Ask HN: What are some good books about non-code elements of software?

8 pointsidolaspecus4y ago11 comments

I'm thinking of a book like Working Effectively With Legacy Code but that deals more with things like documentation, specification, code review, etc. I'd like the book to help with the following scenario: given some completely "naked" codebase, what things (whether they're specs, docs, comments, whatever) need to be added to the codebase before you'd consider it "high-quality"?

11 comments

mssundaram4y ago

"The Pragmatic Programmer" may be useful to you. It's dated but still relevant, and it was recently revised.

idolaspecusOP4y ago

This is one of those books I’ve always meant to read but never have. I guess the time is now. Thanks for the suggestion.

mssundaram4y ago

There is an Audible version as well

ElectricMind4y ago

I suggest "Making better software" documentary on Amazon Prime by Joel Spolsky. Also you can read his blog on [0]

Huge respect for him. Kind of dream manager you want :)

[0] https://www.joelonsoftware.com/

macando4y ago

"Clean Architecture" by Robert C. Martin.

100011_1000014y ago

I would add Clean Code. It's Java centric but a lot of the ideas can be used in any language, even though it can probably all be condensed to "everything should do a single thing and no more"

macando4y ago

Yeah, single responsibility principle is the key takeaway from that book. Clean Code is a must for all programmers and I can recommend it as a prequel to CA. It's written by the same author after all.

I have a feeling the OP is looking for a book about software development in a broad sense.

yuppie_scum4y ago

Honestly, the Google SRE book as well.

sloaken4y ago

Based on your entry, I looked it up and found this page with 3 (FREE) books: https://sre.google/books/

100011_1000014y ago

Not the person that you replied to, but he probably means the book on the right. It's a good recommendation especially if you are trying to understand how and why DevOps / SRE works and why it's important.

yuppie_scum4y ago

The Phoenix Project

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

Ask HN: What are some good books about non-code elements of software?

8 pointsidolaspecus4y ago11 comments

11 comments

mssundaram4y ago

"The Pragmatic Programmer" may be useful to you. It's dated but still relevant, and it was recently revised.

idolaspecusOP4y ago

This is one of those books I’ve always meant to read but never have. I guess the time is now. Thanks for the suggestion.

mssundaram4y ago

There is an Audible version as well

ElectricMind4y ago

I suggest "Making better software" documentary on Amazon Prime by Joel Spolsky. Also you can read his blog on [0]

Huge respect for him. Kind of dream manager you want :)

[0] https://www.joelonsoftware.com/

macando4y ago

"Clean Architecture" by Robert C. Martin.

100011_1000014y ago

I would add Clean Code. It's Java centric but a lot of the ideas can be used in any language, even though it can probably all be condensed to "everything should do a single thing and no more"

macando4y ago

I have a feeling the OP is looking for a book about software development in a broad sense.

yuppie_scum4y ago

Honestly, the Google SRE book as well.

sloaken4y ago

Based on your entry, I looked it up and found this page with 3 (FREE) books: https://sre.google/books/

100011_1000014y ago

yuppie_scum4y ago

The Phoenix Project

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse