From Book News, Inc.
For this second edition of a practical guide to programming, McConnell, a software engineer, describes new practices and offers hundreds of new code samples illustrating software construction. Capturing the body of knowledge available from research, academia, and everyday commercial practice, he synthesizes techniques and principles for programmers of every experience level, development environment, or project size. Material is in sections on laying the foundation, creating high-quality code, variables, statements, code improvements, system considerations, and software craftsmanship. Numerous tips, key points, and checklists are included.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Book Description
For more than a decade, Steve McConnell, one of the premier authors and voices in the software community, has helped change the way developers write code--and produce better software. Now his classic book, CODE COMPLETE, has been fully updated and revised with best practices in the art and science of constructing software. Whether you're a new developer seeking a sound introduction to the practice of software development or a veteran exploring strategic new approaches to problem solving, you'll find a wealth of practical suggestions and methods for strengthening your skills. Topics include design, applying good techniques to construction, eliminating errors, planning, managing construction activities, and relating personal character to superior software. This new edition features fully updated information on programming techniques, including the emergence of Web-style programming, and integrated coverage of object-oriented design. You'll also find new code examples--both good and bad--in C++, Microsoft(r) Visual Basic(r), C#, and Java, though the focus is squarely on techniques and practices.


About the Author
Steve McConnell is Chief Software Engineer at Construx Software where he oversees Construx's software engineering practices. Steve is the lead for the Construction Knowledge Area of the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) project. Steve has worked on software projects at Microsoft, Boeing, and other Seattle-area companies. Steve is the author of Rapid Development (1996), Software Project Survival Guide (1998), and Professional Software Development (2004). His books have twice won Software Development magazine's Jolt Excellence award for outstanding software development book of the year. In 1998, readers of Software Development magazine named Steve one of the three most influential people in the software industry along with Bill Gates and Linus Torvalds. Steve was also the lead developer of SPC Estimate Professional, winner of a Software Development Productivity award. Steve has worked in the desktop software industry since 1984 and has expertise in rapid development methodologies, project estimation, software construction practices, performance tuning, system integration, and third-party contract management.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
For ten years, Steve McConnell￯﾿ﾽs Code Complete has inspired programmers to get better at their profession and has given them powerful insights for doing so. Now, he￯﾿ﾽs thoroughly overhauled Code Complete to reflect all that￯﾿ﾽs happened since 1994. Web programming. Agile and collaborative methods. Patterns. Refactoring.

There are some code examples here -- now in C#, VB.NET, and Java. (And object-oriented techniques are now woven throughout.) But the heart of the book is still how to think more clearly at every level.

How much planning is enough for your project? How do you manage complexity? Choose the right language for the task? Write higher-quality code? Organize it effectively? Cope with the realities of integration? Few books deal well with questions like these. Code Complete, Second Edition does, and it￯﾿ﾽs indispensable. Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2003 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.

ANNOTATION

Excellent exposition of the software development process, specifically the author examines the software construction process itself, based on common commercial practices with a strong emphasis on quality, workflow and scheduling improvements. This practical guide presents effective software development practices for problem definition, requirement analysis, implementation planning, design, construction and integration. Indeed the practical aspects of the entire development cycle are analyzed and explained including testing, maintenance and enhancement. Focuses on data control, quality improvement and craftsmanship, that elusive state that distinguishes professional competence from hacking. Source code is in C and Pascal, replete with "key point" notes and more importantly with "coding horror" analysis. Emphasizes code optimization, testing and troubleshooting for constant quality improvement.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

For more than a decade, Steve McConnell, one of the premier authors and voices in the software community, has helped change the way developers write code—and produce better software. Now his classic book, Code Complete, has been fully updated and revised with best practices in the art and science of constructing software. Whether you're a new developer seeking a sound introduction to the practice of software development or a veteran exploring strategic new approaches to problem solving, you'll find a wealth of practical suggestions and methods for strengthening your skills. Topics include design, applying good techniques to construction, eliminating errors, planning, managing construction activities, and relating personal character to superior software. This new edition features fully updated information on programming techniques, including the emergence of Web-style programming, and integrated coverage of object-oriented design. You'll also find new code examples—both good and bad—in C++, Microsoft® Visual Basic®, C#, and Java, though the focus is squarely on techniques and practices.

SYNOPSIS

Take a strategic approach to software construction-and produce superior products-with this fully updated edition of Steve McConnell's critically praised and award-winning guide to software development best practices.

FROM THE CRITICS

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