+Back in May, a coworker and I got the idea to start up a little +seminar after work every couple of weeks with the plan to set aside +some time to learn and discuss new ideas together, along with anyone +else who cared to join us. +
+ ++Over the past several months, we've read our way through the first +three chapters of the book, watched the related video lectures, and +did (most of) the exercises. +
+ ++Aside from being a great excuse to unwind with friends after work +(which it is!), it's proved to be a great way to get through the +material. Doing a section of a chapter every couple of weeks is an +easy goal to meet, and meeting up to discuss it becomes something to +look forward to. We all get to enjoy a sense of accomplishment in +learning stuff that can be daunting or difficult to set aside time for +alone. +
+ ++The best part, by far, is getting different perspectives on the +material. Most of my learning tends to be solitary, so it's refreshing +to do it with a group. By reviewing the different concepts together, +we're able to gain insights and clarity we'd never manage on our +own. Even the simplest topics can spur interesting conversations. +
++Our first adventure together so far has been the venerable Structure +and Interpretation of Computer Programs. This book had been on my todo +list for a long time, but never quite bubbled to the top. I'm glad to +have the opportunity to go through it in this format, since there's +plenty of time to let really get into the excercises and let the +lessons sink in. +
+ ++SICP was originally an introductory textbook for MIT computer +programming courses. What sets it apart from most, though, is that it +doesn't focus so much on learning a particular programming language +(while the book does use and cover MIT Scheme) as it does on +identifying and abstracting out patterns common to most programming +problems. Because of that, the book is every bit as useful and +illuminating as ever, especially now that functional paradigms are +re-entering the spotlight and means of abstracting and composing +systems are as important as ever. +
++We've still got plenty of SICP left to get through. We've only just +gotten through Chapter 4, section 1, which has us building a scheme +interpreter in scheme, so there's plenty of fun left to be had +there. +
+ ++We're also staring to do some smaller, lunchtime review meetings +following the evening discussions to catch up the folks that can't +make it. I may also try sneaking in some smaller material, like +interesting blog posts, to keep things lively. +
+ ++If anyone's interested, I have the exercise work along with some notes +taken during the meetings hosted online. I apologize for the lack of +notes early on, I've been trying to get better at capturing memorable +excerpts and conversation topics recently. I may have to put some more +posts together later on summarizing what we discussed for each +chapter; if and when I do, they'll be posted on the seminar website. +
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