X-Git-Url: http://lambda.jimpryor.net/git/gitweb.cgi?p=lambda.git;a=blobdiff_plain;f=how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn;h=0cb4f786575eeaec06416c07f5bdacbc6838bcb8;hp=090c14c5cc39e5b146a433852016a8de8d5c18ed;hb=911d868126d0b91047b362cb909cdfeb503cd16b;hpb=86f5ce33301aa93677f8e191235368eb94015f5e diff --git a/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn b/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn index 090c14c5..0cb4f786 100644 --- a/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn +++ b/how_to_get_the_programming_languages_running_on_your_computer.mdwn @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ you'll be in one of two subgroups: Then you'll need pre-packaged (and usually pretty GUI) installers for everything. These are great when they're available and kept up-to-date; however those conditions aren't always met. - + If you're using **Windows**, you'll be in one of two subgroups: @@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ easier and more straightforward for others. ## Getting Scheme ## **Scheme** is one of two major dialects of *Lisp*, which is a large family of -programming languages. The other dialect is called "CommonLisp." Scheme is the +programming languages. The other dialect is called "Common Lisp." Scheme is the more clean and minimalistic dialect, and is what's mostly used in academic circles. @@ -82,11 +82,17 @@ another Scheme implementation, though, there's no compelling reason to switch.) Since the name change is so recent, you're likely to run across both sets of names. -PLT Scheme had three salient components: the command-line version "mzscheme", a -GUI extension "MrEd", and a teaching-friendly editor/front-end "DrScheme". In -Racket these have been renamed "racket", "gracket", and "DrRacket", +PLT/Racket stands to Scheme in something like the relation Firefox stands to HTML. It's one program among others for working with the language; and many of those programs (or web browsers) permit different extensions, have small variations, and so on. + +PLT Scheme had several components. The two most visible components for us +were the command-line interpreter "mzscheme" and a teaching-friendly editor/front-end "DrScheme". In +Racket these have been renamed "racket" and "DrRacket", respectively. +* In your web browser: + + There is a (slow, bare-bones) version of Scheme available for online use at . + * **To install in Windows** @@ -108,6 +114,14 @@ respectively. If you want the GUI components, I think you'll need to use the "Mac/without MacPorts" installation options above. + I recommend also typing: + + sudo port install rlwrap + + then if you ever use the command-line program `mzscheme` (or `racket`), you should start it by typing `rlwrap mzscheme`. This gives + you a nice history of the commands you've already typed, which you can scroll up and down in with your + keyboard arrows. + * **To install on Linux** Use your packaging system, for example, open a Terminal and @@ -116,18 +130,26 @@ respectively. sudo apt-get install plt-scheme It's very likely that your packaging system has some version of - PLT Scheme available, so look for it. However, if you can't find it you + PLT Scheme (or Racket) available, so look for it. However, if you can't find it you can also install a pre-packaged binary from the Racket website at . Choose the option for your version of Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, and two - varieties of Fedora are available) + varieties of Fedora are available). + + As above, I recommend you also type: + + sudo apt-get rlwrap + + then if you ever use the command-line program `mzscheme` (or `racket`), you should start it by typing `rlwrap mzscheme`. This gives + you a nice history of the commands you've already typed, which you can scroll up and down in with your + keyboard arrows. ## Getting OCaml ## **Caml** is one of two major dialects of *ML*, which is another large family of programming languages. The other dialect is called "SML" and has several -implementations. But Caml has only one active implementation, OCaml, developed -by the INRIA academic group in France. +implementations. But Caml has only one active implementation, OCaml or +Objective Caml, developed by the INRIA academic group in France. It's helpful if in addition to OCaml you also install the Findlib add-on. This will make it easier to install additional add-ons further down the road. @@ -173,7 +195,7 @@ However, if you're not able to get that working, don't worry about it much. This will build an installer package which you should be able to double-click and install. - + * **To install on Mac with MacPorts** You can install the previous version of OCaml (3.11.2, @@ -182,6 +204,13 @@ However, if you're not able to get that working, don't worry about it much. sudo port install ocaml caml-findlib + As with Scheme, it's helpful to also have rlwrap installed, and to start OCaml as `rlwrap ocaml`. This gives + you a nice history of the commands you've already typed, which you can scroll up and down in with your + keyboard arrows. + + +* [More details about installing OCaml on Macs, if needed](http://cocan.org/getting_started_with_ocaml_on_mac_os_x) + * **To install on Linux** Use your packaging system, for example, open a Terminal and @@ -205,3 +234,7 @@ However, if you're not able to get that working, don't worry about it much. Here are the INSTALL notes: . + As with Scheme, it's helpful to also have rlwrap installed, and to start OCaml as `rlwrap ocaml`. This gives + you a nice history of the commands you've already typed, which you can scroll up and down in with your + keyboard arrows. +