The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master
You’ll find The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master on many software developers’ must-read books lists. After reading it from cover to cover, I’ve added it to my essential reading list as well.
It’s not a book for beginners, though. The subtitle of the book, “From Journeyman to Master” sums it up. The Pragmatic Programmer describes the skills, attributes, and attitudes that a mid-level programmer needs to become a professional developer.
Its purpose is to distill the wisdom gathered from a career in programming into about 70 tips. Each of these tips is explained and illustrated with examples that most programmers will find familiar.
The tips are not necessarily about writing code. The authors, Andrew Hunt and David Thomas, take a holistic approach to the craft of programming. They cover topics like communicating effectively, planning and scheduling, and building teams.
I’d read somewhere that you can judge the quality of a craftsman by the quality of his tools. The Pragmatic Programmer is a book I’d expect to see on any professional developer’s shelf.