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The Software Engineer's Guidebook

engguidebook.com

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Re: The Software Engineer's Guidebook

#3

Post by oneepic »

I've only read the link and the sample pages slightly, but this feels hyperfocused on advancing your career. Somehow the existence of books like these makes me depressed... is that rational? I just picture the future of tech being all about competitive people trying to race through their careers while the rest of the world puts up with their unpolished software.

Re: The Software Engineer's Guidebook

#4

Post by irajdeep »

oneepic wrote: post #3

I've only read the link and the sample pages slightly, but this feels hyperfocused on advancing your career. Somehow the existence of books like these makes me depressed... is that rational? I just picture the future of tech being all about competitive people trying to race through their careers while the rest of the world puts up with their unpolished software.

This is exactly what I was thinking :(. Well put.

Re: The Software Engineer's Guidebook

#5

Post by nico »

It’s my impression, as an engineer, and as expressed in other comments here, that a lot of (most?) engineers rather be doing/making things rather than managing people/processes/politics

I wonder if it’s difficult for companies to find VPs of engineering, staff engineers and engineering managers

Re: The Software Engineer's Guidebook

#6

Post by hideo »

oneepic wrote: post #3

I've only read the link and the sample pages slightly, but this feels hyperfocused on advancing your career. Somehow the existence of books like these makes me depressed... is that rational? I just picture the future of tech being all about competitive people trying to race through their careers while the rest of the world puts up with their unpolished software.

What you described is the present of tech, not the future.

Re: The Software Engineer's Guidebook

#7

Post by Aurornis »

Love the concept, but after reading the sample ( https://pragmaticurl.com/book-sample ) I suspect the target audience is extremely junior people. The sample content starts by explaining things like the difference between backend, frontend, and mobile.

Also the writing style feels reminiscent of what happens when you ask ChatGPT too broad of a question: You get an overly generic response that assumes you’re starting from absolute zero knowledge about anything about the topic. Probably a great book for someone starting from absolute zero industry knowledge who wants each thing explained in the simplest terms possible.

Re: The Software Engineer's Guidebook

#8

Post by Aurornis »

robbiet480 wrote: post #2

Surprised there's no eBook yet (as per the FAQs). Once there is, I'll buy. This looks great!

ebook piracy is rampant among the target audience (young/junior developers who are in education or just starting their career) so I’m sure he doesn’t want to release an ebook until paperback sales decline.

Re: The Software Engineer's Guidebook

#9

Post by janpieterz »

nico wrote: post #5

It’s my impression, as an engineer, and as expressed in other comments here, that a lot of (most?) engineers rather be doing/making things rather than managing people/processes/politics I wonder if it’s difficult for companies to find VPs of engineering, staff engineers and engineering managers

Good ones, that deeply understand a technical subject and complexities, but are also great at the other aspects, are pretty hard to find.
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