Amazon.com® Reviews
Book reviews written by Bookhuddle.com members.
Authors: Joel Spolsky
Paperback: 362pages
Publication Date: 9/4/08
Publisher: Apress
ISBN: 1590593898
Bookhuddle Average Rating:
(4.5)
Amazon.com® Average Rating:
(4.5)
something all programmers,managers and people who love programmers should read
Reviewed on 6/4/09 at 10:07 AM.
What a great book! Every programmer and manager should read Joel - even if you don't agree with him, he brings up tons of points you just cannot ignore. For instance, one of my pet peeves is lack of up front planning. And when I say lack, I mean none. The amount of pain this has caused me in the past is impossible to measure (and there is a reason I'm reasonable good with time estimations - I plan what I can up front). Reading him talk about the lack of planning in software dev really warmed my heart.
Another nice little piece was his talk on strings at the beginning. As an embedded engineer I know first hand how costly string manipulations are. I tend to forget that not everyone knows this. Its good to see a mainstream programming book take this topic on.
I will also admit to loving his support of Microsoft; I also feel that they get short shifted and for similar reasons (they really did bring computing to the masses). Finally Joel nails the differences between Microsoft programmers and Linux programmers - to a T. The general breakdown is MS programmers design the GUI first and add the CLI later while the Linux folks do the opposite. In general, this makes a lot of sense, especially when you compare Linux and Windows from about 2 yrs ago. Or Gnome today (KDE ftw).
If you program, or love someone who does, read this book.
Another nice little piece was his talk on strings at the beginning. As an embedded engineer I know first hand how costly string manipulations are. I tend to forget that not everyone knows this. Its good to see a mainstream programming book take this topic on.
I will also admit to loving his support of Microsoft; I also feel that they get short shifted and for similar reasons (they really did bring computing to the masses). Finally Joel nails the differences between Microsoft programmers and Linux programmers - to a T. The general breakdown is MS programmers design the GUI first and add the CLI later while the Linux folks do the opposite. In general, this makes a lot of sense, especially when you compare Linux and Windows from about 2 yrs ago. Or Gnome today (KDE ftw).
If you program, or love someone who does, read this book.
Smart
Reviewed on 6/4/09 at 10:07 AM.
Joel is a very smart guy, period.
If you are programmer and do not have time to read cover to cover, just finish these two essays:
- GETTING THINGS DONE WHEN YOU'RE ONLY A GRUNT
- THE GUERILLA GUIDE TO INTERVIEWING
This is Joel's criteria for hiring the right people:
In principle, it's simple. You're looking for people who are
Smart
Get things done
In Joel's defination, smart is right aptitude not particular skill set.
(mind you, Joel also said understanding c pointers is an aptitude not skill, and he discounts brain teaser as a valuable means to test smartness)
If you have more time, read INCENTIVE PAY CONSIDERED HARMFUL for amusement.
If you are programmer and do not have time to read cover to cover, just finish these two essays:
- GETTING THINGS DONE WHEN YOU'RE ONLY A GRUNT
- THE GUERILLA GUIDE TO INTERVIEWING
This is Joel's criteria for hiring the right people:
In principle, it's simple. You're looking for people who are
Smart
Get things done
In Joel's defination, smart is right aptitude not particular skill set.
(mind you, Joel also said understanding c pointers is an aptitude not skill, and he discounts brain teaser as a valuable means to test smartness)
If you have more time, read INCENTIVE PAY CONSIDERED HARMFUL for amusement.
Good follow up for Pragmatic Programmer
Reviewed on 6/4/09 at 10:07 AM.
If you're a programmer in the business world, read this book. It'll save you a lot of headaches and make you much more confident.
Amazing!!
Reviewed on 6/4/09 at 10:07 AM.
One of the best Software Engineering book I've ever read.
Funny, amaizingly educational, enjoyable.
Funny, amaizingly educational, enjoyable.
Survives the test of time
Reviewed on 6/4/09 at 10:07 AM.
In a domain where 6 months is a lifetime, this book has survived the test of time remarkably well. Joel brings to bear his experience as a programmer, program manager and software company CEO in this series of articles on the software development business.
The book rambles through topics ranging from strategy to programming to project management. The strategy and project management topics are as fresh and applicable today as when they were written. The programing technology topics are relevant, but take some abstracting - "Knowing how to dig down into the details" has different details today than when the essays were originally written.
Even if you don't agree with 100% of what Joel says, the book should be included in the reading list of most programmers, program managers and software company executives.
The book rambles through topics ranging from strategy to programming to project management. The strategy and project management topics are as fresh and applicable today as when they were written. The programing technology topics are relevant, but take some abstracting - "Knowing how to dig down into the details" has different details today than when the essays were originally written.
Even if you don't agree with 100% of what Joel says, the book should be included in the reading list of most programmers, program managers and software company executives.