Alan Kay's answer to ‘what are some forgotten books programmers should read?’ (quora.com)

Article summary

The article discusses Alan Kay's recommendations for forgotten books that programmers should read. Although the article's content is not available, the comments reveal that the books include Lisp 1.5 Programmer's Manual, The Mythical Man-Month, and Joe Armstrong's PhD thesis. These books are considered timeless classics in the field of computer science. The discussion focuses on the importance of reading and understanding the thinking of influential figures in the field.

Main themes

• influential books
• computer science classics
• programming fundamentals
• career development
• industry trends

What commenters say

• Reading classic books in computer science is essential for understanding the thinking of influential figures in the field. Some commenters believe that the industry's rapid pace makes it difficult to keep up with new technologies and trends. Others argue that being a senior developer is a fulfilling and well-paid career goal, and that progression beyond this title is not necessary. However, some commenters feel pressure to constantly progress in their careers, measured by title and compensation. The importance of debugging and understanding code is highlighted, with some arguing that certain programming languages and techniques make this easier. Some commenters express concern about the impact of ageism on career prospects for older developers. The value of breadth versus depth of knowledge in computer science is also debated, with some arguing that too much breadth can stifle mastery of specific areas.