Ask HN: Which books can help one become a better programmer in any paradigm?

[newsoul]

The answer to this question is generally SICP.

Are there other books of that caliber? Why do you think that the book you mention is good?

[Blackstrat]

I would suggest that it depends on your platform, paradigm, and your experience level. SICP, Clean Code, Code Complete, The Gang of Four, DDIA, CLRS, etc. are all great books but their value, IMO, varies by environment, e.g., perhaps of different value to a web developer vs backend vs full stack. Certainly, these are of differing value to senior developers, who may use something like CLRS as a reference while it’s all “new” to someone just starting out. When I was hiring, I wanted folks who had written a lot of code, completed projects, understood support requirements and so forth. Yes, I asked them about what they had read recently. Yes, I expected them to keep up. But more importantly, show me you can code, explain your code, and deliver. Books help but practice helps more.

[shakezula]

I would heavily recommend Clean Code. Depending on the systems you’re working with, Designing Data Intensive Applications is a great read, too.

[_benj]

Came here to recommend Clean Code too!

Writing code emphatically for others or your future self doesn’t only make for easier to understand codebases but also for codebases that have less nooks and crannies where bugs, logical or technical can hide.

Fully recommend this book!

[pasttense01]

Algorithms are important. The classic work is the Art of Computer Programming by Donald Knuth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Computer_Programmin...

[ddp]

After SICP, I would recommend The Little Schemer https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780262560993

[breckenedge]

https://mapfilterfold.com/books/?genre=programming

[bjourne]

Reading books to become a better programmer is as effective as building muscle by looking at people lifting weights.

[PartiallyTyped]

I really couldn’t resist responding, given [1,2], it seems reasonable that to a degree, watching people lifting weights increases strength.

[1] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-grow-stron...

[2] https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/the-mirror-neuro...

[LEDThereBeLight]

The best way to become better at something quickly is to learn from people who are much better than you. That’s what reading books does.

[is_true]

It's actually the same, you watch others not to excersize but to improve your technique