The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#1

Post by ahalbert2 » Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 8:46 PM UTC

The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)
ahalbert.com

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#2

Post by rendleflag » Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 9:45 PM UTC

I bought the first edition when it came out. I was just 3 years into my SW development career and it provided a lot of good advise. I bought the second edition and enjoyed it, but the first edition had a special place in my heart.

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#3

Post by hamasho » Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 10:10 PM UTC

When I started a programming job, I read this book, Clean Code, and Code Complete. Code Complete is kinda old but still great, Clean Code is not bad but it's Java centric and has a lot of questionable tips. But The Pragmatic Programmer never gets old.

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#4

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 10:11 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#5

Post by r2ob » Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 10:22 PM UTC

The best programmer book i've ever read

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#6

Post by dripton » Sun, Nov 16, 2025, 10:47 PM UTC

A great book, but I read it too late, after I had already learned pretty much everything it says the hard way. So it was one of those books I enjoyed because it reinforced what I already thought, but didn't really get much from. Wish it had been written a decade earlier.

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#7

Post by sfpotter » Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 12:33 AM UTC

Alternatively, consider being an idealistic programmer!

  - Fall in love with a single topic, regardless of how trendy.
  - Learn as much as you can about it.
  - Keep learning about it.
  - Learn about it some more.
  - Spend years of your life doing nothing but breathing and thinking about this one topic.
  - Let fads and fashion pass you by.
  - Don't settle for good enough. Try to build the best version possible.
  - Choose where you work based on your ability to reach staggering new heights with this one topic, and disregard whether it seems like an amazing CV line item.
  - Fail to even notice fads and fashions passing you by.
  - Become a master.

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#8

Post by Xss3 » Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 12:36 AM UTC

An incredible book. One very near and dear to my heart. It always sits on the bookshelf behind me with pride of place in every video call or conference.

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#9

Post by dshah » Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 12:43 AM UTC

One of my favorite books on the actual practice of programming.

The other one is "Code Complete".

Re: The Pragmatic Programmer: 20th Anniversary Edition (2023)

#10

Post by manoDev » Mon, Nov 17, 2025, 12:46 AM UTC

sfpotter wrote: post #7

Alternatively, consider being an idealistic programmer! - Fall in love with a single topic, regardless of how trendy. - Learn as much as you can about it. - Keep learning about it. - Learn about it some more. - Spend years of your life doing nothing but breathing and thinking about this one topic. - Let fads and fashion pass you by. - Don't settle for good enough. Try to build the best version possible. - Choose wher…

Yeah, we need both types.