A Programming Book without Code!

Yet it's one I recommend. Best of all it's free and online. "How to be a Programmer: A short Comprehensive and Personal Summary" by Robert L. Read. I started programming in 1976 and am still doing it, so in 32 years I've picked up a bit of knowledge along the way and clearly so has the author who has a computer science PhD. At four chapters long, it deals with mostly everything about programming. A typical example which could be me "I was late to appreciate the benefits of source code control systems but now I wouldn't live without one even on a one-person project."

I haven't found my own personal solution to "difficult bug finding" in the book but then its unreasonable to expect it to have everything. My solution is to explain the code to someone. This shifts your point of view and its amazing how often the bug jumps out at you. When you get good at it, you can do it without actually having someone to explain it to. Just pretend its an invisible friend!

The book is just full of excellent advice and I highly recommend it. I've added a permanent link into the free e-books page.

• Link to Free E-Books page