The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master

No matter how long you've been a programmer, you're always looking for new ways to hone your craft and learn new techniques. One of the best ways to do that is by reading books on programming—as in, books that are actually about programming. Here's our list of 10 of the best. 1. Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software 2. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship 3. Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code 4. The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master 5. Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability 6. The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering 7. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs 8. Introduction to Algorithms (The MIT Press) 9. Programming Pearls (2nd Edition) 10. The Art of Computer Programming

I've gotten a lot of good book referrals through HN, including "Starting Strength: Basic Barbell Training" by Mark Rippetoe. So cutting out online stuff is just a bad idea (significantly reduces my "surface area"). OTOH, I really need to get back into a habit of reading books, every day. I used to go through a goodly number of non-fiction books on a regular basis (another good book, "The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master" says you should read at least one non-fiction book in your field a quarter), but recently I've just lacked the discipline and habit to do so. I find myself reading a lot online, but so much of it is so low information and not in-depth enough. That said, I also try to partake of fiction, although in that regard I'm not doing great either, as I opt for a lot of passive fiction in the form of video. Fiction can be just as good for expanding the mind, even exercising empathy. Just reading speculative fiction (to give a broader term to science fiction) can exercise one's mind in visualizing things or give one new ideas. Heck, Google Earth was supposedly inspired by a technology in "Snow Crash".…

One of my favorite fundamental books is "The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master" by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas

1. "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. Taught me how to be more productive and simplify thinking about productivity. One of the books I re-read every year. 2. "The Bible" - I am not too religious, but I am a spiritual person. I find the new testament to be a good blueprint on how to live a righteous life. 3. "The Pragmatic Programmer: from journeyman to master" - such a timeless classic. Just get it...

The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master