Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Video Lectures (1986)

These 1986 lectures are the definitive SICP experience — the Hal and Gerry show at its peak. The presentation quality holds up remarkably well, and seeing the metacircular evaluator built live is something no textbook can fully capture. For those who find the book dense, these lectures provide the pacing and intuition that make the abstractions click.

Re: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Video Lectures (1986)

#5

Post by neilv » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 2:45 AM UTC

If you want to work through SICP, you can use MIT Scheme, but another option is to use Racket or DrRacket, with this add-on package: https://docs.racket-lang.org/sicp-manual/

Re: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Video Lectures (1986)

#6

Post by dirteater_ » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 4:35 AM UTC

I tried SICP straight from the book once, but I think the lectures are much better and the book acts as a supplemental reference.

Re: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Video Lectures (1986)

#7

Post by aligutierrez » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 4:51 AM UTC

interesting approach to SICP.

Re: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Video Lectures (1986)

#8

Post by bloppe » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 4:58 AM UTC

Cannot recommend these enough. Watch the first one and you'll be hooked

Re: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Video Lectures (1986)

#9

Post by barrenko » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 5:19 AM UTC

dirteater_ wrote: post #6

I tried SICP straight from the book once, but I think the lectures are much better and the book acts as a supplemental reference.

Thank you! Will try it like this.

Re: Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs Video Lectures (1986)

#10

Post by mbrezu » Wed, Jul 08, 2026, 5:25 AM UTC

These sound a little better than I remember. I wonder if the sound was cleaned up?