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Dan Grossman · Jun 23, 2006, 08:54

What language-independent application design books would you recommend?

I found these to be worthwhile reading:
The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master
Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application

chris_fuel · Jun 23, 2006, 09:00

Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software

Though be ready, it requires suitable background, but is the source of information for pretty much any other site/book on design patterns.

hifigrafix · Jun 23, 2006, 09:03

Non-Development Book:

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

It's great for helping branch your brain out and think about "design" stuff.

stymiee · Jun 23, 2006, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Grossman

What language-independent application design books would you recommend?

The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master
Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software
Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application

Have you read any of these, Dan?

Dan Grossman · Jun 23, 2006, 09:16

All three. I'll edit my post to be more clear. Anything else I should buy?

stymiee · Jun 23, 2006, 09:19

Of the three, which would recommend most?

coo_t2 · Jun 23, 2006, 09:38

I've only bought 2 so far. "The Object-Oriented Thought Process", which is a great introduction to OOP. It uses a very generic Java, easy to understand. And "Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture". I mostly pick up stuff from forums and sites like Sun's and JavaWorld. I really need to get the Gang of Four book. :/

sweatje · Jun 23, 2006, 11:35

You might want to look at:

Domain Driven Design by Eric Evans
Object Design by Rebecca Wirfs-Brock

And one that has not been published yet but looks very interesting: http://xunitpatterns.com/

been · Jun 23, 2006, 11:50

From my bookshelf:

Read & recommended:
. The pragmatic programmer (Thomas & Hunt)
. Refactoring (Fowler)
. Patterns Of Enterprise Application Architecture (Fowler)
. Design Patterns (GoF)
. Analyse & Ontwerp (Inghelbrecht - My A&D book from school)

Reading & recommended:
. Applying UML & patterns (Larman)
. Code Complete (Mc Connell)

To read & probably recommended:
. Refactoring databases (Ambler & Sadalage)
. Testing Object Oriented sytems (Binder)

The GoF book is showing its age though.

Dan Grossman · Jun 23, 2006, 20:37

Oh, I almost forgot one. This one's not my top pick, but it was a good introduction to OO, with examples in Java. Some discussion of things other books didn't touch on much like frameworks and multithreading.

Object-Oriented Design & Patterns (Horstmann)

If I had to choose, Design Patterns is the most important reading. I think everyone should at least be familiar with every pattern in there, even if they never use many of them. It gives you a vocabulary to talk to other programmers about design.

I've also got a copy of Practical Web Database Design which is a book r937 co-authored. It's fairly introductory in nature and I don't have any other database books to compare it to, but thought I'd mention it anyway. It's database-independent so the design principles can be applied to any relational DB.

stymiee · Jun 23, 2006, 21:03

Shame Amazon isn't offering Rudy's book anymore.

I'm just about to polish off a 1,200 page MySQL and wasn't sure what to read next. Might have to make it that patterns book.

r937 · Jun 23, 2006, 21:25

thanks guys

hey maybe i should write a new one, eh

coo_t2 · Jun 23, 2006, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by stymiee

I'm just about to polish off a 1,200 page MySQL ...

Which one?

coo_t2 · Jun 23, 2006, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by r937

thanks guys

hey maybe i should write a new one, eh

I'd buy it, man.

NetNerd85 · Jun 24, 2006, 03:00

The Object-Oriented Thought Process, 2nd Edition by Matt Weisfeld is brilliant for OO concepts.

yjanse · Jun 24, 2006, 03:12

php|architect's Guide to PHP Design Patterns is a very good read, as well as the GOF book mentioned above. I also have the Pragmatic Programmer on my shelf, but it is a bit outdated.
I hope to read Fowler's book someday, but time isn't on my side

stymiee · Jun 24, 2006, 07:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by coo_t2

Which one?

MySQL (3rd Edition)

coo_t2 · Jun 24, 2006, 09:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetNerd85

The Object-Oriented Thought Process, 2nd Edition by Matt Weisfeld is brilliant for OO concepts.

I think it's the best tech book I've ever read. It's only a very basic introduction to OOP but it is done in such a clear way, that your average third grader could understand it. And it only takes a few reading hours to get through the whole thing.

coo_t2 · Jun 24, 2006, 09:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by stymiee

MySQL (3rd Edition)

/

?

stymiee · Jun 24, 2006, 09:15

Definitely a good read.

Fenrir2 · Jun 25, 2006, 13:13

Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs: Uses scheme, but it's ideas are language independent:

http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html

I'm reading it, and it's *very* good. Teaches you how to design abstractions in your software to achieve high quality code.

How to Design Programs: I haven't read this yet, but I'm going to read it after SICP:

http://www.htdp.org/

Here is a discussion about good programming books:

http://programming.reddit.com/info/3zl7/comments

jylyn · Jun 25, 2006, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Grossman

Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application

I was a bit disappointed with this one... I usually like to read a book before I decide whether or not to buy it but didn't have the option here as it was only sold online. Found this to be pretty basic and not hugely useful.

Dan Grossman · Jun 25, 2006, 18:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by jylyn

Found this to be pretty basic and not hugely useful.

I found it to be less about advice as motivation to build a web app and get it out without endless delays.

malikyte · Jun 26, 2006, 09:46

Another book that has gotten great reviews for those of you who are still not up-to-speed with design patterns (i.e.: me) is the Head First series of books on Design Patterns. From every book reviewing site I've seen it has great reviews, even from those who are more familiar with design patterns because it discusses patterns in an informal, down to earth way, making it very easy to understand.

Head First Design Patterns

deuce868 · Jun 26, 2006, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by malikyte

Another book that has gotten great reviews for those of you who are still not up-to-speed with design patterns (i.e.: me) is the Head First series of books on Design Patterns. From every book reviewing site I've seen it has great reviews, even from those who are more familiar with design patterns because it discusses patterns in an informal, down to earth way, making it very easy to understand.

Head First Design Patterns

I read that and actually didn't like it. They try to take the examples and make them so informal I found them difficult to apply. I don't often think of parts of my project as a waiter, customer, cook etc.

Maybe that's just me though.

Jun 23, 2006, 08:54	#1
Dan Grossman Follow Me On Twitter: @djg Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Philadephia, PA Posts: 19,741	Design and Theory Books What language-independent application design books would you recommend? I found these to be worthwhile reading: The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web application

Jun 24, 2006, 03:12	#16
yjanse SitePoint Addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 240	php\|architect's Guide to PHP Design Patterns is a very good read, as well as the GOF book mentioned above. I also have the Pragmatic Programmer on my shelf, but it is a bit outdated. I hope to read Fowler's book someday, but time isn't on my side Last edited by yjanse; Jun 24, 2006 at 03:14. Reason: Haha, didn't see Jason Sweat already posted here :)

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Jun 23, 2006, 09:00	#2
chris_fuel SitePoint Wizard Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,837	Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software Though be ready, it requires suitable background, but is the source of information for pretty much any other site/book on design patterns.

Jun 23, 2006, 09:03	#3
hifigrafix SitePoint Evangelist Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 574	Non-Development Book: The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards It's great for helping branch your brain out and think about "design" stuff.

Jun 23, 2006, 09:16	#5
Dan Grossman Follow Me On Twitter: @djg Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Philadephia, PA Posts: 19,741	All three. I'll edit my post to be more clear. Anything else I should buy?

Jun 23, 2006, 09:19	#6
stymiee He's No Good To Me Dead Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Slave I Posts: 24,095	Of the three, which would recommend most?

Jun 23, 2006, 09:38	#7
coo_t2 Non-Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dog Street Posts: 1,823	I've only bought 2 so far. "The Object-Oriented Thought Process", which is a great introduction to OOP. It uses a very generic Java, easy to understand. And "Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture". I mostly pick up stuff from forums and sites like Sun's and JavaWorld. I really need to get the Gang of Four book. :/

Jun 23, 2006, 11:35	#8
sweatje eschew sesquipedalians Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Iowa, USA Posts: 3,779	You might want to look at: Domain Driven Design by Eric Evans Object Design by Rebecca Wirfs-Brock And one that has not been published yet but looks very interesting: http://xunitpatterns.com/

Jun 23, 2006, 11:50	#9
been SitePoint Addict Join Date: May 2002 Location: Gent, Belgium Posts: 283	From my bookshelf: Read & recommended: . The pragmatic programmer (Thomas & Hunt) . Refactoring (Fowler) . Patterns Of Enterprise Application Architecture (Fowler) . Design Patterns (GoF) . Analyse & Ontwerp (Inghelbrecht - My A&D book from school) Reading & recommended: . Applying UML & patterns (Larman) . Code Complete (Mc Connell) To read & probably recommended: . Refactoring databases (Ambler & Sadalage) . Testing Object Oriented sytems (Binder) The GoF book is showing its age though.

Jun 23, 2006, 20:37	#10
Dan Grossman Follow Me On Twitter: @djg Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Philadephia, PA Posts: 19,741	Oh, I almost forgot one. This one's not my top pick, but it was a good introduction to OO, with examples in Java. Some discussion of things other books didn't touch on much like frameworks and multithreading. Object-Oriented Design & Patterns (Horstmann) If I had to choose, Design Patterns is the most important reading. I think everyone should at least be familiar with every pattern in there, even if they never use many of them. It gives you a vocabulary to talk to other programmers about design. I've also got a copy of Practical Web Database Design which is a book r937 co-authored. It's fairly introductory in nature and I don't have any other database books to compare it to, but thought I'd mention it anyway. It's database-independent so the design principles can be applied to any relational DB.

Jun 23, 2006, 21:03	#11
stymiee He's No Good To Me Dead Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Slave I Posts: 24,095	Shame Amazon isn't offering Rudy's book anymore. I'm just about to polish off a 1,200 page MySQL and wasn't sure what to read next. Might have to make it that patterns book.

Jun 23, 2006, 21:25	#12
r937 SQL Consultant Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 31,026	thanks guys hey maybe i should write a new one, eh

Jun 24, 2006, 03:00	#15
NetNerd85 SitePoint Zealot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 153	The Object-Oriented Thought Process, 2nd Edition by Matt Weisfeld is brilliant for OO concepts.

Jun 24, 2006, 09:15	#20
stymiee He's No Good To Me Dead Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Slave I Posts: 24,095	Definitely a good read.

Jun 25, 2006, 13:13	#21
Fenrir2 SitePoint Guru Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 987	Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs: Uses scheme, but it's ideas are language independent: http://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/full-text/book/book.html I'm reading it, and it's very good. Teaches you how to design abstractions in your software to achieve high quality code. How to Design Programs: I haven't read this yet, but I'm going to read it after SICP: http://www.htdp.org/ Here is a discussion about good programming books: http://programming.reddit.com/info/3zl7/comments

Jun 26, 2006, 09:46	#24
malikyte SitePoint Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: USA, Saratoga Springs, NY Posts: 304	Another book that has gotten great reviews for those of you who are still not up-to-speed with design patterns (i.e.: me) is the Head First series of books on Design Patterns. From every book reviewing site I've seen it has great reviews, even from those who are more familiar with design patterns because it discusses patterns in an informal, down to earth way, making it very easy to understand. Head First Design Patterns