Books · computer science textbook
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and Sussman
Hacker Approved
Recommended as a classic programming text that teaches computer science concepts through Scheme, with free online and PDF versions. Caveat: problems are mostly toy examples.
Summarized from 15 comments.
Recommended as a classic programming text that teaches computer science concepts through Scheme, with free online and PDF versions. Caveat: problems are mostly toy examples.
- recommend
- 12
- criticize
- 0
- months recommended
- 9 of 13
Why people love it
Taught through Scheme · 3
I wouldn't be half the computer programmer, that I am today, without going the SICP and Scheme way.
Nov 2025 · commentit's worth at least trying to go through SICP in Scheme
Jul 2026 · commentthe SICP it's cool to do with Chicken Scheme
Aug 2026 · commentShaped how people program and think · 2
I wouldn't be half the computer programmer, that I am today, without going the SICP and Scheme way.
Nov 2025 · commentAll of this had a lasting effect on how I program and think.
Jun 2026 · commentAccessible online and as PDF · 2
Online, interactive SICP in the browser, you don't need to install anything
Aug 2026 · commentGet the SICP PDF and start doing SICP.
Apr 2026 · commentElegant, inspiring examples · 2
I always found the beginning of SICP (the wizard-programmer analogy) quite inspiring and fun
Dec 2025 · commentthe problems are mostly toys - useful elegant examples
Jul 2026 · comment
What people warn about
Problems are mostly toy examples · 1
the problems are mostly toys - useful elegant examples
Jul 2026 · comment
What hackers pick instead
- Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs by Abelson and SussmanClassic computer science text that teaches how programs are built, using Scheme to explore abstraction and interpretation; critics say some of its examples are non-idiomatic and dated.55recommend
- The Art of Computer Programming by Donald E. KnuthDonald Knuth's multi-volume classic on algorithms, praised for rigor, depth and lasting relevance; critics say its MIX pseudo-assembly language feels dated.28recommend
- Quantum Computation and Quantum Information by Nielsen and ChuangRecommended as the standard, clear introduction to quantum mechanics and quantum computation, used heavily by researchers. Critics note it assumes strong linear algebra background and is hard to self-learn from.12recommend
- Digital Design and Computer Architecture by Harris and HarrisRecommended as a clear, gate-level introduction to digital design and computer architecture, good for self study. No critics recorded.8recommend
- Types and Programming Languages by Benjamin C. PierceRecommended as the main book on type systems for its good coverage, though critics find its type-system treatment rudimentary and less grounded than CI.7recommend
Every quote
The 12 most detailed of 15 comments. Each links to the original.
I wouldn't be half the computer programmer, that I am today, without going the SICP and Scheme way.
Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “Racket v9.0”
I always found the beginning of SICP (the wizard-programmer analogy) quite inspiring and fun
Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “Autism's confusing cousins”
Online, interactive SICP in the browser, you don't need to install anything
Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “Simplifying and Refactoring Introductory Calculus”
All of this had a lasting effect on how I program and think.
Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “HP re-releases classic computer science calculator: The HP-16C”
it's worth at least trying to go through SICP in Scheme
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “A Road to Lisp: Why Lisp”
the problems are mostly toys - useful elegant examples
Mixed · Jul 2026 · in “Solid and Clean Code never felt solid or clean to me”
the SICP it's cool to do with Chicken Scheme
Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “Chicken Scheme 6.0 Released”
Get the SICP PDF and start doing SICP.
Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “The seven programming ur-languages”
SICP chapter 4 is the metacircular evaluator, chapter 5 is the compiler.
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “Scarf has moved away from Haskell”
SICP was nice although nicest was the one about gravitational physics
Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “Autism's confusing cousins”
allows to focus purely on computer science concepts which is great
Recommends · Jul 2026 · in “Teaching Kids Forth – Anna Liberty”
maybe SICP if you know how to reimplement (frame)
Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Raspberry Pi and mini PC home lab prices hit parity as DRAM costs skyrocket”
Counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, Nov 2025 to Nov 2026. How we count · Report a mistake