Subj : Re: Question about minimal requirements in programming To : comp.programming From : Jonathan Bartlett Date : Tue Jul 05 2005 04:36 pm > Does everybody here believe you must know Knuth inside and out in order to > write effective business applications? When you don't know the theory, you lack options. This doesn't necessarily mean you will write bad applications, but it does mean that there are many good approaches that you simply are not aware of. It also may mean that there are times when the only good ways you are not aware of. Likewise, you also may not understand all of the reasons for various errors. As one who knows more "under-the-hood" than many people I've programmed with, I've found that this knowledge helps me troubleshoot in minutes what takes some others hours or days. As for Knuth, while I am a huuuuuge fan of Knuth, for business applications I would get to know HTDP and SICP inside and out first. How to Design Programs: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0262062186&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=freeeducation-20&creative=9325 Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0262011530&link_code=as2&camp=1789&tag=freeeducation-20&creative=9325 Jon ---- Learn to program using Linux assembly language http://www.cafeshops.com/bartlettpublish.8640017 .