Recommended by foreign programmers: books that every programmer should read

[Updated]: recently (December August 17, 2012), I reviewed the original stackoverflow discussion post and found it was closed at the beginning of this year. However, some people make a summary and put the books mentioned in other replies in the reply with the highest number of votes. 59 books are added for new updates. For details, see the second half of the article.

Editor's Note: In August 4, 2008, The stackoverflow user Bert F posted a question: Which of the most influential books should be read by every programmer?

"If you can go back to the past, as a developer, you can tell yourself which book you should read in the early stages of your career. Which one would you choose? I hope this book list is rich in content and can cover many things ."

Many programmers respond and write their own comments during the recommendation process. In the past, some domestic netizens introduced this programmer's book list, but they all recommended the top 10 books. In fact, in addition to the first 10 books, the top 30 books recommended are all classic books. bole compiled and compiled this Q & A post online, and translated some comments from recommenders. The numbers of recommendations for each book are listed below.

 

1. Code DaquanSteve Mike Cornell

Recommendation: 1684

"An excellent Encyclopedia of programming practices ,《Code Overview"Focuses on personal technology. All of these are what we say by instinct:" Writing neat code ". This book has 50 pages to talk about code layout ." -- Joel Spolsky

For beginners, the concepts in this book are somewhat advanced. By the time you prepare to read this book, you should have known and practiced 99% concepts in the book. -Esac

 

2. programmer Cultivation

Recommendation: 1504

This is an excellent book for programmers who have learned programming mechanisms. Maybe they are still in school, but they do not feel very safe about what they want to do. Just like the difference between sketch and architecture. Although you learned drawing in school classes, you can also draw beautiful pictures, but if you don't know where to start, if someone wants you to draw a P2P Music Exchange Network Diagram on your own, this book is suitable for you. -- Joel

3. Construction and interpretation of computer programs

Recommendation: 916

Personally, this book has so far become a fascinating programming book for me.

《Code Overview"," Restructuring "and" design patterns "will teach you efficient work habits and transaction details. Other books such as the collection of pieces, computer programming psychology, and The Mythical man-month will go deep into the psychological layer of software development. Other Books process algorithms. These books have their own locations.

However, the construction and interpretation of computer programs are different from those. This is a book that will inspire you. It will inspire your enthusiasm for writing excellent programs. It will also teach you to know and appreciate the beauty. It will give you a kind of reverence, it makes it hard for you to suppress the desire to learn more. Other books may make you a better programmer, but this book will surely make you a programmer.

At the same time, you will learn other things, functional programming (Chapter 3), inert computing, metaprogramming, virtual machines, interpreters, and compilers.

Some people think this book is not suitable for beginners. I personally think that although I do not fully agree that I must have some programming experience to read this book, I must recommend it to beginners. After all, this book is written to the famous 6.001 and is an introductory Programming Course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This book may require more effort (especially when you are doing exercises, you should also do so), but the price is worth it.

Are you not sure? Then read the preface or preface of the first edition. A free electronic version is available online. -Antti sykäri

 

4. C Programming Language

Recommendation: 774

This book is concise and easy to read. It will teach you three things: C programming language, how to think like a programmer, and the underlying computing model. (This is important for understanding the "bottom layer") -- Nathan

 

5. Introduction to Algorithms

Recommendation: 671

Code Daquan teaches you how to program correctly; man-month myth teaches you how to manage correctly; Design Pattern teaches you how to design correctly ......

In my opinion, code is just a tool, not the essence. The main part of software development is to create new algorithms or re-implement existing algorithms. Other parts are like re-assembling Lego bricks or creating "management" layers. I still dream of such a job. Most of my time (> 50%) is writing algorithms, while other "management" details are left to others ...... -- Ran biron

 

6. refactoring: improving the design of existing code

Recommendation: 617

I think I have to recommend refactoring: improving the design of existing code. -- Martin

I must admit that my favorite programming quotes come from this book: Any fool can write programs that computers can understand, while excellent programmers can write programs that others can understand. -- Martin Fowler

 

7. Design Patterns

Recommendation: 617

As far as I am concerned, I think the design pattern compiled by four people is a very useful book. Although this book is not about "meta" programming like other recommendations, it emphasizes encapsulating excellent programming technologies such as patterns and encourages others to propose new and antipatterns ), and used in programming dialogs. -- Chris jester-young

 

8. Mythical man-month

Recommendation: 588

 

9. Computer Programming Art

Recommendation: 542

This is a book written by Gartner. -- Peter coulton

 

10. compilation principles(Longshu)

Recommendation: 462

I was surprised that no one mentioned longshu. (I have not seen any recommendations ). I have never forgotten the cover of the first version of this book. This book shows me how amazing the compiler is. -DB

 

11. Exploring Design Patterns

Recommendation: 445

I know that the design pattern of the four-person group is a standard book, but it is easier to look at it first. Once you understand the basic principles, you can read the Bible of the four-person gang. -Calanus

 

12. Gödel, Esher, and Bach: a collection of great achievements

Recommendation: 437

If I really want to go deep, I recommend Douglas Hofstadter's book Godel, Esher, and Bach. He has thoroughly studied the daily problems that programmers face: recursion, verification, proof, and Boolean algebra. This is an excellent book, which is difficult and occasionally challenging. Once you have to fight the battle, it will be very worthwhile. -Jonik

 

13. Clean code

Recommendation: 329

Although there are many similarities between the "clean code" and "code Daquan", there are clear and concise examples. -Craig P. motlin

 

14. Effective C ++ and more effective C ++

Recommendation: 297

In the early stages of my career, Scott Meyer's "effective C ++" and later "more effective C ++" both have a direct impact on my programming capabilities. As a friend said at the time, these books shorten the process of developing programming skills, and others may spend years.

The most influential book last year was the cathedral and market, which taught me how to operate the open source development process and how to handle bugs in my code. -John Channing

 

15. Programming Pearl River

Recommendation: 282

Although I have to be ashamed to admit that I do not understand half of the content in the book, I really recommend programming Pearl, which is somewhat surprising. -Matt Warren

 

16. Art of code modificationBy Michael feathers

I don't think any book can affect my programming point of view like this one. It clearly tells you how to deal with other people's code and implicitly teaches you what to avoid (and why ). -Wolfbyte

Agree. Many developers discuss writing software with clean slate. But I think almost all developers sometimes eat dog food from other developers. -Bernard DY

 

17. coding: Language hiding behind computer software and hardware

I recommend Charles Petzold's coding. In this age of tools and IDE, a lot of complexity has been extracted from programmers. This book is an open book. -Hemil

 

18. Zen and motorcycle repair art/Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance

The book that has the greatest impact on me is Robert pirsig's Zen and motorcycle repair art. No matter what you do, always strive for perfection, thoroughly understand the tools and tasks in your hands, and more importantly, have fun (because if you have fun doing things, everything will lead to better results ). -AKR

(Editor's note: for this book, you can also take a look at Ruan Yifeng's post-reading experience .)

 

19. eagleware/Collection: User-friendly software development

DeMarco and Lister indicate that the primary issue in software development is human, not technology. Their answer is not simple, but an incredible success. The second version adds eight new chapters. -Eduardo molteni

 

20. coders at work/programming life

A very influential book can learn the experience of some top-level people in the industry and learn how they think and work. -Jahanzeb Farooq

 

21. Surely you're joking, mr. Feynman! /Come on, Mr. Feynman!

Although this book may be a bit biased, believe it or not, it was written on the reading list of computer science courses. An excellent role model and an excellent book on curiosity. -Mike511

 

22. Simplified Java Chinese edition

This second edition teaches you how to write beautiful and efficient code. Although this is a Java book, there are many cross-language ideas. -Marcio Aguiar

 

23. Patterns of enterprise application architecture/enterprise application architecture model

It's strange that no one recommends Martin Fowler's enterprise application architecture model-Levi rosol

 

24. The little schemer and the seasoned schemerNmiranda

These two are letters from lisp, and there is no Chinese version. The website of Northeastern University also has an electronic version.

 

25. The road to Interactive DesignEnglish name: the inmates are running the asylum: Why high tech products drive us crazy and how to restore the sanity book Alan Cooper, known as the father of Visual Basic, father of interactive design.

This book describes how to create better and more loyal software products and software-based high-tech products based on numerous business cases. This book lists a lot of real and credible examples, indicating that there is a common problem of "difficult to use" in software products and software-based high-tech products. The author believes that the "difficult to use" problem is caused by the high "cognitive friction" in these products, the root cause of this problem lies in the lack of an early stage of "Interactive Design" for the interests of users in the software development process. "Difficult to use" products not only damage the interests of users, but also lead to enterprise failure. This book uses some vivid examples to explain the effectiveness of the "objective-oriented" Interactive Design method proposed by the author in solving the "difficult to use" problem, it is confirmed that only by changing existing ideas can we effectively introduce interactive design in the development process and lead the product design to success.

Although this book is written for business personnel, it is also suitable for all professionals involved in software products and software-based high-tech product development, and those who care about the current situation and development of the software and high-tech industries.

He also has another Chinese version: the essence of about face 3 Interactive Design

 

26. Why's (Poignant) Guide to Ruby

Reading this book may be interesting if you are not a programmer, but it may be boring if you are already a programmer.

 

27.Unix programming Art

It is useful regardless operating system you use.-j.f. Sebastian
This book is useful no matter what operating system you use. -J.f. Sebastian

 

28. 45 habits of practices of an agile developer/efficient programmer: practices of agile development

45 habits are divided into seven aspects: work attitude, learning, Software Delivery, feedback, coding, debugging and collaboration.

In each specific habit, a paradox is first put forward, then an analysis is carried out, and then a correct approach is put forward in a positive team, put yourself in the correct way to give you personal "personal feelings", and finally list several precautions to help you correct your practices ("balanced art ").

 

29. Test-driven development by example./test-driven development

Many of the books mentioned above have inspired me and influenced me, but every programmer should read this book. It showed me the importance of unit testing and tdd and gave me a quick start. -Curro

I don't care how nice or elegant your code is. If you do not perform the test, you may not have written the code. This book should have a higher number of recommendations. People discuss writing your favorite software or designing robust and efficient code, but if your software has a bunch of bugs, it makes no sense to talk about those things. -Adam gent

 

30. Don't make me think/dianshi chengjin: visitor-oriented Webpage Design tips

Depends on your goals. I like code Daquan because of pure programming, and dianshi chengjin is an excellent book on uidesign. -Justin Standard

 

[Update]: August 17, 2012 19:08:39

This article has been reposted on other websites recently, but its title has been changed to "30 books a qualified programmer should read". This title is not easy to change, and it deviated from the original meaning. Besides, I have mentioned more than 30 books.

I re-read the original so post today and found it was closed at the beginning of this year. However, some people make a summary and put the books mentioned in other replies in the reply with the highest number of votes.

Modern C ++ design by Andrei Alexandrescu

Best software writing I by Joel Spolsky

The practice of programming | programming practices by kernighan and pike

Pragmatic thinking and learning: refactor your wetware by Andy hunt

Software estimation: Demystifying the black art by Steve McCONNEL

The passionate programmer | my programming, my pleasure: The Path to career planning for programmers by Chad Fowler

Hackers: Heroes of the computer revolution | hacker: Hero of the computer revolution

Algorithms + data structures = programs

Writing solid code

Javescript: the good parts | the essence of JavaScript

Getting real by 37 Signals

Foundations of programming by Karl Seguin

Computer Graphics: Principles and Practice in C (2nd edition) | principles and practices of computer graphics: C language description

Thinking in Java | Java programming ideology by Bruce Eckel

The elements of Computing Systems

Refactoring to patterns | reconstruction and mode by Joshua kerievsky

Modern Operating Systems | modern operating systems by Andrew S. Tanenbaum

The annotated Turing

Things that make us smart by Donald Norman

The timeless way of building | the eternal path of a building by Christopher Alexander

The deadline: a novel about project management by Tom Demarco

The C ++ programming language | C ++ programming language by stroustrup

Patterns of enterprise application architecture | enterprise application architecture model

Computer systems-a programmer's perspective | an in-depth understanding of computer systems

Agile principles, patterns, and practices in C # by Robert C. Martin

Growing object-oriented software, guided by tests

Framework Design Guidelines |. Net Design Specifications: Conventions, idioms, and patterns by Brad Abrams

Object thinking by dr. David West

Advanced Programming in the Unix environment | advanced programming in UNIX environment

Hackers and painters: big ideas from the computer age | hacker and painter

The soul of a new machine | soul of a new machine by Tracy Kidder

CLR via C # | Framework Design by Jeffrey Richter

Design Patterns in C # by Steve metsker

Alice in Wonderland | Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carol

Zen and the art of Motorcycle Maintenance | Zen and motorcycle repair art by Robert M. pirsig

About face-the essentials of interaction design | about face3 interaction design Essence

Here comes everybody: The power of organizing without organizations | the future is wet: unorganized organizational forces by Clay Shirky

The Tao of Programming

Computational beauty of nature

Philip and Alex's Guide to Web Publishing

Object-oriented analysis and design with applications | Object-Oriented Analysis and Design by Grady booch

Tive Java | simplified tive Java Chinese edition by Joshua Bloch

Computability: An Introduction to recursive function theory by N. J. cutland

Masterminds of programming | the wisdom of programmers/the soul of Programming

Tao Te Ching | Tao Te Ching

The productive programmer | effective programmer

The art of deception by Kevin Mitnick

The Career programmer: guerilla tactics for an imperfect world by Christopher Duncan

Paradigms of Artificial Intelligence programming: Case Studies in Common LISP

Masters of doom | revelation of doom

Pragmatic unit testing in C # With nunit by Andy hunt and Dave Thomas with Matt hargett

How to solve it: a new aspect of mathematical method | how to solve the problem: a new method of mathematical thinking by George polyA

The Alchemist | Shepherd's fantastic journey by Paulo Coelho

Smalltalk-80: The Language and Its Implementation

Writing Secure Code (2nd edition) by Michael Howard

Introduction to functional programming by Philip wadler and Richard bird

No bugs! : Delivering error free code in C and C ++ by David thielen

Rework | REPLAY: simpler and more effective business thinking by Jason Freid and DHH

JUnit in action | JUnit practice

 

 

Background

In addition to this book list, some Weibo users once recommended some classic computer books, which are about 50.

 

Compilation: bole online-Huang Limin

Recommended by foreign programmers: books that every programmer should read