Questions tagged [books]

Questions on books related to programming, software development, computer science, etc. Do not ask for book recommendations, they are off-topic for this site! Review the existing questions, as many popular books already have questions about them.

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Debugging miscompile [closed]

Recently I encountered an issue at work where a unit test written in C++ would crash only when being compiled with MSVC 2017 (MSVC 2019 and up are fine). I tried to debug this issue and it seems like ...
yijiem's user avatar
  • 107
1 vote
2 answers
97 views

How to improve the design of the code using tools (e.g. git)?

There is a bunch of books that state principles about good code (SOLID, DRY, Design patterns etc.) Those principles are solutions to some problems. An application of those principles could go like ...
SomeThoughts's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
827 views

Is TC++PL 4th Edition by Bjarne Stroustrup outdated?

First of all, I hope this question doesn't fall under "Asking For Books Recommendation" Category. Since TC++PL covers C++11, it is 3 revisions old (C++14, C++17, C++20), the ISO group is ...
theasker's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
818 views

An Example for Client - Server Architecture

In the text book software engineering by Sommerville , there is an example where he uses it to illustrate the famous type of software architecture "Client-Server Architecture", here it is : ...
John adams's user avatar
23 votes
10 answers
7k views

What does the crash early concept mean?

While I am reading The Pragmatic Programmer e2, I came across Tip 38: Crash Early. Basically, the author, at least to my understanding, advises to avoid catching exceptions and let the program crash. ...
Hawk's user avatar
  • 467
1 vote
2 answers
287 views

How to avoid duplication with Data Sources

I just started reading The Pragmatic Programmer e2. I came a cross the topic of avoiding Duplication with Data Sources, which I did not fully understand. The pragraph reads as follows: Many Data ...
Hawk's user avatar
  • 467
-4 votes
1 answer
430 views

What is a good book to learn JavaScript for complete beginners?

I could not find a good book for learning JavaScript. I Googled but most books seem to assume that you have some programming experience and don’t teach from the ground up. They assume you should know ...
Kaisey Rodriges's user avatar
-3 votes
1 answer
80 views

Trying to find a quote -- when you find a bug, fix all occurrences of it

I vaguely remember a quote from, IIRC Kernighan. Something along the lines of: when you find a bug, fix all occurrences of it I think it was either in the "Practice of Programming" or "The C ...
Mike Samuel's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
632 views

JavaScript constraints on object's values

I'm currectly reading the book JavaScript: The Good Parts by Douglas Crockford. The opening of the Chapter 3 Objects immediately confuses me with a (possible) contradiction. I re-read the two ...
Igor Soloydenko's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
5k views

Is SICP still relevant? [closed]

Today, I came across this book entitled:The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs I read the Table Of Contents and it really interests, me. It seems to be exactly what I've been looking ...
Luke's user avatar
  • 273
1 vote
2 answers
530 views

Is a book that teaches how to build compilers good for learning to implement interpreters? [closed]

I'm looking for a book to learn how to implement interpreters for programming languages. Thing is there are much more 'compiler books' than 'interpreter books'. So my question is: can I read a book ...
Aviv Cohn's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
3k views

Are 'The Pragmatic Programmer' and 'The Mythical Man Month' good books for people with limited practical experience programming [closed]

I was once told to read the books titled 'The Pragmatic Programmer' and 'The Mythical Man Month'. I have very little experience programming (basic HTML, CSS and JS). If I were to purchase these books,...
JoshuaPP's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
5k views

Authoritative sources for exception handling best practices [closed]

My work place suffers from a bad case of the Pokemon Exception Handling anti-pattern with constructs like the following splattered across the code base: try { ... } catch (Exception ex) { // ...
Stand with Gaza's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are programming books in other languages useful for Python? [closed]

I'm a self-taught intermediate Python programmer; I frequently come across popular books on software development and programming written in other languages (often Java). Typical examples: ...
Jason Wirth's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
978 views

Effective Java for experienced Java programmers? [duplicate]

I own and read 'Java Puzzlers', 'Clean Code' and GOF's 'Design Patterns' and more specific technology books however I have not yet read 'Effective Java'. Whenever I see a list of must read books I ...
Tom's user avatar
  • 125
26 votes
2 answers
4k views

What's the difference in content between Chris Okasaki's 1996 thesis and 1999 book, Purely Functional Data Structures? [closed]

I want to read Purely Functional Data Structures. I've easily found the thesis (which is freely available as a PDF), but see that there's a book available also. So I'd like to know what the ...
Kostiantyn Rybnikov's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
621 views

How to get familiar with "what happens underneath of Java"? [closed]

I did not study CS nor IT. I just became a developer, now working with Java. Actually, since I now work with a big company writing high-scalable web applications, I think I need to be better with ...
FidEliO's user avatar
  • 167
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

What are the differences between Special Edition and the Third Edition of Stroustrup's The C++ Programming Language? [closed]

I'm buying a few C++ books after moving from Java. I obviously want to read the reference manual from the man himself, though I cannot tell the difference between these two editions. The special ...
TheBlueCat's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
550 views

How Do I Determine the Value of a Technical book? [closed]

I'm interested in finding more books like The Pragmatic Programmer. Rather than the run of the mill, technology-specific books that are out of date by the time they go to press. Can you provide advice ...
amphibient's user avatar
  • 1,591
17 votes
5 answers
20k views

Is the book "Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs" a good read for Java programmers? [closed]

This may be subjective and likely to be closed but I still wanted to know if its really helpfull to read Structure and Interpretation of Computer programs. Structure and Interpretation of Computer ...
ajm's user avatar
  • 1,255
36 votes
7 answers
13k views

What is the correct order to read these books? [closed]

I'm a junior C# developer, I learned at home and now I got my first job :) I want to buy these books. But what is the correct order to read these books? Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of ...
Tarek Saied's user avatar
0 votes
5 answers
510 views

Getting through a lengthy book? [closed]

This may seen like a weird question, but since we're challenged--as engineers--to constantly adapt to changing technologies, we always find ourselves buried in documentation. That said, we also need ...
Mr_Spock's user avatar
  • 327
10 votes
2 answers
25k views

Java language book for an experienced programmer? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is there a canonical book for learning Java as an experienced developer? I am looking for book to get up to speed with (start with) a Java language. I am experienced (more ...
user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
8k views

Is there a single book that covers the breadth of computer science fundamentals? [closed]

When I did my undergraduate studies in elecrical engineering, there was this book called "Basic Electricity" by Van Valkenburgh. If you read that book cover to cover, your fundamentals in electrical ...
superFoo's user avatar
  • 421
3 votes
5 answers
3k views

It's ok to study the C++ from a book that only support the 1998 version of standard? [closed]

I have this big book that basically covers all the main aspects of the C++, the problem is that is pretty old according to the C++ standards of today, it's ok to use it?
user827992's user avatar
  • 1,175
14 votes
1 answer
4k views

Best exception handling practices or recommendations? [closed]

I think the two main problems with my programs are my code structure/organization and my error handling. I'm reading Code Complete 2, but I need something to read for working with potential problems. ...
mowwwalker's user avatar
  • 1,159
15 votes
4 answers
8k views

Approaching Java/JVM internals [closed]

I've programmed in Java for about 8 years and I know the language quite well as a developer, but my goal is to deepen my knowledge of the internals. I've taken undergraduate courses in PL design, but ...
spinning_plate's user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
2k views

How to gain experience? [closed]

This is a problem that I think many people will find very common and some guidance from the expert users around here will be appreciated. Background Basically I'm a junior web developer in a team of ...
Songo's user avatar
  • 6,588
5 votes
1 answer
207 views

How does one write a book on a new framework? [closed]

How are authors able to write a book on a framework that is just released? A framework like spring is updated, and a book is released in the next day. Is this typically by people who are direct ...
monksy's user avatar
  • 639
14 votes
3 answers
22k views

Is there any algorithm book that teaches like Head First series? [closed]

As a Java programmer I need to learn algorithms (for programming Challenges). I read some Head First Series (JAVA owned by me) and they are pretty brain friendly. So I was wondering is there any ...
AabinGunz's user avatar
  • 259
0 votes
4 answers
4k views

what is best book to learn optimized programming in java [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Is there a canonical book for learning Java as an experienced developer? Let me elaborate a little: I used to be a C/C++ programmer where I used data structure concept like ...
AabinGunz's user avatar
  • 259
22 votes
1 answer
14k views

Learning Asynchronous programming [closed]

Asynchronous non-blocking event driven programming seems to be all the rage. I have a basic conceptual understanding of what this all means. However what I'm not sure is when and where my code can ...
xenoterracide's user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
6k views

Is there a canonical book on requirements gathering? [closed]

Is there a book out there that's the de-facto standard for describing best practices, methodologies, and other helpful information on gathering requirements for software and database projects? What ...
MadSeb's user avatar
  • 195
6 votes
1 answer
3k views

Advanced JavaScript design patterns [closed]

I'm looking for books, online resources or suggestions about how to structure big projects or build a framework in JavaScript. I'm not looking for books explaining how inheritance or closures work. I'...
Ghigo's user avatar
  • 163
6 votes
4 answers
5k views

Learning event driven programming [closed]

I want to learn more about event driven programming. Especially where and why I would consider using events. What resources/books should I consider reading to this end? (note: I'm indifferent to ...
xenoterracide's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
2k views

research papers vs books [closed]

For studying advanced topics, what's the better and nearer to complete approach? Can books cover what's in research papers, journals or those ACM transactions, or Springer's LNCS? Or reading research ...
Amir Nasr's user avatar
  • 119
5 votes
2 answers
7k views

What's the best way to learn the MS Business Intelligence stack? [closed]

What's the best/easiest way to get into the MS BI stack on my own (preferably with a [kindle] book)? Specifically, I'd like to learn more about SSIS, SSRS, and SSAS in that order. I've tried looking ...
jdylanmc's user avatar
  • 181
2 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is there a canonical book on Android Development? [closed]

I am getting into Android Development and want a book to help fill in some of the gaps. Is there a book out there that's the de-facto standard for describing best practices, design methodologies, ...
user avatar
51 votes
18 answers
8k views

Is there an expiration date for well regarded, but old books on programming? [closed]

After reading a question about books every programmer should read, I wonder if the following should be considered obsolete: Code complete: 1st edition in 1993; 2nd edition in May, 2004 Introduction ...
52 votes
11 answers
59k views

Is there a canonical book on design patterns? [closed]

I am interested in learning design patterns and would like to know what are considered top tier books in learning this subject. Is there a book out there that's the de-facto standard for describing ...
mW00t's user avatar
  • 667
151 votes
5 answers
51k views

What are the key points of Working Effectively with Legacy Code? [closed]

I've seen the book Working Effectively with Legacy Code recommended a few times. What are the key points of this book? Is there much more to dealing with legacy code than adding unit/integration ...
Armand's user avatar
  • 6,508
22 votes
3 answers
10k views

What modern alternatives to Numerical Recipes exist? [closed]

In the past, the Numerical Recipes book was considered the gold standard reference for numerical algorithms. The earliest Fortran Edition was followed by editions in C and C++ and others, bringing it ...
Stewart's user avatar
  • 357
0 votes
1 answer
191 views

"Dedication of the Harvard Mark I computer, 1944 August 7"- Which text is Brooks referring to and where can I find it? [closed]

I am reading the epilogue of the Anniversary Edition of the Mythical Man Month. The author, Frederic Brooks, says Still vivid in my mind is the wonder and delight with which I - then 13 years old - ...
JW01's user avatar
  • 3,569
2 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is "PHP and MySQL Web Development, 4th ed." an outdated book to learn from? [closed]

I want to get into web stuff, and thought of going with PHP+MySQL. I have experience in C#, C++, desktop graphics, but no web stuff besides HTML, CSS which I started learning 2 months ago. On SO PHP-...
ForeverLearnNeverMaster's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
886 views

What is a good way to familiarize myself with PHP, coming from an ASP.NET background? [closed]

Currently, I'm very comfortable with building tools/web apps in an ASP.NET environment. I'm not really looking to leave tbh, as I really like C#, ASP.NET, MVC 3, Visual Studio, etc. However, right ...
Eric's user avatar
  • 311
7 votes
4 answers
7k views

C Language - K&R 1st vs 2nd Edition? [closed]

I'm planning to buy a book to learn C Language. Many say K&R is a must-have book for C programmers so I chose it. I see that there are two editions. What are the differences between them?
kazinix's user avatar
  • 333
2 votes
3 answers
3k views

Is there a canonical book on functional design specifications? [closed]

I have seen and read quite a few books about software design (using UML, etc.), and others about user experience, GUIs, etc. but I'm looking for books that describe the process that happens before all ...
user avatar
29 votes
3 answers
37k views

Is Safari Books Online still the best game in town? [closed]

I'm a Safari Books subscriber and have been for years. I like having all the books available immediately. I was wondering if there was a better competing service. Does anyone know if there's ...
Tim Coker's user avatar
  • 401
7 votes
4 answers
1k views

What books or resources would you recommend to learn practical OO design and development concepts? [closed]

I'm a self taught programmer; I understand the foundations of programming and what classes are, but my code tends to be messy with class methods interacting with a half a dozen other classes, and my ...
David's user avatar
  • 197
42 votes
9 answers
3k views

Could spending time on Programmers.SE or Stack Overflow be substitute of good programming books for a non-beginner? [closed]

Could spending time (and actively participating) on Programmers.SE and Stack Overflow help me improve my programming skills any close to what spending time on reading a book like Code Complete 2 (...
Atul Goyal's user avatar