Learn Programming with Smalltalk
A comprehensive, beginner-friendly introduction to programming
using modern open-source Smalltalk environments
📚 Start Your Journey
This book takes you from complete beginner to confident programmer using Smalltalk—one of the most elegant and influential programming languages ever created.
Why This Book?
- Zero experience required – If you can use a computer, you can learn from this book
- Comprehensive coverage – 40 chapters taking you from basics to advanced topics
- Hands-on projects – Build real applications including a todo list manager, text adventure game, and web server
- Modern tools – Learn Pharo, Squeak, and Glamorous Toolkit
- Free and open-source – Everything you need is freely available
What Makes Smalltalk Special?
Everything is an Object
Even numbers, booleans, and control structures are objects you can interact with.
Live Programming
Modify your programs while they're running and see changes instantly.
Elegant Simplicity
The entire language syntax fits on a postcard, yet it's incredibly powerful.
Rich Tools
Debuggers and inspectors that let you explore your running program.
Book Structure
- Part I-III: Programming fundamentals, objects, and control flow
- Part IV: Creating your own classes and objects
- Part V: The image system (Smalltalk's unique feature)
- Part VI: Development tools and debugging
- Part VII: Intermediate concepts (testing, patterns, organization)
- Part VIII: Exploring Pharo, Squeak, and Glamorous Toolkit
- Part IX: Three complete projects to build
- Part X: Design patterns, performance, and next steps
What You'll Learn
- Programming fundamentals
- Object-oriented programming
- Classes and inheritance
- Blocks and closures
- Collections and iteration
- Testing and TDD
- Debugging techniques
- Design patterns
- Web development basics
- File I/O and streams
- Graphics and UI
- Performance optimization
Who This Book Is For
- Complete beginners – No programming experience required
- Experienced programmers – Curious about Smalltalk's unique approach
- Educators – Looking for an excellent teaching language
- Anyone – Who wants to understand object-oriented programming at its purest
💡 About Smalltalk's Legacy
Smalltalk gave birth to many concepts you may have heard of: object-oriented programming, the Model-View-Controller pattern, test-driven development, and even the graphical user interface (GUI) itself. Learning Smalltalk means learning from the source.
Quick Links
Additional Resources
- Appendix B: Keyboard Shortcuts Reference
- Appendix C: Useful Code Snippets
- Appendix D: Glossary
- Appendix E: Further Reading
- Technical Review Report
✅ Ready to Begin?
Programming is one of the most creative, powerful, and rewarding skills you can learn. With Smalltalk, you'll learn it in an environment designed from the ground up for exploration, experimentation, and joy.
Let's Start Your Journey! →40 Chapters • 5 Appendices • 200,000+ Words • 200+ Code Examples
This book is free, open-source, and available under the MIT License.
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Version 1.0.1 • Last updated: October 2025