Book Advice
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Hey guys, I'm looking for recommendations on books which helped you develop your software engineering skills. I'm not interested in langauge specific books, what I want is something which teaches or gives advice on software engineering as a whole covering the whole software lifecycle if possible. So, does anyone have any ideas? Cheers James
James Spibey wrote: what I want is something which teaches or gives advice on software engineering as a whole covering the whole software lifecycle if possible. By the way, if you're looking to improve your skills in matters of process, I'd highly recommend you include the study of basic human nature, communications (of the people variety), politics (the kind that goes on in the break room) and even basic sales tactics (gasp!). It's imperative to improve your technical and project management skills, but if you don't know how to navigate the corporate environment or deal with people and their countless hidden agendas (agendii?), even the most sensible engineering processes will fall flat in the face of simple, petty human nature. Of course, you can always just ignore this aspect of the development business, but then you lose your right to complain about the fact that others in the company use you and your project for target practice. :-) Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
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James Spibey wrote: what I want is something which teaches or gives advice on software engineering as a whole covering the whole software lifecycle if possible. By the way, if you're looking to improve your skills in matters of process, I'd highly recommend you include the study of basic human nature, communications (of the people variety), politics (the kind that goes on in the break room) and even basic sales tactics (gasp!). It's imperative to improve your technical and project management skills, but if you don't know how to navigate the corporate environment or deal with people and their countless hidden agendas (agendii?), even the most sensible engineering processes will fall flat in the face of simple, petty human nature. Of course, you can always just ignore this aspect of the development business, but then you lose your right to complain about the fact that others in the company use you and your project for target practice. :-) Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
Thanks for your advice Christopher, it's quite useful. Some of the things you mentioned I am already well versed with having spent a considerable amount of time working as a consultant for British Airways and BAA. The year I spent down at Heathrow working for them taught me more about corporate backstabbing politics than any book could :) Cheers James
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Code Complete[^] is a must read. Writing Solid Code[^] was also an inspiration for me. If you want to improve your design skills then Design Patterns[^] should be the first to read. And recently I read a book about refactoring[^] and it was very educating.
Wenn ist das Nunstück git und Slotermeyer? Ja! Beierhund das oder die Flipperwaldt gersput!
Thanks for that, I'll take a look. Someone had already mentioned Code Complete to me in the past but I'd forgotten about it until now. Cheers James
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Christopher Duncan wrote: Got a clickety? Illustrated GOF Design Patterns in C# Part I: Creational[^] I then checked Google and there was plenty on this famous book by the GOF. Just wondering if anyone here had read it and what they thought :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: Just wondering if anyone here had read it and what they thought How about saying that it's the Bible for any serious OO Design? (Let the flaming begin ;P) IMHO, it's one of the basic books on OO that anybody should read and keep close for reference. It's not difficult to understand and will greatly improve your skills. Besides, the language (the names of the patterns, for example) used in this book have become a standard in communication for OO Developers. I can talk to my colleages about a Composite or a Strategy and they all know instantly what I mean. Regards. Francisco Viella Why am I still a bronze member?
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Thanks for your advice Christopher, it's quite useful. Some of the things you mentioned I am already well versed with having spent a considerable amount of time working as a consultant for British Airways and BAA. The year I spent down at Heathrow working for them taught me more about corporate backstabbing politics than any book could :) Cheers James
James Spibey wrote: The year I spent down at Heathrow working for them taught me more about corporate backstabbing politics than any book could :laugh: I can easily believe that! No matter where you live, people are the same, aren't they? I'm currently working for a company that writes air traffic control software for the FAA, and of course there's no lack of politics there, either. Fortunately, my boss rocks - he makes sure that I never see any of that crap so that I can concentrate on my job - writing code for him. I haven't always been so lucky! (Wanna see my Corporate Battle Scars?) :-D Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
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Hmmm, interesting stuff. Yet another book on my pile of stuff I don't quite have time to read. I wonder if there's a pattern forming somewhere... :-) Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
Christopher Duncan wrote: I wonder if there's a pattern forming somewhere... *groan* That is too terrible for words Christopher.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Paul Watson wrote: Just wondering if anyone here had read it and what they thought How about saying that it's the Bible for any serious OO Design? (Let the flaming begin ;P) IMHO, it's one of the basic books on OO that anybody should read and keep close for reference. It's not difficult to understand and will greatly improve your skills. Besides, the language (the names of the patterns, for example) used in this book have become a standard in communication for OO Developers. I can talk to my colleages about a Composite or a Strategy and they all know instantly what I mean. Regards. Francisco Viella Why am I still a bronze member?
Francisco Viella wrote: IMHO, it's one of the basic books on OO that anybody should read and keep close for reference. It's not difficult to understand and will greatly improve your skills. Thanks for the reference :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Christopher Duncan wrote: I wonder if there's a pattern forming somewhere... *groan* That is too terrible for words Christopher.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: *groan* That is too terrible for words Christopher. Hey, it's early, and I haven't had enough coffee yet. ;P Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
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James Spibey wrote: The year I spent down at Heathrow working for them taught me more about corporate backstabbing politics than any book could :laugh: I can easily believe that! No matter where you live, people are the same, aren't they? I'm currently working for a company that writes air traffic control software for the FAA, and of course there's no lack of politics there, either. Fortunately, my boss rocks - he makes sure that I never see any of that crap so that I can concentrate on my job - writing code for him. I haven't always been so lucky! (Wanna see my Corporate Battle Scars?) :-D Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
Christopher Duncan wrote: I'm currently working for a company that writes air traffic control software for the FAA, and of course there's no lack of politics there, either It is always frightening to hear that even in mission critical development processes such as air traffic control there are the same politics that are in, for instance, writing a content management system. I will bet there are plenty of things none of us would like to admit that our companies do to get products out of the door. But to have the same thing for an air traffic control product... lovely! :~ *Paul WALKS to London*
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Christopher Duncan wrote: I'm currently working for a company that writes air traffic control software for the FAA, and of course there's no lack of politics there, either It is always frightening to hear that even in mission critical development processes such as air traffic control there are the same politics that are in, for instance, writing a content management system. I will bet there are plenty of things none of us would like to admit that our companies do to get products out of the door. But to have the same thing for an air traffic control product... lovely! :~ *Paul WALKS to London*
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: I will bet there are plenty of things none of us would like to admit that our companies do to get products out of the door. But to have the same thing for an air traffic control product... lovely! Well, for what it's worth, I still fly. Actually, this shop is one of only two shops I've worked for in the past 12 years that actually has a firm, formalized testing procedure before releases go out to the FAA. Then, their tech center puts the software through their own testing process before the version is allowed into the field. If this software was released the way most stuff in our business is, I'd be walking, too! Paul Watson wrote: *Paul WALKS to London* If Paul walks to London, he's gonna be very, very damp. Unless, of course, he walks on water, and those rumors do circulate from time to time. The fact that Paul initiates them himself is another matter entirely... :-D Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
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Paul Watson wrote: I will bet there are plenty of things none of us would like to admit that our companies do to get products out of the door. But to have the same thing for an air traffic control product... lovely! Well, for what it's worth, I still fly. Actually, this shop is one of only two shops I've worked for in the past 12 years that actually has a firm, formalized testing procedure before releases go out to the FAA. Then, their tech center puts the software through their own testing process before the version is allowed into the field. If this software was released the way most stuff in our business is, I'd be walking, too! Paul Watson wrote: *Paul WALKS to London* If Paul walks to London, he's gonna be very, very damp. Unless, of course, he walks on water, and those rumors do circulate from time to time. The fact that Paul initiates them himself is another matter entirely... :-D Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
Christopher Duncan wrote: The fact that Paul initiates them himself is another matter entirely... It was bread, gooseberry jam and butter, not walking on water. And just for the record *Paul looks at the camera and starts to float* I never managed to materialise the butter in the end anyway. Only Jesus could walk on water and he always had a pair of yellow polka dot water wings handy in case something distracted him. :rolleyes:
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watson -
Christopher Duncan wrote: The fact that Paul initiates them himself is another matter entirely... It was bread, gooseberry jam and butter, not walking on water. And just for the record *Paul looks at the camera and starts to float* I never managed to materialise the butter in the end anyway. Only Jesus could walk on water and he always had a pair of yellow polka dot water wings handy in case something distracted him. :rolleyes:
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: Only Jesus could walk on water and he always had a pair of yellow polka dot water wings handy in case something distracted him. [Reaches for asbestos jumpsuit and edges cautiously away from Paul] Oh, I'm not going anywhere near that one! :-) Chistopher Duncan Author - The Career Programmer: Guerilla Tactics for an Imperfect World (Apress)
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James Spibey wrote: I'm not interested in langauge specific books, what I want is something which teaches or gives advice on software engineering as a whole covering the whole software lifecycle if possible. Sorry, I am not answering your question. But rather tagging along and asking: Has anyone read the Gang of Four book and was it good? I read the GOF article posted here on CP and it is interesting stuff.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonShort answer: very good, well spent cash. In my opinon a must read for all OO programmers.
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Hey guys, I'm looking for recommendations on books which helped you develop your software engineering skills. I'm not interested in langauge specific books, what I want is something which teaches or gives advice on software engineering as a whole covering the whole software lifecycle if possible. So, does anyone have any ideas? Cheers James
I like "Code Complete" and "Journey of a Software Professional" by Luke Hohhmann.
Build a man a fire, and he will be warm for a day
Light a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life! -
James Spibey wrote: I'm not interested in langauge specific books, what I want is something which teaches or gives advice on software engineering as a whole covering the whole software lifecycle if possible. Sorry, I am not answering your question. But rather tagging along and asking: Has anyone read the Gang of Four book and was it good? I read the GOF article posted here on CP and it is interesting stuff.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonAfter reading through the Gang of Four book[^] (it's actual title is Design Patterns), you'll be a different software architect and coder. You most definitely should read this book if you are going to be within 5 miles of any reasonably object-oriented programming language. -- Russell Morris "Have you gone mad Frink? Put down that science pole!"
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Christopher Duncan wrote: I'm currently working for a company that writes air traffic control software for the FAA, and of course there's no lack of politics there, either It is always frightening to hear that even in mission critical development processes such as air traffic control there are the same politics that are in, for instance, writing a content management system. I will bet there are plenty of things none of us would like to admit that our companies do to get products out of the door. But to have the same thing for an air traffic control product... lovely! :~ *Paul WALKS to London*
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul WatsonPaul Watson wrote: But to have the same thing for an air traffic control product... lovely! *Paul WALKS to London* I've heard that, for political reasons, the next generation will be written entirely in Java, except for the hard parts that require VB. Have you considered sailing? "When in danger, fear, or doubt, run in circles, scream and shout!" - Lorelei and Lapis Lazuli Long
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Christopher Duncan wrote: Got a clickety? Illustrated GOF Design Patterns in C# Part I: Creational[^] I then checked Google and there was plenty on this famous book by the GOF. Just wondering if anyone here had read it and what they thought :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRay Cassick wrote:
Well I am not female, not gay and I am not Paul Watsonthe GOF requires at least two readings the first time you read it (if you're new to design patterns), it will blow your mind the second time you read it, it will start to make sense after that it becomes a great reference i bought the cd version and keep a copy of the book on my machine: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201634988/qid=1036512765/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-5550037-6398521?v=glance[^] -John