Common Lispcraft

by Robert Wilensky

First there was LISPcraft, a tutorial introduction to Franz LISP, the most widely available real dialect of LISP. Now Robert Wilensky introduces students, teachers, and professionals to Common LISP. In an interactive session with the interpreter, readers of this book are introduced to the elements of the Common LISP language as well as to issues of programming style. Common LISPcraft Full documentation of every Common LISP function, symbol, and character. Standardization notes highlighted in the text. These draw attention to language features that are unspecified by the definition of Common LISP, that depend on the documentation, or that may be different in other LISP dialects. Detailed exposition of special Common LISP features, including multiple-value returns, structures, packages, and Common LISP data types. Expanded treatment of recursion, plus full discussion of I/O, debugging, system functions, and compilation. Examples of a variety of programming styles, with comments on good and bad style. Exercises that provide directions for further explorations, with a Solutions Manual available upon request. Two applied examples in the final chapters, to give the flavor of large-scale programming. Appendices summarizing Common LISP functions and special characters. Detachable pocket reference card for use at the terminal.

Genres: Computers, Programming, Computer Science

526 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1986

Reviews

[David Dranchak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Wilensky's textbook offers the perfect primer for someone interested in learning the LISP computer programming language. Wilensky, "obtained his B.A. in Mathematics in 1972, and his Ph.D. in Computer Science in 1978, both from Yale University." His interest in mathematics and computer science led him to the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

LISP is the programming language for AI research. It was originally developed to handle mathematical tasks. Since it's inception, however it has been used for various applications, e.g., information processing. LISP, an acronym that stands for "List Processing, is the second oldest high-level programming language in use today, FORTRAN being the oldest." Wilensky's book is easy to follow as he provides a measured approach to the language, starting with a vocabulary of commands and functions, sentence structure (syntax), and database structure. LISP has a unique syntax made up of "s-expressions," or parenthesized lists and explicit use of constructs for repetition or iteration and recursion. Robert Wilensky's general approach to Common Lisp language usage is to encourage a direct, vigorous programming style, and to oppose all artificiality firmly advising against unnecessary, convoluted syntax and redundant code.

Wilensky's book which was originally published in 1984 only experienced two reprints: 1986 and 1987. I have been using the 1986 edition of Wilensky's book with LispWorkls and it holds up.

You can find out more about Wilensky and what else he has written by visiting his website:

http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/Faculty/...

[Kazuya Sakakihara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had used this book to expand from what I learned in a programming course more than 25 years ago. It was the only Lisp book in the library so I didn't specifically pick this up, but it turned out to be a pretty good choice.
I don't remember much from the book, but it helped me implementing some meaningful amount of software in Common Lisp (I remember I used CLISP on a Linux box I build from pieces of junk hardware).
Eventually I ended up in a career in embedded system software, where Lisp isn't a popular choice, but working with this book was a great introduction to functional programming, which in fact is useful even in embedded system software.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sometimes just like to read about programming languages and software pedagogy. Honestly thought this was a great show introduction to thinking about computer science, almost SICP for dummies. Will probably go back and do several of the exercises to make a second pass. There are so many people who just go nuts over lisp and I wanted to see what it was about and this is a great point of entry, especially if you're coming from another language. A bit dated but I honestly didn't mind. The chapter on recursion was really good, it made it way more straight forward to think about. No regrets on this one!

[Sapphire Densetsu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather poor text, left a sour taste in my mouth for Lisp in general and Common Lisp specifically that I didn't shake off until years later when I decided to dive in earnest using different texts.