Alvin's "Scala Book" books are missing from our books page

[SethTisue]

https://docs.scala-lang.org/books.html should link to https://docs.scala-lang.org/overviews/scala-book/introduction.html and https://docs.scala-lang.org/scala3/book/introduction.html

[julienrf]

Maybe the name is wrong but the “Scala Book” is not a printed book, so I am not sure it is relevant to add it to this page?

[SethTisue]

We already list Creative Scala, which is also a free online book. (We could remove it again, of course, if a printed-book policy were agreed on.)

Some of us like printed books, but many people don't care, actually prefer ebooks, and don't see a big distinction between something that is available on paper and something that isn't.

What's the argument for remaining silent about the existence of Alvin's books, what's the benefit?

Alvin's books aren't available as PDFs, only as separate HTML pages, to my knowledge. But I think they could and should be available as PDFs.

I do see at https://docs.scala-lang.org/scala3/book/introduction.html that it says "We are still in the process of writing the book." @alvinj is that still the case? I had thought it was considered done at this point, but perhaps I misunderstood.

[julienrf]

What's the argument for remaining silent about the existence of Alvin's books, what's the benefit?

I thought that page was more for printed books, but you made me realize that Creative Scala is not a printed book either. So, that argument vanishes, I guess. I’m fine with adding a link to it.

[SethTisue]

Maybe we should have printed books at the top in their own section, and then follow them with a separate free-online-books section.

I do see value in the editorial process that printed books go through, and I also see value in authors being compensated for their work.

[alvinj]

I do see at https://docs.scala-lang.org/scala3/book/introduction.html that it says "We are still in the process of writing the book." @alvinj is that still the case?

If I had some free time, there are things I would like to improve. But I haven’t heard/seen any major complaints, so maybe it’s good enough as is? In that case that sentence could be changed to something like, “If you see a place where the documentation can be improved, please submit a PR...”

[alvinj]

More than you might want to know, but ... in regards to PDFs and books in general, there can be some wonkiness. For instance:

• Functional Programming, Simplified is available as a paid PDF at that link, and a printed and Mobi book on Amazon, and it sells great, but I didn’t have anyone review it.
• Due to some production and process problems, the first Scala Cookbook wasn’t edited thoroughly, but O’Reilly’s process is much better now than it was then.
• The Scala Book (for Scala 2) is available as a free PDF, Mobi, ePub. That should probably be on scala-lang.org instead of my website.
• The Scala Cookbook, 2nd Edition is available as a paid PDF, ePub, in addition to the Mobi and print versions. (This book was well reviewed, IMHO.)

Whenever I have that free time :) I can generate electronic versions of the Scala 3 Book. If you know any good designers, it just needs a good cover. I can also create it as a print book and donate the proceeds to EPFL, if you want. Or if you all create an EPFL account with Amazon KDP (or another indie publishing company), you can do that without my involvement.

If it helps, I can also see if O’Reilly would be willing to give away the 1st Edition of the Scala Cookbook now that the 2nd Edition has been out for a while.