The first section of SICP looks at the process, i.e., the relationship and glue between data, and uses LISP as a means to conceptualize this relationship. Abelson and Sussman attempt to separate the “abstract” and invisible logic from the data that this relationship manipulates. They use LISP, LISt Processing, to bring out that underlying logic and treat the relationship as a conceptual object in itself. With LISP, they can name and control the movement of bits (process) through rules (LISP’s syntax), which manipulates data (building blocks). Read more...

Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs opens with a bang by focusing on programming as a thought process of doing something and emphasizing the how of programming and not the what of programming. Many resources that teach programming gravitate towards implementing a specific language and focus on its syntax. This is useful when trying to find a job, but does not offer much explanation on how programming itself works. SICP attempts to abstract from the language, not to distance itself from programming, but to synthesize and fully conceptualize the underlying structures of programming. Read more...