Where can I learn APL?

Question

I want to learn APL (more specifically Dyalog APL), but I can't seem to find any good sources to learn from.

The only source I could find was Dyalog's Documentation Downloads, but other than that, can anyone recommend a good source?

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to learn APL? What use do you have for it? I have never found a good reason to use it other than that you can create really short (although cryptic) code. — Zifre, May 09 '09 at 19:39
Dyalog Programming Contest 2009: http://www.dyalog.com/contest2009/ — Ankit, May 09 '09 at 20:38

score 8 · Accepted Answer · answered May 09 '09 at 19:28

8

I found a scan of APL: An Interactive Approach.

answered May 09 '09 at 19:28

Ankit

1,861
18
18

This is a great, if dated, book to learn from. – JonnyBoats May 09 '09 at 19:31
Definitely dated, but the best source that I have found so far. – Ankit May 09 '09 at 20:37
5

Link doesn't seem to work anymore. Anyone have an updated link? – Peter Ajtai May 15 '12 at 23:40
Thankfully, there are used copies sold all over the internet for a few $. – Tobia Mar 17 '13 at 20:35
There are used copies of this on Amazon for $0.50 (though it's $4+ with shipping/tax) – userABC123 Jan 01 '16 at 09:43

score 4 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 08 '09 at 18:15

Look for the tutorial on http://aplwiki.com

It offers a taster. With the Open Source APL NARS2000 you do not have to spend a buck on an APL interpreter. For getting seriously into APL, go for APLX or Dyalog.

Watch out! You will get addicted quite soon - or not.

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered May 09 '09 at 20:36

Python script to download all the scans:

def download(url, filename):
     import urllib
     webfile = urllib.urlopen(url)
     file = open(filename, 'w')
     file.write(webfile.read())
     webfile.close()
     file.close()

for i in xrange(1, 390):
     download('http://scanserver.ulib.org/is/scanserver/book24/tiff/apli%.4d.tif?rs=1&br=0.0&rt=0' % i, 'apl%.4d.tif' % i)

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Nov 18 '09 at 11:02

2

The K&R book for APL is probably "An Interactive Approach" by Gilman and Rose but there are lots of other books, tutorials, exercises, puzzles, processors and links listed on the APL Wiki

answered Nov 18 '09 at 11:02

psd

81
1
3

Where can I learn APL?

4 Answers4