Re: The Art of Prolog -- 1986 vs. 1994

Greg Buchholz wrote:
> I'm thinking of buying a first edition version of "The Art of
> Prolog", since I can get it for about one-tenth the price. The blurb
> on the MIT website (
> http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=8327 )
> mentions than in the second version...
> ...As a beginner, will this throw me off? Has Prolog changed much in
> the past 20 years? ... Thoughts?

I have referred to both and, other than slight rearrangement of topics
(e.g., difference lists section is now earlier) there seems to be
little difference. I have not compared them side-to-side in detail.

Since by 1994 few Prologs implemented standard Prolog and since the
prior de facto standard "Clocksin & Mellish" ~= PDP-10 Prolog is still
available in most Prologs by setting a flag or including a module, then
there may be little lost by reading the old edition.

Minor grousing about the second edition:

- the second edition's binding seems weak; the first edition is
superior in this regard.

- the first edition looks far better than the second! The first
edition has a beautiful japanese print that wraps around the book
continuously from back to binding to front. In the second edition the
print is cut in two by an intrusive (and extremely ugly) black, red and
white binding.

- the second edition is larger and clumsier to handle. The first
edition is a surprisingly good fit in the hands and inviting to hold
and read; in contrast the second edition is unwieldy and constantly
invites you to put it down. This to the degree that I have considered
cutting the pages out the binding, punching holes in them and placing
them into a 3-ring binder.

.

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