=imvns&strip=1 http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:aviflax...

aviflax 14y ago
Working on it!
- aviflax 14y ago
  Oh man, I had no idea resizing my Linode server would take so long! Current status: Migrate Filesystem - Ubuntu 9.10 Disk Image from newark100.linode.com Entered: 9 minutes 51 seconds ago - Took: 7 minutes, 7 seconds 31.6% done, 15:20 to go, 11.98 MB/s
aviflax 14y ago
Back up! For how long, I don’t know… wish me luck!

john2x 14y ago

Any recommendations for someone who isn't familiar with FP at all? Thanks!

cemerick 14y ago
FWIW, the book does not make any assumptions about the reader's understanding or prior awareness of functional programming. At the same time, I hope we made the narrative interesting and entertaining enough for those that are already conversant in FP and such.
billsix 14y ago
1) Simply Scheme 2) The Littler Schemer 3) ANSI Common Lisp 4) On Lisp 5) Practical Common Lisp 6) Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs 7) Let over Lambda
Sikul 14y ago
The Little Schemer

darklajid 14y ago

Thanks a lot for that nudge. Just fighting Amazon to give me a digital version. I wanted to buy a Clojure book for quite some time, but this time I was converted successfully (having played with ClojureScript last night certainly helped to intrigue me again).