LISP 1.5 Programmer's Manual
LISP 1.5 Programmer's Manual
John McCarthy
Alan Kay
I have called this the 'Maxwell’s Equations' of computing, because it presents a very large part of what’s important about programming languages. - Alan Kay
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LISP 1.5 Programmer's Manual

LISP 1.5 PROGRAMMER'S MANUAL

John McCarthy
By
John McCarthy
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In the annals of computing, few texts are as seminal as the "LISP 1.5 Programmer's Manual" by John McCarthy, a document that not only introduced the world to the LISP programming language but also laid the groundwork for much of modern computer science. This manual, more than just a guide, is a historical artifact that encapsulates the ambitious vision of its era: to create a language that could not only facilitate the calculation of algorithms but also elegantly process symbolic information. McCarthy's work is a testament to the power of abstraction, offering a deep dive into the mechanics of LISP 1.5, from its symbolic expression processing to its unique approach to function definition and recursion, illuminating the path for generations of programmers and theoreticians. Beyond its technical merits, the "LISP 1.5 Programmer's Manual" stands as a monument to the spirit of innovation and intellectual curiosity that defined the early days of computer science. With clarity and precision, it covers the implementation details, the theoretical underpinnings of LISP, and its applications, making it an indispensable resource for those looking to understand not just the 'how' but also the 'why' behind one of computing's most influential languages. Whether one is a student of computer history, a practitioner of artificial intelligence, or simply someone with an interest in the evolution of programming languages, McCarthy's manual remains a profound piece of literature, offering insight and inspiration that transcends the technicalities of its subject.

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Released
1962
1 Jan
Length
Pages

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I have called this the 'Maxwell’s Equations' of computing, because it presents a very large part of what’s important about programming languages. - Alan Kay
— John McCarthy, LISP 1.5 Programmer's Manual

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