racket/collects/scribblings/main/getting-started.scrbl
2012-05-03 10:24:05 -04:00

67 lines
2.5 KiB
Racket

#lang scribble/doc
@(require scribble/manual)
@title{Getting Started with Racket}
To get started with Racket,
@link["http://www.racket-lang.org/download/"]{download it} from the webpage and
install it. If you are a beginner or would like to use a graphical environment
to run programs, run the @tt{DrRacket} executable. Otherwise, the @tt{racket}
executable will run a command-line Read-Eval-Print-Loop
(@tech[#:doc '(lib "scribblings/guide/guide.scrbl")]{REPL}).
On Windows, you can start DrRacket from the @onscreen{Racket} entry in the
Start menu, in Windows Vista or newer you can just type @tt{DrRacket}. You can
also run it from its folder, which you can find in @onscreen{Program Files}
@onscreen{Racket} @onscreen{DrRacket}.
On Mac OS, double click on the @tt{DrRacket} icon. It may be in your
Applications folder, or in the @tt{.dmg} that you downloaded.
On Linux or Unix, the @tt{drracket} binary can be run directly from the
command-line if it is in your path. This should be the case if you chose a
Unix-style distribution when installing. Otherwise, navigate to the directory
where the Racket distribution is installed. The @tt{drracket} binary will be
in the @tt{bin} subdirectory.
If you are new to programming or if you have the patience to work
through a textbook:
@itemize[
@item{@italic{@link["http://htdp.org/"]{How to Design Programs}}
is the best place to start. Whenever the book says ``Scheme,''
you can read it as ``Racket.''}
@item{@other-manual['(lib "web-server/scribblings/tutorial/continue.scrbl")]
introduces you to modules and building web applications.}
@item{@other-manual['(lib "scribblings/guide/guide.scrbl")] describes
the rest of the Racket language, which is much bigger than
the learning-oriented languages of the textbook. Since you
learned functional programming from the textbook, you'll be
able to skim chapters 1 and 2 of the Guide.}
]
If you're already a programmer and you're in more of a hurry:
@itemize[
@item{@other-manual['(lib "scribblings/quick/quick.scrbl")] gives you
a taste of Racket.}
@item{@other-manual['(lib "scribblings/more/more.scrbl")] dives much
deeper and much faster. If it's too much, just skip to the
Guide.}
@item{@other-manual['(lib "scribblings/guide/guide.scrbl")] starts
with a tutorial on Racket basics, and then it describes the rest
of the Racket language.}
]
Of course, you should feel free to mix and match the above two tracks,
since there is information in each that is not in the other.