If you were looking to recommend to somebody an all-around programming book to teach somebody best practice, and general theory of programming, what would you suggest?
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qwert231
M Kenyon
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On a hobbyist level? I got lots of good info from this one when I first started out. It might be a bit out-of-date now, but it explains the basics like variables, methods, loops, etc. It's all in BASIC if I recall correctly.
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qwert231
M Kenyon
spivonious said:
On a hobbyist level? I got lots of good info from this one when I first started out. It might be a bit out-of-date now, but it explains the basics like variables, methods, loops, etc. It's all in BASIC if I recall correctly.
I was thinking something a little deeper. Beyond just basics... more like 'Code Complete'. Would you folks still recommend that book?
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Dr Herbie
Horses for courses
qwert231 said:spivonious said:*snip*I was thinking something a little deeper. Beyond just basics... more like 'Code Complete'. Would you folks still recommend that book?
+10 for Code Complete.
I'm fairly sure it's up to 2nd Edition now. It's one of those books that makes you think that every programmer should have a copy.
Herbie
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Pace
What do you see?
Dr Herbie said:qwert231 said:*snip*+10 for Code Complete.
I'm fairly sure it's up to 2nd Edition now. It's one of those books that makes you think that every programmer should have a copy.
Herbie
If you only ever read one book it should be Steve McConnells.
It changed my career. My only regret was not reading it years ago...
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Pace said:Dr Herbie said:*snip*
If you only ever read one book it should be Steve McConnells.
It changed my career. My only regret was not reading it years ago...
edit: Thanks, Pace.
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PaoloM
Hypermediocrity
Dr Herbie said:qwert231 said:*snip*+10 for Code Complete.
I'm fairly sure it's up to 2nd Edition now. It's one of those books that makes you think that every programmer should have a copy.
Herbie
I really liked Foundations of Programming. And it's free
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Bas
It finds lightbulbs.
If I were allowed to only ever buy a single programming book, it'd be Code Complete 2nd Edition. It's really the best programming book I've ever read.
However, I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for. For best practice stuff, it's amazing, but 'general theory of programming' sounds like you're looking more into something that explains the principles of iteration, selection, variables, etc. What exactly are you looking for?
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qwert231
M Kenyon
Bas said:
If I were allowed to only ever buy a single programming book, it'd be Code Complete 2nd Edition. It's really the best programming book I've ever read.
However, I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for. For best practice stuff, it's amazing, but 'general theory of programming' sounds like you're looking more into something that explains the principles of iteration, selection, variables, etc. What exactly are you looking for?
Best Practice would be my target.
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Call this a troll, but I would go with the C# express tutorials/MSDN. It is free (YAY) and you'll have fun doing them. A book is out-of-date the second they print it and unless you need it offline (which is pointless for a programming book) then meh.
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leeappdalecom
.nettter
ManipUni said:Call this a troll, but I would go with the C# express tutorials/MSDN. It is free (YAY) and you'll have fun doing them. A book is out-of-date the second they print it and unless you need it offline (which is pointless for a programming book) then meh.
How is a programming book pointless offline, you dont need to be at a computer to read Code Complete in fact I've read it twice once in book form and once on my Kindle. Neither times was I sitting at my PC.
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Bass
I need better writers.
Beautiful Code
Although it's not a book for the faint of heart.
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Code-Leading-Programmers-Practice/dp/0596510047
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vesuvius
Count Orlock
I hope this "someone" realises that the best code is that which others find easy to grasp and extend, so my first choice would be a proper dictionary.
Once they understand that English is at the core of whaever programming langauge they are learning, they can then pick up on what to do and what not to.
I fear most titles mentioned are of no particular use for a novice, so if they are starting out, they will inevitably write deplorable and despicable code, that much is by-the-bye.
If thery are using .NET though, I would recommend the Framework Design Guidelines (which is a bargain in the US - 2nd edition by the way)
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CannotResolveSymbol
Microsoft: Who do you want to execute today?
ManipUni said:Call this a troll, but I would go with the C# express tutorials/MSDN. It is free (YAY) and you'll have fun doing them. A book is out-of-date the second they print it and unless you need it offline (which is pointless for a programming book) then meh.
A book like Code Complete isn't going to be out of date the moment they print it-- Code Complete is all about fundamental concepts and best practices. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Now, if people were requesting technology-specific books (like books on WPF or books on the .NET languages specifically) I would consider pointing them to online resources rather than printed books. That material does go out of date pretty quickly.
To make my recommendation: I'm going to have to second Code Complete, assuming that the person who will be reading the book has at least a basic grasp of programming concepts.
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vesuvius
Count Orlock
CannotResolveSymbol said:ManipUni said:*snip*
A book like Code Complete isn't going to be out of date the moment they print it-- Code Complete is all about fundamental concepts and best practices. They aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Now, if people were requesting technology-specific books (like books on WPF or books on the .NET languages specifically) I would consider pointing them to online resources rather than printed books. That material does go out of date pretty quickly.
To make my recommendation: I'm going to have to second Code Complete, assuming that the person who will be reading the book has at least a basic grasp of programming concepts.
You, dear Sir, have an alarming way of being right, a little too often!
I concur insomuch as furnishing one with the realisation that as they code they, need to pay attention to certain literature. I picked up a copy of Pattern Oriented Software Architecture in a second hand bookshop for a fiver a month or so ago, and most of the book is still relevant today (it was written in 2000).
WPF does have a lot of design patterns baked into it, so users will learn the design patterns by proxy. Whether is is the command design pattern, MVVM, event aggregators, making their own IComponents and so on, it will make it easier to understand the books aforementioned.
The best programmers, are the ones that have written a lot of code,but try not to, where practicable.
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Pace
What do you see?
Bass said:
Beautiful Code
Although it's not a book for the faint of heart.
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Code-Leading-Programmers-Practice/dp/0596510047
What an awesome book, though I couldn't finish it. Its something im going to re-read in a few years time. I wish they would do something about those examples
Pragmatic Programmer is good though i'm not finished with it yet.
Lastly I think all project / software managers should be forced to read Mythical Man Month
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Bas said:
If I were allowed to only ever buy a single programming book, it'd be Code Complete 2nd Edition. It's really the best programming book I've ever read.
However, I'm not sure if it's what you're looking for. For best practice stuff, it's amazing, but 'general theory of programming' sounds like you're looking more into something that explains the principles of iteration, selection, variables, etc. What exactly are you looking for?
Seconded, Code Complete is mandatory reading.
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