I've just published my book on Software People -- an insider's look at what programmers are like. It's got the same tacky cover design as the three books already publicly available:
I attempt to cover material in the book that I haven't seen elsewhere. Here are some of the topics:
- A description for outsiders of all the stuff you've got to know in order to be a programmer -- learning a language is just a tiny bit of it!
- A statement of the programmer's dilemma -- how all-consuming mastering even a slice of software usually is, and the difficult trade-off's you're then faced with involving the other skills you need to succeed in an organization and in life.
- A discussion of how there are levels and levels of software skill -- it isn't like learning to drive a car. Similarly with productivity.
- A extensive discussion of the cultural divisions and wars that blaze through the software community, with mutually incompatible "religions" living in separate colonies, looking with disdain and pity at those who follow false gods.
- How people who are excellent at software, far from being honored, are often diminished and marginalized.
- Lots of material about hiring. Who decides, on what basis, common mistakes.
- A discussion of the deep-seated cynicism that infects a large number of programmers.
- Technology organizations, managers and decision making.
- Typical patterns I've seen in software people.
- An extensive discussion, with examples, of the flaws that are characteristic of high-IQ programmers.
- Finally, a discussion of the role of the CEO in a company where software plays a key role.
I've been at work for a long time on my series of books on how to Build Better Software Better. The books in the series have circulated in draft form, and each has undergone multiple revisions over a period of years. I've already released my basic books on Software QA, Software Project Management and Wartime Software. The one on People underwent 9 major revisions. Software People is less technical and more readable by civilians than the others.
I have a couple more that are no longer undergoing revisions and are about ready for general circulation. They are:
- Software Business Strategy. There are some things that are unique to running a software business that apparently are not taught in business schools, and are common errors in the software businesses I see. I spell out the problems and solutions in this book.
- Software Product Design. You'd think we'd have it down by this point. But I see software product design happening all the time, and mistakes made over and over. In this book I describe the best methods for creating successful software products and avoiding the common mistakes.
- Software Evolution. When you see software built over decades and decades, patterns emerge -- and it's far from just onwards and upwards! These software patterns are strong and they repeat, like the well-known Innovator's Dilemma, only much more software-specific. They have amazing predictive power.
I will publish the rest of the books as time permits. Meanwhile, I'm pleased that I've finally released the Software People book for Kindle, more than 12 years after I circulated version 1.
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