Subject: Re: Common Lisp for Schemers
From: Erik Naggum <erik@naggum.net>
Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 07:06:33 GMT
Newsgroups: comp.lang.lisp
Message-ID: <3222486395579953@naggum.net>

* Brian Campbell <lambda2000@yahoo.com>
| Are there any good introductions to Common Lisp for people who are 
| experienced in scheme? I would be especially interested in introductions 
| to CLOS, and also any gotchas in moving from scheme to Common Lisp (like 
| the defun/define distinction).

  There is only one gotcha: Thinking that being experienced in Scheme helps
  when you want to learn Common Lisp.  It does not.  In fact, much evidence
  (i.e., past students) seems to indicate that it prevents you from
  learning Common Lisp.  So to learn Common Lisp if you know Scheme, keep
  reminding yourself that any "Scheme ways" you think are similar are not.
  When you think you "get" Common Lisp, you may compare them, but at this
  point, it should be pointless.  If you think in Scheme and write Common
  Lisp, you will never learn Common Lisp.  Therefore, return to the state
  of mind of the novice before you embark on your journey.

///
-- 
  In a fight against something, the fight has value, victory has none.
  In a fight for something, the fight is a loss, victory merely relief.