Kernel Hacker's Bookshelf: The Practice of Programming

Kernel Hacker's Bookshelf: The Practice of Programming

Posted Aug 7, 2008 3:25 UTC (Thu) by topher (guest, #2223)
Parent article: Kernel Hacker's Bookshelf: The Practice of Programming

I just want to throw in a quick comment on this great book. Of all the programming books I have, this one is one of my favorites. Not only is it extremely readable, but it's like taking years of real world programming experience and distilling it into a book.

I'm of the opinion that schools and universities should require all computer science students to read this book, and employers should require Jr. programmers and programmers with less than 5 years experience all programmers that work there read it.

One other note, pay attention when you read it. You'll learn more than you think. It's a little surprising how many cocky coders will barely skim over it, then claim that they already know everything in it, and learned nothing from it. Interestingly, those people are the one I most frequently see making many of the mistakes that the book teaches you about.

Thanks for the review. This underrated book seems to frequently get lost in comparison to the better known Code Complete and The Pragmatic Programmer. While there is definitely some overlap between the three, I think there's easily enough really good material in each that they are all absolutely worth reading.

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Absolutely!

I can't believe I forgot to mention that one.  Programming Pearls should definitely be on any
programmer's bookshelf.