programming

Beck describes a project methodology that focusses on the daily practices developers can use, in order to achieve results in a faster, reliable, and sustainable way. While other methodologies dive into team structure, and management, Beck and Andres decided to stick to reusable practices that can be applied in most settings. This book popularized the ideas of “Test Driven Development” and “Pair Programming”, and is a must read for any developer that is looking to increase their knowledge of project approaches and the technical practices that support them.

Aimed at novice programmers, and those without a formal computer science background, this book teaches you how to automate parts of your working life. Using python, the reader is first guided through some programming basics, before diving in to practical examples of automation in real-world contexts. Examples include: Automated emails, cleaning files on your machine, converting documents from one format to another, and creating excel sheets.

Known as the ‘Gang of Four,’ the authors of this book have contributed significantly to the field of software development. Their work serves as a foundational text in the discipline.

In the book, they present a collection of programming structures in the form of design patterns. These patterns explain when and how to apply them, as well as their potential drawbacks. While some of the advice in the book, particularly those related to inheritance, may be considered outdated in contemporary software development, the core concepts remain relevant.

The ‘Gang of Four’ patterns provide valuable insights into addressing challenges like extensibility, maintainability, and encapsulation. They offer tried and tested approaches to structuring software, making it a valuable resource for any programmer or software engineer.

The authors provide invaluable insights into achieving well-structured code safely, even in the context of modern Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). While the book’s examples use Java, the underlying concepts are language-agnostic. Whether you work with a programming language or a scripting language, the principles and techniques discussed here are universally applicable.

For those with an particularly strong aversion to Java, a recent edition of the book showcases the same techniques using TypeScript. Whichever edition you choose, “Refactoring” offers timeless wisdom for enhancing your code quality.

Test-Driven Development (TDD) emphasizes writing tests before coding, ensuring that software is both robust and maintainable from the ground up. “Test-Driven Development with Java” by Allan Mellor walks readers through the principles and practices of TDD, highlighting how this methodology can lead to cleaner, more reliable code.

Mellor provides detailed explanations and practical examples, demonstrating how to implement TDD in real-world Java projects. Readers will learn how to write effective unit tests, refactor code efficiently, and integrate TDD into their development workflow. The author conveys the importance of continuous improvement and quality assurance in a relatable and accessible manner.

This book is ideal for software developers, testers, and automation engineers looking to enhance their coding skills and deliver high-quality software products. Filled with valuable insights, it is also a joy to read, thanks to Mellor’s engaging writing style and efforts to make complex concepts easy to understand.

In the world of software development, writing code is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code. In “Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship,” Robert C. Martin, also known as “Uncle Bob”, provides invaluable insights into the art and science of writing clean code.

Martin emphasizes the importance of readability, simplicity, and attention to detail, guiding readers through the process of writing code that is easy to understand, test, and maintain. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build strong coding habits or an experienced programmer aiming to refine your skills, this book provides the tools and techniques necessary to elevate your craft.

Through a series of practical examples and best practices, “Clean Code” equips readers with the knowledge and skills to write elegant, maintainable code. The biggest takeaway from this book is the importance of writing code that is not only functional but also a joy to read and work with. While the book offers a wealth of valuable advice, it’s important to use “Clean Code” as an inspiration rather than a set of strict rules. Some practices may be considered outdated in contemporary software development, but the core principles and concepts remain relevant and essential for any programmer or software engineer.

This website has almost all the commonly used technical terms, concepts and even programming-language specific jargons explained and links provided for further reading. It contains a wealth of information on common technical terminology, making it a great resource for beginners and experts alike.