Book Review: Seven Languages in Seven Weeks: A Pragmatic Guide to Learning Programming Languages

Seven Languages in Seven Weeks: A Pragmatic Guide to Learning Programming Languages by Bruce A. Tate: Pragmatic Bookshelf: ISBN- 13: 978-1934356593

Why I read this book! Because book’s title is interesting. Book covers language spanning from object orientated, prototype, and functional and since ancient time of modern programming. Certainly book does not teach you 7 languages but gives you flavor of each. After tasting you can decide which one is suitable for your dinner.

Very nicely book cover seven languages though there will be conflicting views on selection of languages. Book introduces philosophies of these languages ( Prolog, Io, Ruby, Scala, Haskell, Erlang, and Clojure), basic syntax and main constructs. Book very carefully avoids unnecessary details like how to install, IDE, etc which can be found online very easily.

The last chapter “Wrap-up” serves you cocktail with distinct hint for each.

Certainly I am looking for more of these type of books covering various components of software – Operating system, IDE, etc.


Seven Languages in Seven Weeks will certainly be on my bookshelf for quick reference.


Disclaimer: I did not get paid to review this book, and I do not stand to gain anything if you buy the book. I have no relationship with the publisher or the author.

Further reading: One can get more information about book and related topics from:

One can get more information about book and related topics from:

1. Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Languages-Weeks-Programming-Programmers/dp/193435659X
2. Review: http://slightlymore.co.uk/7-languages-in-7-weeks/
3. Dr Dobb Review: http://drdobbs.com/blogs/tools/228700160
4. One more review: http://iprug.org/book-review-seven-languages-in-seven-weeks
5. The bulky review: http://javaheap.wordpress.com/2011/03/13/review-7-languages-in-7-weeks
6. One more: http://blog.founddrama.net/2011/05/on-seven-languages-in-seven-weeks/
7. The second last: http://fiveholiday55.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-review-of-seven-languages-seven.html
8. The last review: http://www.nofluffjuststuff.com/blog/matt_stine/2010/05/first_thoughts_on_seven_languages_in_seven_weeks_