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Suggested Scheme Interpreter/Compiler for Learning the Language?

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haziz

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May 4, 2012, 1:51:34 PM5/4/12
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Which Scheme interpreter or Compiler do you suggest for learning the language? I will be reading from Dybvigs "The Scheme Programming Language" book (probably the third rather than the fourth edition) and the Little Schemer. I have installed Guile and was considering adding the Petite Chez Scheme interpreter. Another option would be the PLT-Scheme, which I did not warm up to in the past on very superficial use, or MIT Scheme.

I will be working mainly from the command line, on mainly a Linux (Debian) machine, but I also work with a Mac and occasionally Windows (mainly command line using MinGW). I will also be using emacs with which I am fairly comfortable.

Any other suggestions, feedback or input?

John Cowan

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May 4, 2012, 3:15:18 PM5/4/12
to John Cowan
On Friday, May 4, 2012 1:51:34 PM UTC-4, haziz wrote:

> Which Scheme interpreter or Compiler do you suggest for learning
> the language? I will be reading from Dybvigs "The Scheme
> Programming Language" book (probably the third rather than the
> fourth edition) and the Little Schemer. I have installed Guile
> and was considering adding the Petite Chez Scheme interpreter.
> Another option would be the PLT-Scheme, which I did not warm up
> to in the past on very superficial use, or MIT Scheme.

Any of those would be a perfectly reasonable option. Note that PLT
Scheme is now called Racket. Presumably the match with TSPL will
be the best with Chez, but most of the book is not (as far as
I remember) Chez-dependent. Note that Guile 2.x and Chez 8.x are R6RS,
whereas MIT is R5RS. Racket has both modes.

> I will be working mainly from the command line, on mainly a Linux
> (Debian) machine, but I also work with a Mac and occasionally
> Windows (mainly command line using MinGW). I will also be using
> emacs with which I am fairly comfortable.

With only a few exceptions, all Schemes (definitely all of those
you mentioned) are portable to all major OS environments.

Marc Feeley

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May 14, 2012, 10:44:55 AM5/14/12
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In addition to installing easily on the main desktop operating
systems, Gambit has been ported to the iPhone, iPad and Android
devices. This can be useful to learn the language while on the move.

Marc
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