The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master

Straight from the programming trenches, The Pragmatic Programmer cuts through the increasing specialization and technicalities of modern software development to examine the core process--taking a requirement and producing working, maintainable code that delights its users. It covers topics ranging from personal responsibility and career development to architectural techniques for keeping your code flexible and easy to adapt and reuse. Read this book, and you'll learn how to Fight software rot; Avoid the trap of duplicating knowledge; Write flexible, dynamic, and adaptable code; Avoid programming by coincidence; Bullet-proof your code with contracts, assertions, and exceptions; Capture real requirements; Test ruthlessly and effectively; Delight your users; Build teams of pragmatic programmers; and Make your developments more precise with automation. Written as a series of self-contained sections and filled with entertaining anecdotes, thoughtful examples, and interesting analogies, The Pragmatic Programmer illustrates the best practices and major pitfalls of many different aspects of software development. Whether you're a new coder, an experienced programmer, or a manager responsible for software projects, use these lessons daily, and you'll quickly see improvements in personal productivity, accuracy, and job satisfaction. You'll learn skills and develop habits and attitudes that form the foundation for long-term success in your career. You'll become a Pragmatic Programmer. Table of Contents Foreword. Preface. 1. A Pragmatic Philosophy. The Cat Ate My Source Code. Software Entropy. Stone Soup and Boiled Frogs. Good-Enough Software. Your Knowledge Portfolio. Communicate! 2. A Pragmatic Approach. The Evils of Duplication. Orthogonality. Reversibility. Tracer Bullets. Prototypes and Post-it Notes. Domain Languages. Estimating. 3. The Basic Tools. The Power of Plain Text. Shell Games. Power Editing. Source Code Control. Debugging. Text Manipulation. Code Generators. 4. Pragmatic Paranoia. Design by Contract. Dead Programs Tell No Lies. Assertive Programming. When to Use Exceptions. How to Balance Resources. 5. Bend, or Break. Decoupling and the Law of Demeter. Metaprogramming. Temporal Coupling. It's Just a View. Blackboards. 6. While You Are Coding. Programming by Coincidence. Algorithm Speed. Refactoring. Code That's Easy to Test. Evil Wizards. 7. Before the Project. The Requirements Pit. Solving Impossible Puzzles. Not Until You're Ready. The Specification Trap. Circles and Arrows. 8. Pragmatic Projects. Pragmatic Teams. Ubiquitous Automation. Ruthless Testing. It's All Writing. Great Expectations. Pride and Prejudice. Appendices. A Resources. Professional Societies. Building a Library. Internet Resources. Bibliography. B Answers to Exercises. Index. What others in the trenches say about The Pragmatic Programmer... “I would buy a copy, read it twice, then tell all my colleagues to run out and grab a copy. This is a book I would never loan because I would worry about it being lost.” -Kevin Ruland, Management Science, MSG-Logistics “This is the sort of book I will buy a dozen copies of when it comes out so I can give it to my clients.” -Eric Vought, Software Engineer “Most modern books on software development fail to cover the basics of what makes a great software developer, instead spending their time on syntax or technology where in reality the greatest leverage possible for any software team is in having talented developers who really know their craft well. An excellent book.” -Pete McBreen, Independent Consultant “Since reading this book, I have implemented many of the practical suggestions and tips it contains. Across the board, they have saved my company time and money while helping me get my job done quicker! This should be a desktop reference for everyone who works with code for a living.” -Jared Richardson, Senior Software Developer, iRenaissance, Inc. “I would like to see this issued to every new employee at my company....” -Chris Cleeland, Senior Software Engineer, Object Computing, Inc. “If I'm putting together a project, it's the authors of this book that I want. . . . And failing that I'd settle for people who've read their book.” -Ward Cunningham Author Andy Hunt is an avid woodworker and musician, but, curiously, he is more in demand as a consultant. He has worked in telecommunications, banking, financial services, and utilities, as well as in more exotic fields, such as medical imaging, graphic arts, and Internet services. Andy specializes in blending tried-and-true techniques with leading-edge technologies, creating novel--but practical--solutions. Andy owns his own consulting business in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dave Thomas likes to fly single-engine airplanes and pays for his habit by finding elegant solutions to difficult problems, consulting in areas as diverse as aerospace, banking, financial services, telecommunications, travel and transport, and the Internet. Before moving to the United States in 1994, Dave founded an ISO9001-certified English software company that delivered sophisticated, custom software projects throughout the world. Dave is now an independent consultant based in Dallas, Texas.