[KBoogle]

Hi,

I'm looking for a book that would teach me common programming principles and practices that applies to all languages rather than focus on peculiarities of one specific language. I know of some advanced books, such as Code Complete, but these are too advanced for me.

Is there a beginners book that focuses more on teaching programming rather than a particular language? I understand you can't really write such a book without selecting one language the example tool and using it throughout, and that's fine, but I find it that the beginner books that purport to teach a language focus too much on the nuances on that language rather than on principles and good practices common to all. I know there are some advanced books like Code Complete and Programming Pearls, but those are too advanced for me as a beginner.

[Martyr2]

Some of the three best are...

1) Code Complete 2
2) Clean Code
3) The Pragmatic Programmer: Journeyman to Master

I personally think everyone should have a copy of Code Complete 2. It is a must have.

Enjoy!

[stackoverflow]

http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/0735611319

^ A work of art. Will teach you programming from the ground up and remain programming language agnostic. If that book doesn't teach you something new about programming then you're set.

This post has been edited by stackoverflow: 23 October 2012 - 12:32 AM

[scrwdpoint]

http://cisnet.baruch...es/programming/

chk it..

[KBoogle]

Martyr2, on 22 October 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

Some of the three best are...

1) Code Complete 2
2) Clean Code
3) The Pragmatic Programmer: Journeyman to Master

I personally think everyone should have a copy of Code Complete 2. It is a must have.

Enjoy!

I already have a copy of Code Complete 2. Figured this will be a very important book to have once I'm a bit more learned. The others listed look to be similar, so I'll keep them wishlisted for the future, thanks!

stackoverflow, on 23 October 2012 - 12:31 AM, said:

http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/0735611319

^ A work of art. Will teach you programming from the ground up and remain programming language agnostic. If that book doesn't teach you something new about programming then you're set.

Will give this a try, thanks! Are you the author of the coding horro blog? I chanced upon it last week and my gosh, what a treasure trove of useful software design tips that I'm sure one would never find in any book. I'm having trouble trying to absorb it all! Thank you!

scrwdpoint, on 23 October 2012 - 12:40 AM, said:

http://cisnet.baruch...es/programming/

chk it..

This looks exactly what I think I'm looking for, although most of this is already familiar to me. Thanks a lot!

[AnalyticLunatic]

Martyr2, on 22 October 2012 - 03:56 PM, said:

Some of the three best are...

1) Code Complete 2
2) Clean Code
3) The Pragmatic Programmer: Journeyman to Master

I personally think everyone should have a copy of Code Complete 2. It is a must have.

Enjoy!

Code Complete 2 is the supportive book we are using in my C++ course that starts tonight.

[Lemur]

If you're interested in learning a new language heralded for its enlightenment potential, look into Scheme with 'The Little Schemer'

[depricated]

This discusses Design Patterns, and I think is invaluable. I read this for a paper in school and am glad I did, well worth it. It gave me an understanding of concepts that other books had glossed over.

http://www.amazon.co...d/dp/0201633612

This actually came up in an interview recently, as well. I wound up accepting a different offer, but it's interesting to note.

This post has been edited by depricated: 24 October 2012 - 08:06 AM

[stackoverflow]

KBoogle, on 23 October 2012 - 04:31 PM, said:

stackoverflow, on 23 October 2012 - 12:31 AM, said:

http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/0735611319

^ A work of art. Will teach you programming from the ground up and remain programming language agnostic. If that book doesn't teach you something new about programming then you're set.

Will give this a try, thanks! Are you the author of the coding horror blog? I chanced upon it last week and my gosh, what a treasure trove of useful software design tips that I'm sure one would never find in any book. I'm having trouble trying to absorb it all! Thank you!

No, I am not Jeff Atwood.

[cgren72]

+1 for The Pragmatic Programmer, it is a great book that teaches the methods to go about programming, how to fix problems, etc, instead of just how to write code.

[peace_fixation]

I've read The Pragmatic Programmer a couple of times and it's straightened a few things out for me and given me a lot of perspective. My next purchase is Design Patterns, and Code Complete looks decent too.