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Jan
19
Written by:
Brian Swanson
1/19/2005 3:00 AM
I often get accused of liking every movie I see, or loving every book I read. It’s not true…I’m just very vocal about the movie/books that I do enjoy (which happens to be quite a few of both ).
I just finished reading Joel On Software: and on diverse and occasionally related matters that will prove of interest to software developers, designers, and managers, and to those who, whether by good fortune or ill luck, work with them in some capacity
Whew! That’s a mouthful…
This is by far the BEST book I’ve read in regards to the "business" of software development. Joel Spolsky, the author, has a world-renowned blog JoelOnSoftware. He started the blog in early 2000 and it has quickly become a popular destination for programmers everywhere. The book is a compilation of some of the more popular article/rants that Joel has posted on his blog, delivered in an easy to read style that makes even the most boring topics interesting and funny. Joel has worked for major companies like Microsoft and Juno, and now runs his own successful software development company, FogCreek Software, which means that he's speaking about the topics in the book from an "I've been there before" point of view.
This book is (as the LONG title describes) for anyone who ever has, currently is, or ever will work with a software development team.
Are you in charge of a team of developers developing an in-house widget system for your company? This book is for you.
Are you a project manager who has to design the specs for a software system to be built? This book is for you.
Are you an entry-level programmer working at NextBig.com on a team with 10 other programmers? This book is for you.
Are you the CEO/COO of a company who has a software development staff? This book is DEFINITELY for you.
While the first chapter or so may be a bit over the head of a non-programmer, you need to push through and understand this is only a building block for the rest of the book. Joel covers topics from what makes a language good or bad, why Netscape lost their dominate market share in the web browser market, the reason that someone interviewing for a software developer position should ALWAYS be made to write some code during the interview. Most importantly, he talks about the good and bad decisions companies make when developing software. How does your software development team score on the JoelTest? (you’ll have to read his blog or the book to find out about the JoelTest, it’s important!)
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3 comment(s) so far...
re: Book #2 in "Purple Ant Book Series"
cool, when i get through code complete, i'll start on this!
By chinese rice cake on
1/19/2005 3:06 AM
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re: Book #2 in "Purple Ant Book Series"
(perhaps i'll borrow your copy for a "test" chapter. your suggestions are usually pretty on point (no example comes to mind of the contrary), but are also numerous. so don't take a declination as a sign of disinterest).com
By The Original Java Poet on
1/19/2005 4:15 AM
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re: Book #2 in "Purple Ant Book Series"
to the original javapoet:
dude, i am easy to convince! all I read was This book is DEFINITELY for you, and i am hooked!
By chinese wheat thins on
1/19/2005 9:42 AM
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