From: Nat Pryce <nat.pryce@...13media.com>
Date: 2001-09-20T08:48:28+09:00
Subject: [ruby-talk:21419] Re: Ruby/objects book in style of The Little Lisper

> Yes, it looks like you can make it build, but the real question is why
> do you want to write in this style. If writing in that style is hard,
> it's even harder to read and refer back to books written in this style.
>
> >Please be frank. Writing in this style is surprisingly hard, so I want
> to
> >stop now if I'm not up to it.

The Little Lisper is not meant to be just read through, or used as a
reference.  It is meant to be read *actively*, at the computer.  It poses
questions, and you discover the answers, or read the answers and play with
the Lisp system to determine why the answer is true.  As you go through the
book you develop a deep, instinctive understanding of Lisp.

Personally I like the style, and although it takes some effort to get the
best out of that kind of book, it is well worth making the effort.  I think
there is room for both a Litle Ruby type book and more traditional
introductions or reference material.

Cheers,
        Nat.