Understanding the Professional Programmer

by Gerald M. Weinberg

Consultant and legendary programmer Gerald M. Weinberg offers readers a unique insider's view of the many ways to become a better programmer and to improve job performance.

Organized as a collection of essays about the profession of programming, the book is both provocative and readable. Each chapter concludes with an entertaining and instructive parable.

Anyone interested in becoming a skilled and experienced professional in this sometimes treacherous profession will benefit from Weinberg's insights.
Gerald M. Weinberg, author of The Psychology of Computer Programming, offers readers an insider's view, with suggestions on how to become a better programmer and improve job performance, in a book that's both helpful and a pleasure to read. Learn how to

become a professional

get a little respect

survive in a bureaucracy

think more effectively

discover what kind of thinker you are

envision the future of the professional programmer.

Software developer Daniel Read said of this book: ". . . probably my favorite book on the subject of software development. It is definitely my favorite of Weinberg's many excellent books. I return to this book again and again, and find something new every time. . . .

"Weinberg's gift is inspiring thinking that is outside of one's normal patterns of thought. . . .

"I predict that software developers another twenty years from now will still be reading this book."

Walter Zintz, of Open Computing said "this book is likely to give readers a better start on supervising than the conventional management book would. It mixes knowledge of bottom-line reality with techie ingenuity."

Lorna Kyle of Personal Computer World said ". . . the author has a marvelous knack of mixing humor and serious discussion thereby getting his message across. . . . a very thought provoking book. . . . immensely enjoyable."

Richard E. Biehl of Software Quality Professional said ". . . this book provides practical ideas and insights concerning the 'people problems' of computer programming. The book is organized as a series of short essays, each exploring a concept vital to the advancement of the software professional. For all professional programmers, and especially for their managers. . . . Weinberg's book challenges professionals to reflect on and share their own meta-programs and principles."

System Development Magazine said: "If you are a programmer or manage programmers, or indeed just associate with programmers, this is a book that you should read. . . . turn to any one of the essays, and find a thought-provoking idea."

Genres: Nonfiction, Technology, Management

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Gerald Marvin Weinberg (October 27, 1933 – August 7, 2018) was an American computer scientist, author and teacher of the psychology and anthropology of computer software development.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really this book is like waterfall of neverending words and sentences. Author cannot be brief and stick to the point. May be he has something important to say but he hides it behind neverending side stories, memories and unfunny jokes and tails. Stay away from this piece of literature unless you really want to be bored.

[Pavel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books would have been a serial of blog posts if it was written most recently. It is presented as a series of questions and detailed answers.

Similar to Being Geek: The Software Developer's Career Handbook except it is from the previous century.