Where does a real beginner begin? Scheme+SICP? Real World Haskell?

I'm not much of a programmer. I've only used PHP and Ruby for the last 10 years. But I've heard so many wonderful things about Haskell, I'd like to really spend the time to learn it. No particular purpose, except to broaden my mind and get to know (what I hear is) a completely different way of thinking about programming. But what's the best way to start from scratch? Should I start with "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" book and Scheme as my intro? Then afterwards, get into the Real World Haskell book? Or just start with Haskell directly? Any advice appreciated.

Hi Greg,
When I first wanted to learn Haskell (about 18 months ago) I just went
out and bought "Real World Haskell". I didn't have any functional
programming background. I read the first 13 chapters or so, did the
exercises, and all was pretty good.
Then when I got to chapter 13 (Monads) it started to get more
difficult for me. I kept with it though, asked questions on this list
(people are EXTREMELY nice and helpful here), and things got better.
Coming from an imperative background (C++, Perl, Java), I found (and
still do find) Haskell hard. But it's really worth it in the end. It
will open up a whole new way of thinking for you.
Good luck,
Patrick
On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 10:57 AM, Greg Morell
I'm not much of a programmer. I've only used PHP and Ruby for the last 10 years. But I've heard so many wonderful things about Haskell, I'd like to really spend the time to learn it.
No particular purpose, except to broaden my mind and get to know (what I hear is) a completely different way of thinking about programming.
But what's the best way to start from scratch?
Should I start with "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" book and Scheme as my intro? Then afterwards, get into the Real World Haskell book?
Or just start with Haskell directly?
Any advice appreciated.
_______________________________________________ Beginners mailing list Beginners@haskell.org http://www.haskell.org/mailman/listinfo/beginners
-- ===================== Patrick LeBoutillier Rosemère, Québec, Canada

If you purpose is only learning Haskell, then you can pick up either
of Real World Haskell or Programming in Haskell (there are also video
lectures available covering this book).
But SICP is something that as a programmer you have to go over once in
a lifetime.
Regards,
Amiruddin Nagri,
Bangalore, 560008, KA
India
Y! IM : amir_nagri@yahoo.com
GTalk : amir.nagri@gmail.com
On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 8:27 PM, Greg Morell
I'm not much of a programmer. I've only used PHP and Ruby for the last 10 years. But I've heard so many wonderful things about Haskell, I'd like to really spend the time to learn it.
No particular purpose, except to broaden my mind and get to know (what I hear is) a completely different way of thinking about programming.
But what's the best way to start from scratch?
Should I start with "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" book and Scheme as my intro? Then afterwards, get into the Real World Haskell book?
Or just start with Haskell directly?
Any advice appreciated.
_______________________________________________ Beginners mailing list Beginners@haskell.org http://www.haskell.org/mailman/listinfo/beginners

Amiruddin Nagri
If you purpose is only learning Haskell, then you can pick up either of Real World Haskell or Programming in Haskell (there are also video lectures available covering this book).
But SICP is something that as a programmer you have to go over once in a lifetime.
Another book that you may be interested in reading after either of the introductory Haskell books mentioned above is _The Haskell School of Expression_ ("SOE") (see http://www.haskell.org/soe/), by Paul Hudak. The book does assume some understanding of trigonometry, but can be very interesting to read. -- Benjamin L. Russell
Regards, Amiruddin Nagri, Bangalore, 560008, KA India
Y! IM : amir_nagri@yahoo.com GTalk : amir.nagri@gmail.com
On Fri, Jun 18, 2010 at 8:27 PM, Greg Morell
wrote: I'm not much of a programmer. I've only used PHP and Ruby for the last 10 years. But I've heard so many wonderful things about Haskell, I'd like to really spend the time to learn it.
No particular purpose, except to broaden my mind and get to know (what I hear is) a completely different way of thinking about programming.
But what's the best way to start from scratch?
Should I start with "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" book and Scheme as my intro? Then afterwards, get into the Real World Haskell book?
Or just start with Haskell directly?
Any advice appreciated.
_______________________________________________ Beginners mailing list Beginners@haskell.org http://www.haskell.org/mailman/listinfo/beginners
-- Benjamin L. Russell / DekuDekuplex at Yahoo dot com http://dekudekuplex.wordpress.com/ Translator/Interpreter / Mobile: +011 81 80-3603-6725 "Furuike ya, kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto." -- Matsuo Basho^

Excerpts from Greg Morell's message of Fri Jun 18 16:57:50 +0200 2010:
Or just start with Haskell directly?
You can start with Haskell directly. If you have trouble join the irc chat or write to this list. People do help. Also the Haskell wiki on haskell.org provides many information (-> link called Learning) Marc Weber
participants (5)
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Amiruddin Nagri
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DekuDekuplex@Yahoo.com
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Greg Morell
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Marc Weber
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Patrick LeBoutillier