Re: Timeless Classics of Software Engineering

From: Alan Gauld <alan.gauld_at_btinternet.com>
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 2004 20:59:14 GMT
Message-ID: <l94gg0tsmi2862momjicobdgukure1tkc6@4ax.com>

On 28 Jul 2004 08:04:43 -0700, stevejohnson1972_at_yahoo.com (Steve Johnson) wrote:
> I'd like to hear thoughts on what books, in your opinion, are true > classics in the field of software engineering.

Most have already been mentioned but I'll give my list anyway...

MMM by Brooks - undoubtedly deserves top place
Peopleware by Lister - would be close too.
Code Complete by McConnell - should be required for coders
Programming Pearls by Bentley - Timeless wisdom
Structure & Interpretation of Computer Programs by Sussman et al

More debatably:

Knuth's 3 volumes on algorithms - but more people talk about them than have read them I suspect!
The C Programming Language by K&R
UML distilled by Fowler might make it into the classics category if UML really does become the standard notation.
OOD (first editoon) by Booch - stands the test of time despite the notational changes to UML.
Design Patterns by the GoF might work too if OO manages to stick as the dominant methodology

Alan G.
Author of the Learn to Program website
http://www.freenetpages.co.uk/hp/alan.gauld Received on Wed Jul 28 2004 - 15:59:14 CDT