Clean Code by Robert C. Martin
After visiting Devoxx a few weeks ago, I bought myself Uncle Bob’s new book ‘Clean Code‘. And I recommend it to everyone who’s involved into software development.
In the first place the developers, so that they would finally know the ‘what’ and understand the ‘why’ about a lot of things that they should do everyday. And please folks, do not skip any pages. Read it from the introduction till the last page. You should study it, test your own handling during the day against it. Reflect upon it. After a few weeks the book should be worn out and the handling in your fingers.
Managers also, please read the book. You might not have to study it as thoroughly, but you will learn why we stupid developers can be so stupid. You will also learn why we say no sometimes and you’ll appreciate us for doing so. You’ll understand better what is so time consuming when you ask a new feature and you might even give us time to clean up the crap one of our predecessors wrote (given the fact we studied the book – and we understood it all -, we promise we won’t write crap anymore).
The reason why I am so fond of this book, is that there finally is a base to start with. Something you can give a starter coming from school, or better, that can be taught in schools and universities. There is no longer any excuse to be (or act) ignorant. Also, I feel finally supported in my daily battle against crappy code. I see it everyday and everyday I’m advocating the same basic stuff and nobody listens (I know.. that can have other reasons as well..), but now it’s in the book.
Finally, the book is written in the spirit of the craftsmanship manifesto. Something everyone involved in software engineering should care about. And if you’re not, do the brave ones a favor and please quit. ‘Cause you make us look like idiots.
So, please, read it and act accordingly.
Yes, I am begging you.