The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):
Wizard Book
n.
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (Hal Abelson, Jerry
Sussman and Julie Sussman; MIT Press, 1984, 1996; ISBN 0-262-01153-0), an
excellent computer science text used in introductory courses at MIT. So
called because of the wizard on the jacket. One of the bibles of the LISP
/Scheme world. Also, less commonly, known as the Purple Book. Now
available on the http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):
Wizard Book
Hal Abelson, Gerald Sussman and Julie
Sussman's "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs"
(MIT Press, 1984; ISBN 0-262-01077-1), an excellent computer
science text used in introductory courses at MIT. So called
because of the wizard on the jacket. One of the bibles of
the LISP/Scheme world. Also, less commonly, known as the
Purple Book.
[Jargon File]
(1995-01-10)