Customer Reviews

Starting Forth (Prentice-Hall Software Series)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Somebody REPRINT THIS BOOK!

"Starting Forth" is the only Forth book I own. After reading it, I was able to implement a Forth runtime system, compiler, and interpreter, from scratch, in 8086 assembly - the results can be found at home.earthlink.net/~jknapka/jkf.html . I credit this mainly to Leo Brodie's skill as an expository writer. The book is a gem; if someone were to reprint it, I for one would buy several copies, just in case.

The reason no one will reprint "Starting Forth" is that Forth is not sufficiently trendy. If we rename the language "JavaForth", we'll be drowning in reprints...

Sigh.

This book is a very clear introduction to programming and the stack. The cartoons are very entertaining and descriptive, and the book would make light reading even for beginning programmers. Those who program, but not yet in Forth, will also be happy with the quick introduction.

Why on earth is this fabulous book out of print?

A wonderful book. I bought mine in 1980, and a week later I had an old Northstar Z-80 computer running real-time behavioral experiments in FORTH at (so it seemed) blinding speed.

We need this book!

I bought my own used copy of this book, but it is available in its entirety online, so it is unlikely to ever be reprinted.

"Starting Forth" is perhaps one of the best books on computer programming, ever. Leo Brodie blends just enough humor, theory, and practical examples to really teach the reader about the advantages of the Forth languange and philosophy of programming. The reader will start to understand "complex" topics like compiler design and virtual machines in no time at all. The book contains exercises with solutions, and "2 1/2" case study applications, going from high-level requirements to working, commented code. While out of print, it is well worth finding this book if you are learning Forth.

This book is one of the best programming language books I've read, along with "Oh! Pascal!" by Cooper and Clancy. It's use of humor and simple, straightforward examples, grab your attention right away and keep it through the entire book. It's hard to believe a programming book can be hard to put down, but this one was.

It also explains complex concepts in simple, elegant ways, just like good programs should be written.

I would recommend it to anyone learning FORTH, and I would recommend sections of it for people trying to understand specific concepts in any language. For example, the explanation of stacks was excellent!

I'm saddened to find that this wonderful introduction to Forth (and computer programming in general) is out of print. I was hoping to restock my supply of a handy gift-book for anyone interested in a broader perspective on computer science.

Superb book for IT professionals formation. Focus on what you need to do and provides (almost) unlimited freedom on how you want to tackle with a project of any size or depth. It should be a University textbook around the world for its elegant, clear and simple approach towards very abstract concepts.

Even if you never plan to write a line of Forth, you should read this book.

I would like to learn forth recently. I was wondering whether someone is considering to reprint this book since so many people recommends this book.