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Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction, Second Edition ****-

Code Complete: A Practical Handbook of Software Construction, Second Edition By Steve McConnell
Published July 2004
List Price: $49.99, Your Amazon.com Price: $27.89

Amazon.com Sales Rank: 3,142
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Summary:
Code Complete is a language-independent guide to developing solid software engineering skills.  It covers programming style, design issues, the software development cycle, and more.

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20 Comments

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Mithrandir
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
When one of my software engineering classes required this book as a textbook, I said "GREAT!". I had been trying to find a reason to buy it for a long time.

I can honestly say that this has been the most useful college textbook I've ever read. Ironic how it was also the cheapest as well. This review is for the first edition.
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Raskolnikov
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
I have a degree in Computer Science and have been programming for years. Before reading my this book I thought I was writing high quality, human readable code. After reading this book all my old code looks mediocre at best. This book will change the way you think about writing quality code.

Code Complete is an excellent title as every other sofware engineering book I read focused on high level design and almost completely ignored actual construction of code. They assumed that any competent coder could mechanically translate a good design into good code. Nothing can be further from the truth. Writing quality code requires a great deal of knowledge, effort and creativity.

Everyone who programs should read this book. This review is for the first edition.
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wolverine
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
There comes a time when you think you may have dominated a certain programming language. If you think you can't get better at it, read this book. Warning: it's *very* addictive. This review is for the first edition.
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Kylotan
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
I'm going to dissent a little from the general opinions and say this: while this book is essential for pretty much every programmer, it's not one you'll find yourself needed to reread. Personally I was already programming pretty much the way the book describes and therefore didn't get much use out of it. However, most people could really do with reading this book as it teaches good coding practices; something that probably 90% of programmers lack. The result is code that is easier to read, easier to understand, easier to maintain and easier to debug. This review is for the first edition.
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wapcaplet
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
A friend of mine laughed at me when I told her I was reading a book by a guy from Microsoft which had tips on how to write good code. It covers everything, from how to write good comments, code formatting, logical arrangement and ordering of expressions, the whole works. It's also written with enough humor to keep it all from being dry and boring. Definitely a must-read! This review is for the first edition.
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Coconut
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
This is the best book available to teach good programming techniques. Buy it now if you EVER plan on programming ANYTHING. Will teach you techniques that will save you time and money.

-Brent Robinson This review is for the first edition.
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gimp
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
One of the few book in my quickly growing collection that imparts more that just technical skills, more a form of programmer wisdom. Unlike the majority of my books this text offers advice that is making me a better programmer, rather than just adding to my technical skills. I'm amazed a the number of examples of bad coding practices that seem to be precisely pointing a finger in my direction.

Not only do you learn what good coding practices are but why they are good, which IMHO is even more valuable.
I can see this book sitting at the top of my pile for quite a while... This review is for the first edition.
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Guardian_Light
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
This book brings new meaning to the industry term 'software construction'. It includes a full treatment of how to design modules, routines, and statements. Not to mention all the coverage of effective variable use, code organization, debugging and so much more. Contrary to some software books, this one stands the test of time, and is to be considered invaluable to any software developer. This review is for the first edition.
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LaughingD
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
If you're a programmer, you MUST have this book on your shelf. Not only that, you MUST read it. If you follow the practices in this book, your code will have fewer bugs, it will be easier to understand, and no one will laugh at you when you pull your code out in a code review. This review is for the first edition.
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Kevin Hawkins
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and still go back to it every once in a while to keep myself in check. I think this is a must for anyone serious about programming as a lifestyle. This review is for the first edition.
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Dave Astle
Dec 31 1979 06:00 PM
This is an essential book for any programmer. As the name implies, it covers coding practices and standards. If you've ever looked at code you wrote 6 months ago and had a hard time figuring it out, this book is for you. If you ever want to work as part of a programming team, this book is for you. If you are reading this, this book is for you. ;<) This review is for the first edition.
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masonium
Apr 27 2003 05:19 PM
great book. It's not confined to being linear, so you can skip around and read the chapters that interest you without having to read the other stuff. The book is written in an easy to read format. Recommended for all programmers. This review is for the first edition.
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Mystery Man
May 20 2003 10:48 AM
This book is the definative reference to software construction. A timeless classic, this book will change the way you approach software construction issues at every phase of development. A must have for a programmer of any field. This review is for the first edition.
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zfod
Jun 09 2003 09:26 PM
This book is solid and will teach you many, many valuable lessons.

However, I'm rating it an 8 because this book needs a new owner. Someone needs to snag ownership of this bad boy and update it without Pascal and other useless examples ( IMO ). The concepts age fairly well, but if it was updated for C/C++ and Java I think it would be that much more useful. I don't see this book being able to keep its solid stranglehold in this area within 2 - 3 years from now unless it is updated. This review is for the first edition.
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drowner
Mar 13 2004 11:26 AM
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bytecoder
Sep 12 2004 07:51 AM
This is, without a doubt, the best programming book I have ever read. It got me out of the slum I had been in, and so I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in programming.
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bytecoder
Mar 25 2005 07:13 AM
This book is probably the only book I ever reread. It was the best $50 I ever spent :)
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Metorical
Nov 21 2005 04:21 AM
A great read but not essential. This book is for the intermediate/advanced programmer who is writing a lot of code on a daily basis.

I can't fault the content though.
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necreia
Jan 09 2006 09:15 AM
This is an all-in-all great book. I was supprised at the number of mistakes I was really making in design before reading this.
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Shiny
Aug 21 2007 06:12 PM
Best book on software construction (the act of programming and 'building' software) around. McConnell gives lucid examples in multiple languages in order to encourage people to broaden their knowledge. Takes the stuff professors like to say is best and mixes it with industry-standard practices to give even new programmers a huge head start.

If you're a programmer, you should own this book.

~Shiny.

Note: This review is for the second edition (2004)

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