Dave Schweisguth in a Bottle

Software is a uniquely plastic medium, and the practice of software development changes constantly and quickly. All software engineers are self-taught; even the college-trained learn most of their trade on the job. Though we learn by doing and by watching others and studying their work, I’ve found that reading has consistently been the most powerful way I can understand what I’m doing and learn new methods. So I’m constantly recommending to colleagues one book or another, hoping that they’ll get from it the same value that I did.

To make that easier, here’s a list I’ve been meaning to put together for a long time, of books and other writings that have been essential in shaping my practice of programming. Well-read programmers will find few surprises here, but can be sure that any of these that they’ve missed will be worth their time.

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