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Hello Devs, if you have worked as Software Engineer, a Developer or a Programmer then you may know that as software engineers, continuous learning is not just a goal --- it's a necessity.
From one task to another, from one project to another, there is always learning required. Many times you need to learn a new programming language or framework or library, or coding and designing.
And, when it comes to learning, nothing beats book.
Whether you're looking to refine your coding practices, master system design, or gain a deeper understanding of software architecture, the right books can offer insights and techniques to elevate your skills.
I know that we learn from our experience and books are great way to learn from other people's experience.
There is a limit how much you can learn from your own experience but if you start learning from other folk's experience then there is no limit.
And, books give glimpse of how experts think, what understand of they have on certain topics which matter most for software engineers and developers.
In the last few articles, I have shared many popular system design questions like API Gateway vs Load Balancer and Horizontal vs Vertical Scaling, Forward proxy vs reverse proxy as well as 50 system design problems and today I am going to share the 10 books you can read to become a better software engineer.
This article features ten essential books every software engineer should read, divided into five categories: General Advice, Coding, Software Architecture, Design Patterns, and Data Structures & Algorithms.
So what are we waiting for, let's start
10 Books Every Software Engineer and Developer Must Read
Without any further ado, here are the best books any Software engineer, developer, or programmer can read.
We will start books with general advice for programmers and then finish it on Data Structures and Algorithms, one topic which separate amateur from professionals on programming field.
General Advice
- The Pragmatic Programmer This classic by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas provides actionable advice for software developers, from debugging techniques to career growth. It emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and continuously refining your craft.
- Code Complete (2nd Edition) Written by Steve McConnell, this book is often hailed as a comprehensive guide to software construction.
It provides proven practices for writing robust, maintainable code and improving your software craftsmanship. This book was first recommend to me by our tech lead which had a tradition to give this book to every new joiner in the company.
Coding
Now, let's see few coding books which every software engineer should read
Clean Code
By Robert C. Martin ("Uncle Bob"), this book is a manifesto for writing readable, efficient, and maintainable code. It provides practical examples of bad code versus clean code and teaches you the mindset of a skilled programmer.Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code
This book by Martin Fowler is essential for anyone looking to improve their existing codebase without introducing new bugs. It's a step-by-step guide to transforming bad code into good code while preserving functionality.
Software Architecture
- Designing Data-Intensive Applications By Martin Kleppmann, this book dives deep into the systems that power modern software applications. It's an indispensable resource for understanding distributed systems, data pipelines, and scalability.
- System Design Interview (Volumes 1 & 2) Designed to prepare you for system design interviews, these books by Alex Xu break down complex systems into simple, digestible components. They're packed with real-world examples and diagrams to help you master system design.
Design Patterns
Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
This seminal work by Erich Gamma, Richard Helm, Ralph Johnson, and John Vlissides (the "Gang of Four") introduces 23 foundational design patterns. It's a must-read for understanding object-oriented programming and software design.Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software
By Eric Evans, this book explores techniques to handle complex business domains in software development. It emphasizes collaboration between developers and domain experts to create intuitive, effective systems.
Data Structures & Algorithms
Introduction to Algorithms
Known as the "CLRS book," this comprehensive guide covers a wide range of algorithms and data structures, complete with mathematical rigor. It's an essential resource for both beginners and seasoned developers.Cracking the Coding Interview
By Gayle Laakmann McDowell, this book is the ultimate resource for technical interviews. It provides 189 programming questions and solutions, along with strategies to tackle them effectively.
Why These Programming and Development Books Matter?
This good question, why should you read these books? There are better things you can do like watching Squid Games season 2 in Netflix or binge watching YouTube videos, so why should one read these books?
Well, these ten books collectively address the most critical aspects of software engineering.
From honing your coding skills and understanding architectural design to mastering data structures and algorithms, they prepare you for real-world challenges and interviews alike.
Just reading these books will expand your knowledge base and even if you don't get 100% you will be much better engineer then without reading these books.
If you ask me, I have read most of them, not page to page but most of it and I can say that every time I read a book, I come up with more knowledge and wisdom even on topic which I thought I know very well.
If you want to just read one book, start with Clean Code, one of my favorite books on coding. I learned a lot about coding as an art from this book.
It's the one which takes you from HelloWorld programmer to a professional, well at least, it made that impact for me.
How to Get Started? Which Book Should You Rad first
This is a difficult part, especially if you are presented with a list of 10 books.
I would suggest start by identifying the areas where you want to improve.
If you're aiming for cleaner code, dive into Clean Code or Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code.
Preparing for interviews? Focus on "Cracking the Coding Interview" and System Design Interview (Volumes 1 & 2)
If you're venturing into software architecture, Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software is a must-read.
Remember, each of these books represents a treasure trove of knowledge that can transform your approach to software engineering. So pick one today and start your journey toward mastery!
All the best with your learning journey !!
Bonus
As promised, here is the bonus for you, a free book. I just found a new free book to learn Distributed System Design, you can also read it here on Microsoft --- https://info.microsoft.com/rs/157-GQE-382/images/EN-CNTNT-eBook-DesigningDistributedSystems.pdf
image_credit --- twitter
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