Product Description: For more than a decade, Steve McConnell, one of the premier authors and voices in the software community, has helped change the way developers write code--and produce better software. Now his classic book, CODE COMPLETE, has been fully updated and revised with best practices in the art and science of constructing software. Whether you're a new developer seeking a sound introduction to the practice of software development or a veteran exploring strategic new approaches to problem solving, you'll find a wealth of practical suggestions and methods for strengthening your skills. Topics include design, applying good techniques to construction, eliminating errors, planning, managing construction activities, and relating personal character to superior software. This new edition features fully updated information on programming techniques, including the emergence of Web-style programming, and integrated coverage of object-oriented design. You'll also find new code examples--both good and bad--in C++, Microsoft(r) Visual Basic(r), C#, and Java, though the focus is squarely on techniques and practices.
Best of the Best Besides agreeing with the other reviews all I can say is that this text has made me a better programmer. Truly.
An Important Read Though this book is filled with debatable opinion and redundant information, it's an important read. Read it if only to keep software engineering topics fresh in your head. Otherwise, if you are already experienced, it's kind of elementary.
Invaluable, Well Presented Information There is probably not a whole lot to say about this book that has not been said already, but it certainly deserves another positive review nonetheless.
I bought this book thinking that I did not have a whole lot to learn from it. I was certain I had read enough 'better coding' material in the past to know what good code was and how to produce it. I am sure you will not be surprised when I say that I ended up having a great deal to learn from this book.
Almost all of the coding advice, design strategies, and debugging techniques are backed up with real research data. At the very least, this means that even if you know the advice is sound already, you can more easily introduce the topic to other programmers, or even to management, and it has a greater chance of being taken in to consideration.
After reading this book, my code quality has definitely increased. I discovered that even the good practices I knew of before were not being put to effective use.
The book is very specific. It does not typically give you vague advice that sounds good if you don't think too hard about it. It gives you very specific, concrete advice, with examples and data to back it up.
The author seems to have put a great deal of effort into writing this book for every type of programmer (and even for people in software management positions). Every chapter introduction describes who should definitely read the chapter and who might benefit from simply skimming it over. He will also direct the reader to other chapters or specific sections of the current chapter based on the reader's knowledge and experience levels.
Finally, as others have said, I consider this a must read book for any programmer.
Complete but a little borring Code complete is the right title for this book. Sadly most people find it extremely hart to read it. Its great as a reference but reading it word for word is as interesting as watching grass grow. Don't get me wrong. This is a great book. Everyone should at least hold it for once. But do not try to read it as a book. The first 300 pages will be boring. When the actual code chapters begin it gets better but still tends to be tedious.
A great book for beginners but a little boring read for advanced users.
Every Programmer Should Own This Book When I bought this book, I couldn't believe all the 5 star ratings in the reviews. But, now that I've finished it, I have to agree with them. Simply put, this is probably the best computer-related book I've read. In the book's 850 pages, I found a grand total of five minor problems: one was grammatical, two were typographical and two were minor disagreements with how some things were presented. All trivial. Content-wise, if the universities would teach this material and if programmers would follow the methodologies contained in the book, the world of software would be far, far better off. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and rate it an Excellent 5 stars out of 5.
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